Ewan McGregor denied permission to fix mansion roof
The Star Wars actor wanted to swap the ageing lead roof at his retreat in Perth and Kinross for modern material.
The architect behind the plans said the change to the 18th-century house was justified given the risk of theft.
Documents submitted by the agent David Bell Architects said: 'The building is at high risk due to the value of lead.'
The agent said the planned replacement material, Sarnafil, 'has no resale value, making it a non-target for thieves. The existing lead roof is beyond repair, suffering from fatigue cracking, splits and failed flashings. Patch repairs are no longer viable and have led to water ingress, threatening the historic fabric below.
'Lead theft may also be a recurring issue, particularly on remote or vulnerable buildings such as this, making replacement with like-for-like materials unsustainable from a security perspective.'
Perth & Kinross council rejected the plans, ruling they would not preserve the 'fine detail character and special architectural interest' of the C-listed building.
It said the move would be contrary to the local development plan through the use of 'non-traditional methods and materials'.
The Trainspotting star bought the home in 2023 for £2.35 million after it had been on the market for offers over £2.15 million.
The building dates from 1789 and when advertised for sale had ten bedrooms in the main house with an option to use a dressing room as an additional bedroom. The mansion has more than 15,000 sq ft of living space on three floors including a billiard room and drawing room. It also features a two-bedroom flat, stores and a wine cellar on the lower ground floor.
Set in more than 18 acres of land and gardens, it has a two-bedroom gate lodge and a courtyard of outbuildings, including a game larder and a tennis court.
Since buying the home, McGregor has been given permission to erect a replacement garage and to create a new master bedroom and bathroom suite. He also won a fight to repair 'yellowing' and 'water damage' to the mansion.
•
In December he was given approval to renovate the lodge in the grounds.
McGregor, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars films between 1999 and 2005, is spending extended periods at his property near his hometown of Crieff, Perthshire. In an interview last year, he said: 'I definitely started to feel this pull home. I never saw it coming, it's weird. I think whoever made the world started with Scotland and got it right.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
There's a dangerous type of narcissist you might have never heard of - but she's probably in your life
When most of us picture a narcissist, it's someone who works a room like a pro. The type of person who oozes charm, is dressed to kill, and is very good at making everything about them. Our minds may even pivot to images of slick, self-assured energy of a TV antihero or the big boss who thrives on being the centre of attention. But according to Perth-based dating and relationship expert Louanne Ward, there's another type of narcissist in our midst - and it's far harder to spot. The traits of 'vulnerable' narcissism (also known as covert narcissism), are a far cry from grand gestures, dominating conversations, and public power plays. No, this one hides behind a softer, more 'relatable' mask. 'They might seem shy, socially withdrawn, self-deprecating or even a little insecure,' Louanne told Daily Mail. 'They're the kind of person you'd never imagine could be manipulative. But underneath, the self-focus and hunger for validation is exactly the same as the classic narcissist - 'they just go about getting it differently.' Why women often display the 'quieter' form of narcissism Ward says gender norms play a big role in how narcissism shows up. 'We've been taught that being loud, cocky, or unapologetically self-promoting is unfeminine. So for some women, the drive for attention and approval gets wrapped in humility, sensitivity, or victimhood instead,' she explained. 'It's still about being noticed and valued, just in a package that aligns with what's rewarded in women.' The dating red flags you should never ignore In a partner, however, Louanne warns that vulnerable narcissists can come across as deeply sensitive. They can also trick us by seeming emotionally attuned and even fragile in the early stages of dating - which can make them hard to resist. According to Louanne, some early warning signs include fast-tracked emotional intimacy by sharing deep, vulnerable stories within days of meeting as well as the tell-tale love bombing and sharing endless praise about your soul, your energy, your 'rare' connection. She also listed 'guilt through fragility' which revolves around acting wounded or hurt if you make other plans without them. 'Subtle loyalty tests are also a way of manipulation,' said Louanne. 'They tell tales of past heartbreak and make you promise you'd never do the same.' Other traits include going cold when they don't get their way, feigning sudden 'emergencies' that derail your plans so you'll focus on them, and soft-gaslighting by using terms like: 'that's not how I remember it' or 'you misunderstood me' to make you doubt yourself. How it plays out behind closed doors Once in a relationship, Louanne says the patterns often intensify. Expect scorekeeping, stonewalling, withdrawing affection until you apologise, and rewriting history to make them the victim. Even gentle feedback can result in tearful meltdowns that flip the script and put you in the role of comforter. 'They can also create emotional dependency, convincing you they can't cope without you,' Louanne said. 'It makes you feel guilty or selfish for putting your own needs first.' The manipulation tactics to watch for One of the most common is a term called 'triangulation', which brings a third person into the mix to make you feel insecure or competitive. 'It might be a compliment about an ex, mentioning someone who flirts with them, or comparing you unfavourably to someone else,' Louanne explained. 'The goal is to make you chase their approval. Other tools in the covert narcissist's kit include guilt-tripping, playing the victim to divert attention from your concerns, and the silent treatment to force you to make amends. Why they're so hard to spot, and even harder to leave Louanne says the problem is these relationships don't start out looking toxic. 'They may appear misunderstood, unlucky in love, or just deeply sensitive. You feel needed, and that bond is intense. 'By the time you notice patterns, you've often explained them away.' And because they're often polite, shy or 'nice' in public, friends and family may struggle to believe your side of the story. Can they change? Vulnerable narcissism is often rooted in deep insecurity and shaped by early experiences of feeling unseen or unprotected. 'It's a defence system that says, 'I'll keep you close so you can't hurt me. But I'll still make sure I'm getting my needs met first,' Louanne explained. However she believes change is possible, but it is rare without genuine self-awareness and long-term therapy. 'Narcissistic traits are tied to a fragile sense of self, so feedback can feel like an attack,' she added. If you suspect you're dealing with one, Louanne's advice is clear: track the patterns, set small, firm boundaries, and reality-check your experiences with a trusted friend or therapist. 'It's not about diagnosing them, it's about protecting your emotional space and deciding what's right for you.'
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Horoscope today, August 14 2025: Daily star sign guide from Mystic Meg
OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column is being kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes. Read on to see what's written in the stars for you today. ♈ ARIES March 21 to April 20 Your Pluto problem today could be who to choose to fill an important role in your life – there may be several contenders and the key is to block out loud voices and go for quiet confidence instead. Finding someone to complement, rather than compete with, your personality is a passion quest. 'F' can be the answer. 2 ♉ TAURUS April 21 to May 21 Dreams turn to reality as the moon straddles zones of your private and public selves. Believing in your ability to make your mark is stronger than it's been for weeks, and this deserves to be used by tonight. Mercury can take a home question and answer it in an original way, so don't waste this chance. Get all the latest Taurus horoscope new s including your weekly and monthly predictions ♊ GEMINI May 22 to June 21 Passing control of your future to others may feel an easy option, but it could cause you issues down the line. So do assess how much of your independence you want to give away. It's time to hold tight to what makes you, you. In love, with the moon and sun in sync, two sides of your personality are extra appealing. Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions ♋ CANCER June 22 to July 22 You may sense you have special Jupiter power right now, yet you hesitate to use it as this could mean stepping on to a stage or into a spotlight. Yet your chart shows you have all the skills you need to make this a success. So switch off doubts and let true desire lead you instead. Luck pairs up one-time rivals. Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions ♌ LEO July 23 to August 23 A morning to learn and an afternoon to achieve – this is the zodiac schedule for your day. So instead of putting off a mind-based task a minute longer, get started. You could see positive results by tonight. In love? That old secret could reappear, unless you take steps to share it. Single? A Christmas birthday is your clue. ♍ VIRGO August 24 to September 22 When a face that's so familiar appears with a new style, you can start to see this person differently in passion or professional terms. This may feel unsettling at first, but great things can be ahead for you two, either as a team or separately. You may want home to never change – until you spot a tempting 'H' location. Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions ♎ LIBRA September 23 to October 23 Being truthful in love can mean sharing negative as well as positive feelings. If you know you have been side-stepping this, today can be the catalyst. When you are open with a partner – or yourself – about what you find difficult, what happens next can be surprising. Initial 'M' combined with yours can lead to luck. ♏ SCORPIO October 24 to November 22 If you feel you have reached the limits of a solo fitness quest, finding the right team can give you extra oomph. So stay alert all day for messages or conversations that can highlight how this might happen. A friend who loves to create with their hands can share a business idea that appeals to your head and your heart. Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions ♐ SAGITTARIUS November 23 to December 21 You're ready to shake things up at work but is this the right moment? Taking a short pause in plans can give you space to see that certain people may need a little more time – or your ideas may require adjustment. This is not shirking, but smart. Choosing from a palette of sunshine colours can add luck to your day. Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions ♑ CAPRICORN December 22 to January 20 The best foundation of trust to build on is one you make yourself. So stop expecting others to provide this for you and become your own biggest cheerleader. This could mean giving certain individuals a smaller role in your future, but you sense this is right. Passion power from Mars makes you sexy and bold. Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions 2 ♒ AQUARIUS January 21 to February 18 Family talking should get done in the early part of the day, as later you will be ready for action. From tackling a lengthy list of tasks to sorting out a financial puzzle, when you apply yourself today, you can get results. If you need to leave less determined people behind, you can. Passion appears on a fitness shortlist. Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions ♓ PISCES February 19 to March 20 Telling certain people how much they mean to you may feel risky, but it's worth running with it. Holding true feelings inside can shut others out and limit your chance to fly free. Today, your chart is aligned in favour of emotional sharing and personal triumph.
BBC News
7 hours ago
- BBC News
Robert Burns family flute played again after 150 years
It's been on display in a family museum since the this rare boxwood flute hasn't been played in almost 200 last person to do so was likely its owner, James Glencairn Burns, son of Robert Burns, a talented musician and a passionate advocate for his father's thanks to a grant from the Pilgrim Trust and the Association of Independent Museums, the flute has been restored and is helping raise money for the wider restoration of Ellisland Museum and Farm near Dumfries. Ellisland was the home Burns built for his family, and where he composed over 130 poems and songs including Auld Lang Syne."It's the only instrument that we have in our collection, " says Joan McAlpine, director of the campaign to preserve the Ellisland site."It's a boxwood flute dating from the very early 19th century and we know it belonged to his son who was an accomplished flautist and often performed his father's songs.""So as part of the restoration we took a decision that we wanted it to be restored to a playable condition so that the music that Burns created at Ellisland and passed down to his son could be passed to audiences worldwide who we hope will help us save Ellisland." Restoration began two years ago as Edinburgh-based conservator Lydia Messerschmidt of Phoenix Conservation, with specialist repair work undertaken by early flute expert Robert Biglio of Dickson, curator at the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust said the restoration was complicated because the flute had been stored in the living room of a family home, which had still been in use until 2019."The previous curator lived in the house, as well as looking after the museum. It was exposed to the peat and timber which was burned in the fire so it needed to be thoroughly cleaned up."Flautist Claire Mann had the task of gently reawakening the instrument by playing it for short bursts of time in the "Spence", the room in Ellisland in which it had been stored, and where Burns composed many of his songs between 1788 and 1791. And then came the moment of truth when the flute was played for the first time in 150 years at a private performance in with vocalist Robyn Stapleton and harpist Wendy Stewart, she played a number of Burns works from the Ellisland songbook including Auld Lang Syne, Ye Banks and Braes, and John Anderson, My Jo, all written at the farm which Burns described as "sweet poetic ground"."I mean, with any old instrument you think to yourself, who played this and what kind of music did they play?" says Claire."So for it to be associated with Burns and his family is really he played the melody of old Lang Syne on the flute so I guess to play an instrument in his footsteps is very special." Claire is the only musician with permission to play the historic instrument and the plan is to take the flute on tour as part of a wider fundraising campaign called Saving The Home of Auld Lang Syne which will be launched later this year. It already has support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, South of Scotland Enterprise, Museums Galleries Scotland and the Holywood Trust and has a further seven million pounds to raise."When he lived at Ellisland, Burns focused especially on song, collecting and composing for the Scots Musical Museum," says curator Adam Dickson."Our goal is to make Ellisland a creative hub once more while preserving the buildings, which are currently at risk."This is a very special artefact and to be able to hear it being played again, and playing the music that was created for it. It's a very special moment."
