LOCALS have reacted with a mix of anger and surprise after suggestions that a group of holidaymakers used two helicopters to visit a Glencoe hotel “for breakfast”.
It comes after photos showing the choppers stopping outside the Kingshouse Hotel, next to the river Etive near the Glencoe Mountain Resort, were shared online.
The popular Facebook group Scotland's Scenery, which has more than 760,000 members, saw the images shared on Monday.
“Two helicopters behind the Kingshouse in Glencoe today, seemingly a family popping in for breakfast before heading to Skye…” the person who shared the images wrote.
Others in the comments claimed the group had also been seen at Loch Melfort, a sea loch south of Oban.
The news of the helicopters’ use sparked anger among other members of the group.
“Two helicopters for a family popping in for breakfast??? Pretentious rich bawbags methinks,” one user commented.
“Why couldn’t they use the roads like normal people,” another added.
And a third said: “I gather with the Kingshouse prices these days you’d be able to hire a helicopter if you can afford them.”
A fourth quipped: “Hope they used paper straws for their juice.”
But others were more impressed by the transport, with one writing: “Wouldn't mind coming in by helicopter. What an experience!!”
A second user wrote: “That is their choice. Good luck to them if they can afford it. It provides employment and keeps money moving through the system. Too many Scots are envious of the wealthy.”
They then added: “I do not care about the planet any more. Done my bit. I am 71. It is not my problem.”
Others in the comments raised the case of the Taymouth Castle estate, drawing comparisons with the compound there that is planned for the mega-rich.
As The National previously reported, a magazine from the US firm behind the plans – Discovery Land Company – provides potential members of the Loch Tay “club” with a list of journey times for travelling from there to various tourist destinations by helicopter.
Access to such compounds elsewhere is limited to members – who must purchase a property within its walls (prices vary from $3 million to $50m) and pay an annual fee (typically between $37,500 and $300,000).
However, John Swinney and Pete Wishart have written to the firm to say that no "gated communities" will be allowed in Scotland.
