Key facts
- A 639-acre golf resort named gWest, located near Gleneagles in Scotland, is up for sale.
- The course was designed by architect David McLay Kidd and completed in 2009.
- The resort has planning permission for up to 170 residential plots, a hotel, spa, and staff accommodation.
- The property is owned by the UAE's Al Tajir family.
- Knight Frank Edinburgh is handling the sale.
- The resort has been described as a 'ghost course' due to its limited accessibility.
A secluded golf resort in Scotland, known as gWest, is reportedly set to be sold to an overseas buyer for tens of millions of pounds. The 639-acre estate, located near the prestigious Gleneagles, features an 18-hole championship golf course designed by David McLay Kidd and was completed in 2009. Developed by the UAE's Al Tajir family, the resort has been characterized as a 'ghost course' due to its limited public access and shrouded secrecy since its inception.
Despite the course being finished, the ambitious plans for the resort, including a clubhouse shell inspired by 18th-century architect Colen Campbell, have not been fully realized. The property holds planning permission for up to 170 residential plots, a hotel and spa, leisure facilities, and staff accommodation. The Al Tajir family, which includes Mahdi Al Tajir, once named Scotland's richest man, decided to sell due to a combination of factors such as the financial crisis, the Scottish independence referendum, Brexit, and the Covid-19 pandemic, feeling the timing was never right for further investment.
Knight Frank Edinburgh is managing the sale, with partner Euan Kelly noting the rarity of such an opportunity. He anticipates significant global interest in the site, highlighting its potential as a substantial consented resort development in a prime leisure location. The sale could mark a significant step in realizing the site's potential and enhancing Scotland's tourist offerings.