Danish billionaire buys into Kinross as Jenners moves closer

Scotland’s biggest landowner gains Kinross-shire foothold

Kinross-shire’s new major landowner is moving ahead with the restoration of Edinburgh’s iconic Jenners building as his company Wildland settles into Kinross.

In September, Danish fashion billionaire Anders Povlsen added the historic 17th Century Palladian mansion of Kinross House to a vast and varied portfolio of 13 highland estates and luxury hospitality venues now covering 1% of Scotland’s land mass.

The purchase of the 14-bedroom property and estate within 100 acres of formal gardens, from Yorkshire businessman Donald Fothergill, was concluded with minimum fanfare and announced through Mr Povlsen’s Scottish company, Wildland.

Lochleven Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots was held captive

Jewel

Not only did the Bestseller fashion chief purchase the Sir William Bruce designed house - described as the ‘jewel in Scotland’s architectural crown’ -he also took control of the wider estate encompassing Loch Leven, St Serf’s Island and Castle Island with its 14th Century ruined Castle which housed the imprisoned Mary Queen of Scots in 1567.

In recent years, Kinross House has been used as an exclusive private hire venue following restoration by the Fothergills, who purchased it from long term owners, the Montgomery family, in 2011.

The restoration featured complete removal of the main roof and 140 windows, and famous visitors have included Canadian singer, Justin Bieber, who stayed there while performing his Purpose world tour in 2016.

An artist's impression of how The Jenners Building will look when complete

Scottish icon

With the acquisition of the Kinross-shire gem complete, Anders Povlsen’s other Scottish interests have been making headlines with The Jenners Building in Edinburgh set to be gradually unwrapped over the coming months.

Mr Povlsen bought the A-listed building – a treasured feature of the Edinburgh skyline since the 1800s- through company AAA United in 2017.

A horrific fire in January 2023, which tragically claimed the life of 38-year-old firefighter Barry Martin, has seen the landmark Jenners frontage enveloped in scaffolding since.

However, conservators under the guidance of The David Chipperfield Architects have been working diligently to bring stonework, statues, windows and glass back to life, with work finally to be completed in 2029.

Rejuvenation

Over the coming weeks, visitors to the capital will begin to slowly see the Princes Street building, which will eventually house a 96-bedroom hotel plus boutique retail outlets, emerging from under its covers.

Mr Povlsen, who also has a stake in online fashion concerns, Asos and Zalando as well as financial tech firm, Klarna, said the effort to restore The Jenners Building carried a ‘great deal of responsibility.’

Andrew Keith, Managing Director, called it, ‘a much-loved building that has always belonged to Edinburgh.”

Preserving heritage

Back in Perthshire, Mr Povlsen’s representatives have stated they have no desire to uproot the excellent restorative work carried out by the Fothergills during their 15-year tenure at Kinross House.

Joe Dunn of Wildland said: “Our ambition is not to put our own stamp on Kinross House Estate, but to be good custodians of what is already there – to protect its character, care for its people, buildings, landscapes and wildlife and to contribute to preserving all this for generations to come.”