'Ghost’ Perthshire golf course that has never opened hits the market

A “ghost” golf resort in Perthshire that has been shrouded in mystery has hit the market.

gWest, in Blackford, has 18 holes and extends to around 639 acres.

But since work on the course finish in 2009, the resort has been shrouded in mystery and it has never opened to the public.

No guide price has been disclosed, but offers are invited for the course which was designed by golf course architect David McLay Kidd.

The architect has described the course as “the best inland site I’ve ever seen for a golf course”.

The site was developed by the family of Mahdi Al Tajir, “one of the wealthiest in the UAE”.

The course’s website says it is “Scotland’s best kept secret”.

Located to the west of Gleneagles, in 2020 the site was at the centre of an access row between residents and its billionaire owners.

Property consultants Knight Frank said: “gWest sits in one of Scotland’s best-known golf and leisure corridors, to the west of Gleneagles and between Perth and Stirling.”

It was hoped the resort could compete with Gleneagles, with plans to build luxury homes.

The estate has planning consent in place for “up to 170 residential plots, a hotel and spa, leisure and entertainment facilities, and staff accommodation”.

Euan Kelly, partner at Knight Frank Edinburgh, said: “It is incredibly rare that an opportunity like gWest becomes available.

“We’re expecting a huge amount of interest from across the globe in what could be a once-in-a-lifetime asset: a substantial consented resort development site, with a golf course designed by a celebrated architect, in one of Scotland’s most prestigious leisure locations.

“While the bold ambitions for the site have yet to fully come to fruition, a sale could see them take an important step forward and add another destination to Scotland’s, and Perthshire’s, strong tourist offering.”