Allt na Ruigh stands in the shadow of Glencoe's Three Sisters. Photo: Paul Bisland CC-BY-SA-2.0

A councillor has suggested a Highland cottage once owned by one of the key figures in Scottish mountaineering should be demolished because it has become the target for vandals.

The two-bedroom house in Glencoe was subsequently bought by Jimmy Savile and has been searched by police investigating allegations of child abuse by the late television presenter.

Allt na Ruigh was once the home of Hamish MacInnes and lies in the shadow of some of Glencoe’s best loved mountains. It overlooks the main road through the glen, just a couple of hundred metres from the starting point for walks into the Lost Valley, Coire Gabhail, and Coire nan Lochan.

Mr MacInnes, who now lives elsewhere in Glencoe, owned the cottage at Allt na Ruigh from 1959. He was a pioneer of climbing, designing the first ever all-metal ice axe, and posted several first winter ascents in Glencoe with Chris Bonington.

He was also a major figure in mountain rescue both in Scotland and internationally.

But his former home has been the subject of three vandalism attacks following revelations of abuse by its subsequent owner Jimmy Savile. Graffiti has been daubed on the white walls of the cottage.

Highland councillor Andrew Baxter said there may now be a case for demolishing Allt na Ruigh, which is currently owned by a charity set up in Savile’s name but which has said will close down following the scandals.

He told BBC Radio Scotland: “There has been lots of talk of alternative uses such as a respite centre, or perhaps a mountain centre to get disabled people into our hills.

“But I feel rather uneasy about some of those options especially considering some of the revelations we have seen in recent weeks.

“If it was the opinion in the local community but to erase the memories of Savile in the glen then perhaps demolition is the only option.”

Northern Constabulary said it was investigating the vandalism attacks on the house.