The ruler of Dubai has been accused of attempting to "intimidate" Scottish neighbours over plans to build a hunting lodge on his 63,000 acre Highland estate.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, 70, wants to build the six-bed lodge on his 63,000 acre home in Wester Ross.

But neighbours have complained that it will be detrimental to the local community and the beauty of the area with one resident claiming that the Sheikh’s “persistent attempts” to gain planning permission could only be “put down to intimidation”.

Sheikh Mohammed, who recently won planning permission for 28 more bedrooms at the Inverinate retreat, bringing the total to 58, has now revised the blueprints for the lodge for a fourth time, reducing the number of bedrooms from nine.

The lodge, called Ptarmigan, will be used for hunting parties and will also have six bathrooms, a dining room, lounge and a pantry as well as a feature staircase.

The estate, which is the size of 31,500 football pitches, already boasts a 14 bedroom holiday mansion, a triple helipad and a 16-bedroom luxury hunting lodge complete with a swimming pool and gym.