A Moray couple believe a new attraction with links to one of Shakespeare’s most famous scenes will cast a spell on tourists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The local authority has approved Karen and George Sutherland’s plans to spruce up an “unloved” mound near Brodie and build holiday chalets around it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Macbeth’s Hillock was made infamous in The Bard’s play, as the spot where the tormented protagonist encountered the Three Witches who foretold his fate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr and Mrs Sutherland lodged a proposal to erect five “camping pods” at the foot of the mound earlier this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The plans attracted no objections, and the couple were recently “delighted” to learn they had been approved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yesterday, Mrs Sutherland said she aimed to have the first of the huts in place by summer \u2013 barring any unforeseen toil and trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added: “We were delighted the plans were approved, though I think that now is the scary part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There are still things like building warrants to be sorted out, but it would be nice if we could get a couple of huts up by the summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’ve been amazed by the amount of interest we have had in them, everyone seems to think this is a great idea.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hill, near the A96 Elgin-Inverness road, plays a crucial part in William Shakespeare’s “Scottish Play” and is linked with some of theatre’s most notorious characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Mrs Sutherland believes not enough has been done to promote the spot, and wants to highlight it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added: “Moray has been making a lot of its Macbeth connection, but an awful lot of people don’t know where the hill is or about its significance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It is quite unloved at the moment, so we have some tidying up and planting to do while we get ready to build the huts.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inside each tree-trunk clad chalet there will be a small kitchen, bathroom and shower and dining area, and space to sleep four.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Specialists have designed the pods to resemble 17th century houses with long sloping roofs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A small car park and wooden boundary fences have also been included in the plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Moray Speyside Tourism group credited last year’s Hollywood version of Macbeth with increasing visitor interest in the Forres area by 135%<\/p>\n\n\n\n