Ruined home of Satanist Aleister Crowley is torched by arsonists

The home of a real-life ‘Wicker Man’ and former Satanist has been torched by arsonists near the shores of Loch Ness in Scotland just a week after a buyer was found. 

Boleskine House in the Scottish Highlands was once the home of Aleister Crowley, who reportedly practised black magic there between 1899 and 1933.

The property was also owned by Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page from 1970 to 1992. The derelict house was put on the market in April this year for £510,000.

Police were called in after fires were spotted around 3.30pm yesterday at two buildings at the deserted site, including the derelict main house and at an external outbuilding.

The estate’s main house has had its interior destroyed by the fire and police believe the fires were deliberately started by arsonists.

Firefighters extinguished the blazes, and nobody was injured, although damage was caused to the buildings. 

Boleskine House in the Scottish Highlands was once the home of Aleister Crowley, who reportedly practised black magic there between 1899 and 1933. The property is pictured ablaze

Calling himself a prophet, Crowley said he would be the one to guide humanity into the so-called Aeon of Horus – an age of spiritual interest and self-realisation. He died at the age of 72 in Hastings, East Sussex in 1947.

Detective inspector Eddie Ross said: ‘We are working with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to establish the full circumstances.

‘Our enquiries are at an early stage, although our initial assessment is that this fire was started deliberately.

‘We would encourage anybody may have seen any activity around Boleskine House or nearby to come forward as soon as they can.

Police were called in after fires were spotted around 3.30pm yesterday at two buildings at the deserted site, including the derelict main house and at an external outbuilding. Firefighters are pictured putting out the flames above

‘It should go without saying that deliberately setting fires is incredibly dangerous as you have limited control over how they may develop.’ 

The 18th Century house was in the midst of a restoration project, with heritage buffs trying to raise £220,000 to bring it back to the original condition.

A spokesman for The Boleskine House Foundation said: ‘It is with great sadness that we report that the remainder of the building’s interior has now been destroyed, and along with it important historical clues to the features of this important piece of Scottish heritage.

‘We would like to thank the fire fighters who put their lives at risk to save what is left of the building. 

‘We can also confirm that this is suspected arson and investigations by the police will be ongoing.’