A former decorated RAF helicopter pilot,[1] he came to public attention after buying Tioram Castle, in Moidart, for £300,000 in 1997.
There followed years of high-profile conflicts with Historic Scotland, Highland Council and other interested parties,[2] including a public inquiry in 2002 and an appeal to the Scottish Government in 2006.
Following a change of personnel at Historic Scotland.,[3] Brown renewed discussions with HS of his plans to reroof and live in Castle Tioram, though these are still at an early stage.
[4] Brown was mostly brought up overseas, in Egypt and Ghana, where his father worked as a civil engineer.
After 20 years in the armed forces, Brown farmed on Loch Lomondside before making a fortune in the air cargo and oil exploration business.