Rum's historic castle to be put back on the market

A derelict, publicly-owned castle is to be put back on the market after a previous potential sale collapsed in a row between a millionaire and a Scottish government minister.

Businessman Jeremy Hosking withdrew his bid to buy Rum's Kinloch Castle two years ago, blaming Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater for his decision and describing the sales process as "horrible".

Slater, who was biodiversity minister at the time, had put the sale on hold after Isle of Rum Community Trust raised concerns.

The Scottish government said new research suggested most of Rum's 22 islanders support trying to sell it again.

The vacant Victorian-era former hunting lodge, which is in a poor state of repair, is owned by NatureScot.

The public body also manages most of the island.

The research carried out by the Scottish government's Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) suggested the majority of islanders agreed Kinloch Castle should be sold, redeveloped and brought back into use.

In its report, REAS said islanders had proposed a number of conditions.

These include active community involvement in the property and the new owner adhering to land access rights.

The report said a small number of islanders opposed selling it, preferring instead for the castle to be transferred into community ownership or fall into ruin in a managed way.

Acting net zero secretary Gillian Martin said the Scottish government wanted the community to be "at the heart" of the castle's future.

She said: "All the views collected have helped me reach the decision that NatureScot can proceed to look for a buyer, with certain conditions of sale.

"I recognise that this will likely be disappointing to some, both on and off the island, but I believe that this is the most sensible approach."

Kinloch Castle was built between 1897 and 1900 as a hunting lodge for Lancastrian industrialist George Bullough, who had it luxuriously furnished.

It is the only example of a house designed by Leeming and Leeming, London-based architects specialising in commercial and municipal properties.

The property fell into decline after World War I and was taken over in 1957 by NatureScot's predecessor, the Nature Conservancy Council.

It has required extensive restoration work over the years.

In recent times there was a plan to redevelop it as a 41-bedroom hostel, and a separate proposal to turn it into a museum and visitor attraction at a cost of £13m.

City financier and former Tory donor Jeremy Hosking pulled out of trying to buy the castle in March 2023.

He said his plans to conserve the former hunting lodge had been "completely crushed".

Mr Hosking said he had tried to speak to Ms Slater about the sale but he received no reply.

Isle of Rum Community Trust had raised concerns, including what it said was a lack of information on what Mr Hosking had planned for the building.

The Scottish government said proactive community consultation and participation was key to determining the property's future.