Once a private playground for royalty, there were fears the dilapidated island fortress would be left to crumble.
But Kinloch Castle on the Isle of Rum has finally gone on the market in a bid prevent it falling further into ruin, with potential buyers being offered a ‘rare opportunity to restore one of Scotland’s most iconic island residences’.
It comes just two years after businessman Jeremy Hosking pulled out of a £10million deal to save the property at the eleventh hour after community leaders successfully lobbied Lorna Slater, the former Scottish minister for biodiversity and the circular economy, to intervene.
Government quango NatureScot, which owns the property, previously said it might have to be demolished unless at least £10million could be found for repairs.
But it has now confirmed the castle, visited by Edward VII, has gone on the market for offers over £750,000 after research found that ‘most islanders agree the building should be sold to be redeveloped and brought back into use’.
The study found that islanders ‘feel that the sale, redevelopment and operational use of the castle will have a positive impact on their community’.
But Chris Donald, NatureScot’s Head of Operations for Central Highland, said: ‘Islanders made it clear that the most important aspect of any sale is a long-term commitment to contribute to the community and nature on the island.’
He added: ‘We are therefore asking prospective buyers to set out, alongside their offer, how they plan to use the castle and grounds and how they will support the nature, sustainability, culture and economy of the Isle of Rum.’
In 2022 investment banker Mr Hosking – a former Tory Party donor whose net worth is estimated to be £380million – revealed his intention was to create a charitable trust to restore the castle so it could be operated as a hotel.
But Mr Hosking slammed the door on a deal, claiming he was ‘fed up being a pawn in a game’ between NatureScot’s ‘sensible head’ and ‘the anarchy head’ of Miss Slater’s department.
He told the Mail at the time that the Greens ‘have completely crushed a conservation project’.
Once a place where countless socialites, aristocrats and royalty went to enjoy lavish parties, the neo-Gothic pile built for playboy industrialist Sir George Bullough in 1900 has fallen into a state of disrepair since it was sold to the state in 1957.
But earlier this year the Scottish Government gave the greenlight for NatureScot to put the 20-bedroomed property on the market.
SNP minister Gillian Martin said in May: ‘All the views collected have helped me reach the decision that NatureScot can proceed to look for a buyer, with certain conditions of sale.’
The castle, which is being sold by Savills, was highlighted on the BBC2 Restoration series in 2003 but failed to win the £3million prize.
However, it caught the then Prince Charles’s interest who called a meeting to investigate a possible £12million restoration package. But his interventions failed to restore the castle.
Mr Donald said: ‘For the right buyer, this offers a rare opportunity to be part of Scotland’s heritage by restoring an iconic building and grounds which are of historical and cultural importance to the Isle of Rum and beyond. We look forward to hearing from prospective buyers and will of course be keeping island residents directly informed of progress.’