A report that will help decide the future of Kinloch Castle on Rum is expected to be published in the autumn, the Scottish Government has said.
Ordered by minister Lorna Slater after a potential sale of the NatureScot property fell through last year, the report is being led by Holyrood’s Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services division and will examine community responses to inform a recommendation on future action.
Research for that recommendation was expected to be conducted between September 2023 and March 2024, per a letter Ms Slater sent to residents in June, but remains on-going.
It is being conducted using a ‘Delphi technique’, which allows for multiple rounds of responses in order to reach a consensus.
AScottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government and NatureScot remain focused on securing a sustainable future for Kinloch Castle.
“Given its significance to the island, and the small population on Rum, the community will be at the heart of next steps in identifying the castle’s future.
“The first stage of a Delphi study which aims to bring the Rum community to a consensus around conditions of sale for Kinloch Castle has begun.
“It is being led by the Scottish Government’s Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services division and a final report is expected to be published this autumn.”
A spokesperson for NatureScot said: “We are still seeking a sustainable future for Kinloch Castle and will continue to work constructively with the community to find a solution that will provide long-term benefits to the Isle of Rum.”
NatureScot has said that although Kinloch Castle is a ‘fabulous asset’ it does not fit into the organisation’s nature-focused brief.
Previous plans to sell the castle to businessman Jeremy Hosking, and for it to be placed into a trust, were initially welcomed but fell apart acrimoniously after concerns about the building’s future brought an intervention from Ms Slater. In turn, Mr Hosking called the process ‘horrible’.
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