Group looking into community buy-out of Inchnadamph Lodge 'likely to proceed' with feasibility study
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Assynt Community Council has been given an update on the progress of a group formed to look into a community buy-out of Inchnadamph Lodge.
Malcolm Bangor-Jones, a community council member who is also part of the buy-out group, gave a short report at the Assynt body's online meeting last week.
He said funding had been put together to pay for a feasibility study.
"They have some money and are likely to proceed with a feasibility study," he said.
The 12-bedroomed Inchnadamph Lodge, on the eastern end of Loch Assynt, near Ardvreck Castle, has been put on the open market by owner Christopher Rix.
Managers of North West Highlands Geopark are particularly concerned by the move, fearing it could lead to a loss of student accommodation in the area.
The lodge has over the years been well used by university geology students visiting the geopark.
Dr Bangor-Jones said the buy-out group involved a wider representation than the geopark and discussion had broadened out as to the community use the property could be put to.
"It includes the geopark. It includes geologists and also includes an Assynt Development Trust representative," he said.
Dr Bangor-Jones continued: "There are issues which have to be resolved and the feasibility study does not necessarily have to provide all the answers - it just needs to look at whether it is a worthwhile option.
"There is a question over which organisation can purchase the building. The geopark is not a candidate. A vehicle has to be found and there are obviously questions about how you would manage such a resource.
"All that has to happen at the moment is that the community council notes the position."
