Talks continue over future of Carbisdale Castle
Developers hoping to purchase the Scottish Youth Hostel Association (SYHA) owned castle and turn it into a luxury hotel are being blocked by members of the nearby Culrain community who are objecting to adjacent publicly owned woodland being included in the sale.
Developers say the woodland is needed for gardens and is non-negotiable. Without it, the sale will not proceed.
Highland Council chiefs, enterprise managers and political leaders stepped in this week to mediate between the two sides in the hope of salvaging the project which is regarded as vital to the future prosperity of the area.
Not only would it create up to 90 jobs, but it would bring high-end visitors to Sutherland and safeguard the Grade B listed, 108-year-old castle.
Local authority planning director Stuart Black and area leader Councillor Deirdre Mackay attended a meeting with members of the Culrain community at the village hall at 5pm on Monday.
Also present were MSP Rob Gibson, Highland Councillor George Farlow, who represents the North West and Central Sutherland Ward, and representatives from Forestry Commission Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
The disputed 56-acre parcel of woodland is currently owned by the Forestry Commission. The Culrain community has a long-standing link with the woodland and residents have been considering purchasing it under Right to Buy legislation.
All sides were remaining tight-lipped following the meeting and would only say that further talks had been arranged for next week.
Councillor Mackay said: “It was a constructive meeting and very much focused on finding solutions. The Culrain residents set out their concerns and, with the expertise around the table, we were able to methodically work through their issues.”
She revealed that Mr Black had spoken to the developers – whose names have not been released – following Monday’s round table discussions. A meeting between the Culrain residents and developers is now being arranged.
Councillor George Farlow also said that the meeting had been positive. He told the Northern Times: “I look forward to a positive outcome from the meeting to be held with the developers next week.”
Councillor Farlow added that the Culrain community had thanked Highland Council for its support. Residents had been told that their right of access to the woodland was protected.
A spokesman for the Culrain community said: “I can’t divulge anything about the first meeting on Monday just yet.”
Raymond Notarangelo, of Edinburgh based public relations agency, Holyrood Partnership, the firm acting on behalf of the developers, said no statement was being issued at this stage.
Meanwhile local people are speaking out in support of the developers.
Ardgay and District Community Council released a statement following its meeting this week. It read: “The community of Ardgay and district support the proposed development at Carbisdale Castle and believe that it could be very important for the future prosperity of the area. It would bring visitors and create jobs in our community. A prestigious five-star hotel could put the Kyle of Sutherland on the tourist map.
“We regret that the Culrain & District Hall Committee and the developers have not yet reached an agreement but we hope that this can soon be resolved and both the Carbisdale redevelopment and Culrain’s proposed woodland development can move forward.”
Approached by the Northern Times, Invershin hotelier Cheryl Connelly, said: “I think the majority of local people are fully in favour of this development and are praying that it goes ahead. It sounds an amazing project and one which the community needs. There is no-one else interested in buying the castle.”
