Kinloch Castle on Isle of Rum Sold for Over £750k After Community Approval

Kinloch Castle, a historic 19th-century castle on the Isle of Rum in Scotland, has been put up for sale with offers starting over £750,000 by Scottish government agency NatureScot, which currently owns the property. The castle, once a hunting lodge built between 1897 and 1901 for Sir George Bullough and visited by Edward VII, faces high maintenance costs, prompting the sale as the only viable option for securing necessary investment to prevent further decay. Previous attempts to save the castle included a £10 million bid from businessman Jeremy Hosking, who withdrew his offer after local community concerns led to intervention by Scotland’s biodiversity minister. Research involving island residents revealed broad support for selling the castle to enable its redevelopment and operational reuse, with the community emphasizing the importance of a buyer's long-term commitment to sustaining the island’s nature, culture, economy, and community. Prospective buyers are required to submit plans detailing how they will use the castle and support the island’s sustainability and heritage. The sale represents a rare opportunity to restore one of Scotland’s most iconic island residences while benefiting the small Isle of Rum community, known for its remote location, dark sky sanctuary status, and unique natural environment.