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Approaching Rum by boat, from a distance that example of Edwardian extravagance, Kinloch Castle, is not particularly noteworthy. It’s only as you bump over the track in a Land Rover and reach a clearing, that you begin to have some idea of the size and scale of this impressive building, which, today, sits in a National Nature Reserve (NNR) managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).
The first stone of Kinloch Castle was laid in 1897, a mere four years before Victoria’s reign came to an end. Kinloch would later become renowned for its excesses and eccentricities – a world away, perhaps, from the austerity espoused during parts of Victoria’s near 64 years on the throne.
Prince Charles found the island a lot less threatening than its name would suggest when he arrived by helicopter in June. His appearance was to do with progressing proposals for a major £8 million refit of the castle, and he couldn’t have received a warmer welcome from Rum’s 30-odd residents.
Today the 106-year-old castle, and the surrounding island, are owned by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the cost of the maintenance of the grand, Edwardian building has given SNH a number of significant challenges. And, though the organisation’s annual maintenance budget of £65,000 has helped with small scale repairs, major work is now required to help preserve the building and its collections.
The A-listed castle captured the Prince’s attention when he saw it featured on BBC2’s first Restoration series, three years ago. Kinloch polled 143,000 votes in phone support, narrowly missing out on more than £3 million in prize money.
SNH has worked hard in finding a feasible and sustainable proposal for the castle’s future. These have included proposals for maintaining the existing use with major restoration; conversion to eight flats; or a combination of flats, education and entertainment facilities, with commercial and public access to the principal rooms.
SNH has also commissioned the Phoenix Trust to produce a detailed report on the options for a long term sustainable solution, and that process resulted in a planning application for a new building – the ‘Greenhouse’ – being presented to The Highland Council in November 2006. Plans for the restoration of the castle itself will be lodged in the near future.
