Emergency talks to save Carbisdale Castle project

The developer behind the scheme to turn the dilapidated former Scottish Youth Hostel Association (SYHA) hostel into a luxury hotel is understood to be on the verge of pulling out in a row with the tiny neighbouring community of Culrain over woodland acquisition.

The withdrawal would be a huge economic blow to the area as the scheme could generate up to 90 jobs.

Highland Council officials and local councillors are now offering to mediate between the two groups in a bid to keep the scheme on track.

Caithness and Sutherland area committee leader Deirdre Mackay stressed yesterday: “This is the opportunity of a lifetime for the area in terms of jobs and also in terms of restoring the castle. It really is a game-changer for the community and an opportunity not to be missed.”

At issue is a 56-acre parcel of Carbisdale Forest which the developers, who have not been identified, wish to purchase and turn into walled gardens similar to those at Dunrobin Castle.

The woodland in question is next to the castle and represents around three per cent of the total forest area.

Representatives of the business consortium, which registered a company called Carbisdale Castle Ltd with Companies House last month, have been in talks with the Forestry Commission over the purchase.

But the 47-strong Culrain community has accused the two groups of reaching a “secret deal” and ignoring its long-standing affiliation with the forest in which woodland walks and cycle tracks have been established.

The community has formed its own company, Carbisdale Castle Holdings, with a view to purchasing the woodland through community right to buy legislation.

A public meeting took place last Wednesday at Bonar Bridge Hall chaired by Tim Griffin, director of Michael Laird Architects, the firm commissioned to spearhead the project.

Also present was Kevin Keenan, the managing director of the proposed hotel.

It is understood that following that meeting, the Culrain community was given until 6pm on Wednesday to give a “yes or no” answer to the question: Do they intend to stand in the way of the sale of the 56 acres to the developers?

Mr Griffin wrote in an email to Culrain and District Hall Committee: “I believe that you and your committee fully understand already the implications of ‘no’ and given that we are looking for a relatively small area of the Carbisdale forest, there is more than enough for your community right to buy initiative to co-exist with our project.”

Culrain residents met on Tuesday to discuss their response. Anne Henderson, secretary of Culrain and District Hall Committee, replied to Mr Griffin on Wednesday.

In her letter, she called for “round the table discussions through a neutral chair” and asked for more time. She also called for a more detailed map to be provided of the land in question. Her response concluded: “Michael Laird Architects and their clients, Carbisdale Castle Ltd, have placed a great deal of pressure on this community and your most implicit ultimatum of 4th May demands that the community say yes or no to the sale of public land to your clients.

“This demand is unworkable. Your company and your clients appear to be working hard to marginalise this community’s rights and we advise that we have equitable demands which reflect past and current community investment and interest in the public land for sale.”

It is understood that after receiving Mrs Henderson’s response the developers, who have also looked at properties in Ireland and Wales, made it known they were now thinking about moving on.

A spokesman for Carbisdale Castle Ltd declined to comment yesterday.

Councillor Deirdre Mackay said: “Highland Council is stepping in to mediate. Planning director Stuart Black has offered to meet with the people of Culrain and the developers and we are trying to organise that as quickly as possible. We are also happy to meet with the objectors alone.”

She added: “The formal planning process has not even started and this is the time to iron out any issues and get round the table. I do not think there are any issues here that are insurmountable, but we need to get everyone together to address the problems and work through them.”

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor (Conservative) said he hoped that the difficulties could be ironed out and the project would go ahead.

He said: “Jobs in remote rural areas require inward investment and this opportunity should be firmly grasped as an investment for the future.

“The vision includes creating a garden which could become a tremendous tourist attraction similar to Inverew Gardens. Horticultural is an important part of Scotland’s tourism offering.”

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