Hotel owner complains about lack of action over Carbisdale Castle closure
A KYLE of Sutherland hotel owner has spoken of the heartbreaking loss of a unique tourist attraction that brought thousands of visitors to the area every year.
Cheryl Connelly (36) and her partner experienced a booming season of business when they bought and renovated the Invershin Hotel four years ago, as flocks of tourists crossed the bridge from the nearby youth hostel, Carbisdale Castle, to enjoy a pint and some Highland culture.
But the success was short-lived, with the hostel closing its doors just a few months after they took over the watering hole, leaving them to think about what could have been.
Cheryl has decided to speak out now following Jamie Stone’s article in last week’s NT urging the Government, other politicians and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to act urgently to save Carbisdale.
Cheryl said: “There could be 60-70 people walking across the bridge from the castle at night for drinks. That was really one of the main reasons we bought the hotel.
“Since that stopped we’ve made a little bunkhouse out the back, which is fine, but people aren’t coming here to visit the area – they were coming to Carbisdale because it is a castle. I don’t think there’s anywhere else in Britain that you can stay in a castle for about £20 a night.
“Now, we’re trying to keep our costs down and run the hotel the best way we can on our own rather than employing local people.
“We’ve not been able to employ any staff because we certainly don’t have the business now.
“And it’s not just us. You’ve got the Bridge Hotel in Bonar, the Spar shop, the butchers, and other businesses, they’ve all been affected.
“Everybody is missing it and obviously with the Falls of Shin Visitor Centre burning down as well, it’s just another blow to the local community.
“We just sort of think back and it’s quite heartbreaking actually.”
The castle, described as the “jewel in the crown” of the Scottish hostelling network, closed its doors in 2010 following severe water damage.
Last year the Scottish Youth Hostels Association (SYHA) confirmed the hostel would be shut for the “foreseeable future” because of mounting repair costs, suggesting it may have to be sold.
Tourism in the area received another setback last May when the Falls of Shin Visitor Centre burned to the ground, leaving its 18 staff out of work.
Last week, Highland councillor Jamie Stone commented in the NT: “No-one seems to be banging the drum and saying that this is absolutely unacceptable”, sparking a reaction from north, west and central Sutherland councillors who say the SYHA needs to be more active in looking for funding for the castle and more open with the community about what is going on.
George Farlow, member for the North, West and Central Sutherland ward, said: “The youth hostel association have got the wherewithal and the people to try and attract funding to rebuild this thing.
“I just don’t understand why they are so reticent about informing the community of what’s happening. They seem to be very quiet.
“It must be a couple of years since they visited Creich Community Council to tell them what was going on.”
His ward colleague councillor Linda Munro, also highlighted the lack of communication.
She said: “The cumulative impact of losing the Falls of Shin Visitor Centre and Carbisdale Castle has left the communities reeling. With no replacement jobs or visitor attraction, the sustainability of the area is fragile and morale low.
“As a matter of urgency SYHA needs to come and discuss all options with the communities.
“I appreciate there will have been complex and difficult issues for SYHA to consider regarding the future of Carbisdale Castle, but this is an unreasonable amount of time to leave the communities of Bonar Bridge/Ardgay and surrounding districts waiting for a decision.”
Councillor Hugh Morrison called for the SYHA to pass the castle on to locals.
He said: “The loss of both Carbisdale Castle and the Falls of Shin is a major blow to tourism in the area.
“The SYHA has been dragging its feet on Carbisdale for a few years now. If it’s costing them money to retain the property in the condition it’s in, then maybe it’s time they passed it on to a community group for a minimal fee so it could be restored to its former glory and opened up again as a hostel.”
Councillor Farlow pointed out that local organisations are unlikely by themselves to be able to come up with the capital needed to restore Carbisdale – previously estimated to be around £6 million – and the project needed a group of funders.
The future of Carbisdale is still unclear and the SYHA is unwilling to confirm or deny whether the castle will be sold.
A spokesperson for the organisation said: “SYHA is considering a range of options and the local community will be advised once there is an outcome regarding the future of the building.
“While it is always sad to close some iconic and long-standing youth hostels, SYHA has to make responsible decisions which support our charitable aims. As a not-for-profit self-funding organisation, we have a duty to secure the long-term sustainability of our network for future generations.”
Cheryl is waiting on tenterhooks to hear news from the SYHA.
She said: “We don’t even know if it is up for sale, we just want to know what’s happening.
“Why is no one stepping in over this – anyone to do with the Scottish tourism industry – and not thinking that this is an absolute disgrace?”
A Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) spokesperson commented: “HIE works with business and community groups on a wide range of exciting projects capable of delivering sustainable growth.
“Carbisdale Castle is in private hands and, while we haven’t been approached about any current plans, we would be happy to consider any viable proposition which may come forward.”
