Samantha Kane slashes asking price for Carbisdale Castle as ‘iconic’ property returns to market

Carbisdale Castle was returned to the market today — but at a much reduced asking price.

The Sutherland hilltop mansion, situated near Ardgay, is now being offered for sale at £3.5 million, £1.5 million less than its previous asking price, amid an ongoing dispute between its owner and local community council members.

RELATED:

Samantha Kane puts Carbisdale Castle back up for sale after members’ move to dissolve Ardgay community council

Ardgay and District Community Council set to dissolve for second time to remove “disruptive” member

Carbisdale Castle back on the market: Samantha Kane puts iconic mansion house up for sale just two years after purchasing it

The property, which covers 29 acres, is being marketed by Strutt & Parker as “one of the Highlands’ most iconic castles, occupying the most prominent position of any building in Scotland.”

The listing follows Ms Kane’s decision to pull the plug on a proposed transfer of the castle to a community interest company.

Ms Kane, a London barrister who styles herself Lady Carbisdale, had planned to hand over the property but said she reversed the decision due to alleged discrimination.

“I have now halted that and decided to put the castle back on the market as a direct result of the discrimination I have suffered,” she said. “Obviously the big loser is the community but the hatred and discrimination I have endured is too much.”

Ms Kane, 65, purchased the castle in 2022 for £1.2 million and has since undertaken “vast” restoration work to key parts of the property.

The selling agents say improvements had been made “to suit 21st century living and the potential development of a spa and swimming pool.”

A major factor in the listing of the castle has been an ongoing dispute within Ardgay and District Community Council (A&DCC), which has escalated in recent weeks.

The group, of which Ms Kane is a member, has called an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to dissolve the council, citing concerns about the castle owner’s conduct at meetings.

Chair Les Waugh accused her of behaving “like a football hooligan”.

The community council said in a statement: “Following six months of very difficult meeting and very difficult operating conditions in between meetings, the chair and the vice chair took the view that the intimidation of members of the public at the meeting on April 17 made the continuation of A&DCC, in its current form, untenable.”

Ms Kane has strongly denied the allegations.

“Allegations about my alleged behaviour are entirely untrue – totally false. If anything it is the other way around and I have evidence to support that,” she said.

“I am considering claiming damages from the community council or individual members for the harm they have caused me.”

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.