KINLOCH CASTLE FRIENDS ASSOCIATION - SNH Press Release July 2005
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Text of SNH Press Release, July 2005 The SNH issued a press release giving options for the future of Kinloch Castle in July 2005. The text of the release is given below. Short list of options identified for Rum's Kinloch Castle.Three contrasting approaches have been identified for further investigation in efforts to find a sustainable future for Kinloch Castle on the island of Rum. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), which has ownership responsibilities for the island and the castle, has been working with the Prince of Wales's Phoenix Trust and the Rum Community Association to develop a role for the castle in the island's future. The options were selected to offer SNH and potential funders from both the public and private sectors, comparators of benefits and drawbacks. They were put forward in a report by the Phoenix Trust following a process involving analysis of all past studies commissioned by SNH concerning the castle, and the collation of current ideas, concerns and opinions of others, particularly the Rum community. The three options are:
Each of these proposals will now go forward for more detailed studies to identify the option that will be the most sustainable in the long term and the most likely to attract the necessary funding. After completion of this feasibility stage, a recommendation will be made to the Board of SNH. The report was welcomed by SNH area manager, David Maclennan, who said: "It's really encouraging to see real progress in finding a long term sustainable solution to Kinloch Castle's restoration. The castle has a key role to play in the island's future. It is a major visitor attraction and it offers visitor accommodation and catering facilities. But as well as an asset it is also a liability in terms of the funding requirements that go beyond SNH's normal remit. We therefore very much welcome the Phoenix Trust's involvement as well as that of the community on Rum. Only by working together on this will we secure a solution for the castle that will make a positive contribution to the island's social and economic development." Fliss Hough of Rum Community Association said: "In working together, the Rum community, the Phoenix Trust and SNH have identified options that are likely to offer a sustainable future for Kinloch Castle and complement the Kinloch Village Development plan. This in turn would enhance the island for the community and visitors alike and could well lead to a whole range of further opportunities." Phoenix Trust director, Jill Channer, added: "We were delighted to have been commissioned to undertake this challenging task, and have created an exceptionally experienced team to respond to this extraordinary building, its contents and context. With the positive collaboration of the community and the expertise of SNH, we are convinced the time has come to find the sustainable future for the castle that everyone is seeking." The island of Rum is owned by SNH on behalf of the nation, and managed as a National Nature Reserve. The presence of Kinloch Castle and the high cost of its maintenance has presented SNH with challenges beyond its normal remit. The castle is currently used as a hostel for visitor accommodation, with catering facilities, and the front of house operates as a museum, with tours of the rooms and artifacts provided for visitors. The building however is now 105 years old, and materials and services are nearing the end of their natural lives. The SNH budget of £65,000 a year for maintaining the castle has helped with small scale repairs and maintenance, but major works of repair and conservation are now required if the building and its collections are to be preserved for future generations. The cost of this work has been estimated at around £6m and will require external funding. Before that can be secured, a feasible and sustainable proposal for the castle's future has to be produced. The castle featured on BBC2's Restoration Series last year, where it polled 143,000 votes in telephone support narrowly missing out on the £3m plus prize money. The plight of the building stimulated widespread interest, including that of His Royal Highness, The Duke of Rothesay who convened a meeting of interested parties to catalyse a solution for the castle. This resulted in his Phoenix Trust bringing together a team of specialists who were commissioned by SNH to produce the options report. This move was welcomed by Douglas King, honorary secretary of the Kinloch Castle Friends Association, who said: "Kinloch Castle Friends Association have become increasingly concerned about the deteriorating state of the castle since the Association was founded in 1996. We were very pleased when the Phoenix Trust was appointed to help find a sustainable future for the castle. It is pivotal to the island's future. Properly developed, it has enormous potential to boost tourism and employment on the island. This development must complement, not conflict with community enterprise." "Kinloch Castle Friends Association fully support the Rum Community in their ambition to create a viable community on the island. For that reason, while not discounting any of the three options for restoration of the castle, at least until we have more details; we do much prefer option 3 - An optimum combination of different kinds of uses." Ends. For further information: Scottish Natural Heritage is the Scottish Executive's statutory advisor in respect to the conservation, enhancement, enjoyment, understanding and sustainable use of the natural heritage. The purpose of the Prince of Wales's Phoenix Trust is to rescue, repair and find new uses for major historic buildings which are in danger of falling into decay or facing demolition, for the benefit of the communities in which they stand, and the public at large. Whether in town or country, these projects are a significant catalyst to local regeneration, offering job and training opportunities and acting as a focus for business and residential development.
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