Historic Highland castle visited by Bonnie Prince Charlie could be subject of community buyout bid
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Members of a Scottish clan are to explore the possibility of rescuing their rundown 15th century stronghold near Inverness for community use.
Kilravock Castle at Croy, the ancestral seat of the Clan Rose, received Mary, Queen of Scots during its 600-year-old history and was visited by Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Duke of Cumberland on consecutive days at the time of the Battle of Culloden.
But since 2012, it has lain empty and neglected with the interior now showing signs of being in poor condition.
Members of the clan are now looking at the possibility of joining forces with the communities in Croy and Cawdor to acquire it under a community right to buy bid.
Ideas being floated for its potential future use include a community centre with a café, health spa and gym, study centre for summer schools, nursery for pre-school children, office space or a hotel.
It is also envisaged the extensive grounds could be used to meet local community needs with one idea being to make the walled garden available to a charity to create a market garden or garden centre.
The ancient arboretum could also be restored and opened up for visitors. Other ideas include a community farm or a riding or creative centre with studios for craftsmen and artists.
The first step would be to set up a community trust to raise funds and bid for the castle as well as discussing potential future uses and coming up with a business plan.
The proposed venture is still at the early stages and would require the support of the local community.
Former Highland councillor Roddy Balfour has been involved with early-stage discussions.
He thought the castle could be ideal for a community buyout.
"Obviously, it would have to be used for the benefit of the community," he said.
Kilravock Castle was built in 1460 by Hugh Rose, the seventh Laird.
Mary Queen of Scots stayed there overnight in 1562 on her way to Inverness and her son, James VI, also visited in 1598.
On the eve of the Battle of Culloden in 1746, Hugh, 16th Laird, entertained Prince Charles Edward Stuart at the castle while the Duke of Cumberland stayed nearby in the Rose's town house in Nairn.
It is said when the duke turned up at Kilravock the following day, the laird told him he never refused hospitality to anyone and had no armed force to withstand the prince – a reply which appeared to satisfy the duke.
In 1971, the 25th laird, Elizabeth Rose, handed the estate over to a trust which ran it as a venue for Christian retreats.
She died aged 88 at Nairn in December 2012.
