Kinloch Castle Study: Final report
This report summarises the findings of a study into the views of Rum residents on the sale of Kinloch Castle on the Isle of Rum. The report presents an agreed list of suitable conditions of sale for Kinloch Castle and advice on how a future sale of the castle should be conducted.
Footnotes
1 For an explanation of why this option is not being considered, see ‘Kinloch Castle – Frequency Asked Questions’ in the report annex.
3 Rounds 1 and 2 of the study were open to all adult island residents aged 18 and over.
4 This included an invitation letter, Background Statement, Information sheet and Privacy Notice. These are included in the Annex of this report.
5 This included an invitation letter, Question & Answer sheet and a paper copy of the survey as requested by islanders. These are included in the Annex of this report.
6 We received 61 responses in total, but 4 were not members so were not eligible to respond.
7 See the Round 2 section of the report annex.
8 We included a further question on this topic alongside an explanation of each option in Round 2.
9 A small number of respondents identified other buildings or facilities that should be taken into account. These were included in Round 2.
10 Respondents rated each condition on a scale of 0-10 (0 - ‘Not at all important’, 10 - ‘Very important’).
11 For a note of the explanation given for each condition and a Table of the full results, see the Round 2 section of the report annex.
12 The explanation given for Public use was: ‘Castle is managed for public use; community groups can access and use all areas of the castle and grounds (e.g. to grow food; use for community meetings)’. For the full explanations provided, see the Round 2 survey questions in the report annex.
13 Respondents could choose more than one option.
14 For the full results and an explanation of the calculations used see the report Annex.
15 As percentages have been rounded up to the nearest whole number, totals may exceed 100%.
16 We included a further question on this topic alongside an explanation of each option in Round 2.
17 See: Home | Isle of Rum Red Deer Project
18 Each example was noted by one respondent.
19 Rum bidding for Dark Sky Island status to boost astro-tourism - BBC News
20 Mean scores have been rounded to the nearest decimal point. We have chosen to focus on mean as a measure of the importance of each condition, as this more accurately reflects the variation of responses and is easy to understand. This is also an appropriate measure due to the small sample size.
The mean is a valid method used to analyse ratings from linear scales within Delphi studies. For example, see: Franc, J. M. et al. (2023). ‘Analysis of Delphi study 7-point linear scale data by parametric methods: Use of the mean and standard deviation’ Methodological Innovations, 16:2, pp.226-233.
21 Mean and median scores have been rounded to the nearest decimal point.
22 We have measured consensus as the percentage of responses that fall within a 2.5 point range of the mean (average). For example if the mean was ‘6.3’, this would include responses of ‘4’, ‘5’, ‘6’, ‘7’ and ‘8’.
23 Four respondents scored this condition as ‘5’, and four scored it as ‘10’.
24 As percentages have been rounded up to the nearest whole number, totals may exceed 100%.
25 One respondent did not correctly rank the options, so their answer has been excluded.
26 This point was raise by three respondents; in contrast another respondent stated that it should involve the Isle of Rum Community trust.
27 Percentages have been rounded up to the nearest whole number. Note: the walled garden was included in this question twice by error. Where the results differed, we have taken an average of the two figures.
28 One respondent did not correctly rank the options, so their answer has been excluded.
29 One respondent did not correctly rank the options, so their answer has been excluded.
30 Respondents rated each condition on a scale of 0-10 (0 - ‘Not at all important’, 10 - ‘Very important’). Average and median scores have been rounded to the nearest decimal point.
31 This was identified as an issue in a 2007 report commissioned by the Scottish Government, on the prospects for a community-based approach to social and economic development on Rum - Atterton, J. et al. (2007) ‘Assessment of Social Capital on Rum and the Small Isles’ Centre for Rural Economy, Newcastle University. A summary of this report is included in this report annex.
32 The following five components comprise the basic World Café model: 1. Setting, 2. Welcome and Introduction, 3. Small-Group Rounds, 4. Questions and 5. Harvest. Drawing on seven integrated design principles, the World Café methodology is a simple, effective, and flexible format for hosting large group dialogue. See: World Cafe Method | The World Cafe
33 Jeremy Hosking is a British businessman and political donor who made an offer to buy Kinloch Castle. Jeremy Hosking - Wikipedia
34 Sir George Bullough, 1st Baronet was a late Victorian playboy. George inherited the island of Rum in 1891, the family's sporting estate in the Inner Hebrides where he had Kinloch Castle built between 1898 and 1901. George Bullough - Wikipedia
35 MV (Motor Vessel) Sheerwater is a passenger boat with the carrying capacity of 78 which sails from Arisaig to the Small Isles.
36 Caledonian MacBrayne operate the most extensive and complex ferry network in Britain and run a regular ferry from Mallaig to Rum.
37 MV (Motor Vessel) Sheerwater is a passenger boat with the carrying capacity of 78 which sails from Arisaig to the Small Isles .
38 The island of Rum was named Scotland's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary by the organisation DarkSky International in 2024. There are just 20 other locations with the same status worldwide, with only one other in Europe: Island of Rum named an International Dark Sky Sanctuary - BBC News
39 The Byre is a separate building near Kinloch Castle on the Island of Rum.
40 Gardens and Designed Landscapes | Historic Environment Scotland
41 Whilst we have met with, and updated, the Isle of Rum Community Trust and Rum Community Association during this project, the focus of the study was on collecting individual islanders’ views and all adult residents were able to take part in the study on this basis. Similarly, individual members of the Kinloch Castle Friends Association were able to take part in a separate survey and we have not taken views from the organisation in a formal way.
42 In 2007, following a visit to Rum and Eigg, the Minister for the Environment asked for further research on the social capital of Rum and the other Small Isles to inform future discussions about the prospects for a community-based approach to social and economic development on Rum.
The project explored: a) if the existing Rum community was capable of managing some, or all, of the publicly owned assets on Rum, and b) if not, or only in part, whether there was social capital elsewhere in the vicinity which could be tapped to provide the necessary skills and experience.
43 This options appraisal was carried out by Scottish Natural Heritage (now NatureScot) to review potential uses and ownership models for Kinloch Castle, taking into account changes that had taken place on the island, including the transfer of land and properties to the Isle of Rum Community Trust and the development of a stronger vision for Rum. The project involved input from a stakeholder working group, and included a visit to the castle, workshop and consultation on the draft report. Full report available on request.
44 Full report available on request.
Contact
Email: socialresearch@gov.scot