The Clan Courier

CLAN COURIER

Small islands thinking big, quirky events make a comeback, and a royal visit

[PROPERTY] WHO WILL BE KING OF THE CASTLE?

Residents of the small island of Rum must wait patiently to find out who – if anyone – will become the new owner of Kinloch Castle, a crumbling ruin that was once a popular visitor attraction/hostel.

Whoever it is will have to prove they have sufficient funds to restore it, as it’s thought that necessary renovations to the red sandstone turreted castle would cost around £20m. It would cost £50,000 alone to restore the orchestrion – thought to be the world’s oldest – that once belonged to Queen Victoria.

The castle has been looking for a buyer for some time and previous attempts to save it by the Kinloch Castle Friend’s Association and even The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, have failed for one reason or another.

Now, after inviting offers to buy the castle for a nominal fee of £1, NatureScot, the organisation that owns Kinloch, says it has received 11 proposals, which will now be assessed to identify those that meet the criteria that it has set out for beneficial ownership.

NatureScot says: “Any future owner will need to contribute towards three key objectives: securing the conservation and preservation of the castle; contributing to the sustainability of the Rum community; and enhancing nature on Rum, including promoting its enjoyment, and minimising the castle’s impact on the natural environment.” nature.scot

[SHOPPING] THE PERFECT SHOT

Less is more, so they say, and at Holyrood Distillery in Edinburgh, they are putting their money where their sip is, producing a gin that rejects the current trend of using lots of botanicals, relying instead on juniper, and juniper alone.

The result is that Height of Arrows gin is a clean and fresh spirit, with beeswax and salt lending texture and full-bodied flavour. It works effortlessly in a classic martini, so our editor tells us. £34.95. holyrooddistillery.co.uk

[EVENTS] YOU’RE HAVING A GIRAFFE

Next summer, Edinburgh will show off its playful side even more than usual as a trail of 40 eight-foot giraffes will be placed throughout the capital.

Supported by Glenmorangie Distillery, whose symbol is a giraffe, thanks to its long-necked stills, Edinburgh Zoo’s ‘Giraffe About Town’ trail is a large-scale public art exhibition that will hopefully inject a little humour into the recovering city, as well as raise money for vital wildlife conservation.

Giraffes are currently at risk in the wild and with Edinburgh Zoo welcoming a herd in May 2021, the trail is timed to help raise awareness of their plight and also raise extra smiles during festival season. giraffeabouttown.org.uk

[COMMUNITY] CANNA YOU HELP THIS ISLE?

With just 15 residents, the tiny island of Canna, the westernmost of the Small Isles archipelago, is appealing for donations to help it build three community-owned houses.

It is the latest step in the island’s bid to grow its population to around 30. At present, there are no empty houses for anyone new to move into.

Geraldine Mackinnon, Chair of the Isle of Canna Community Development Trust, said: “The Isle of Canna Community may be small, but we are always up for any challenge that will help us create a sustainable future for our island.

“We have a positive track record with previous projects and hope everyone will come on board and help us make our community housing a reality.” crowdfunder.co.uk/isle-of-canna-housing-project

[HERITAGE] ROYAL VISIT FOR BURNS

HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay and Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Rothesay, visited the birthplace of Robert Burns on 9 September – the first Royal Visit to Burns Cottage since Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited in 1995.

The Royal Highnesses entered the cottage where Robert Burns was born on 25 January 1759, where they viewed several special items, including the wedding ring of Burns’ wife, Jean Armour, which includes fragments of the couple’s hair, and an original manuscript of Auld Lang Syne, which features prose in Burns’ handwriting.

On leaving the cottage, The Duke of Rothesay, who is Patron to the National Trust for Scotland, the charity that looks after the cottage, joined frontline staff and volunteers at a reception to mark the charity’s 90th anniversary.

The National Trust for Scotland’s Chief Executive, Philip Long OBE FRSE, said: “The humble origins of Robert Burns, in a building his family shared with livestock, provide a breathtaking juxtaposition with the worldwide fame and undying influence his talent enabled him to achieve.

“The Duke and Duchess asked many questions and their fascination with the cottage and the history it embodies was evident for all to see.”

The first ever Burns Supper was held in Burns Cottage in 1801. Turn to page 54 for details on how you can host the perfect Burns Supper.