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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Sophie Buchan & Daniel Smith

Castle on remote Scottish island of Rum up for sale for £1 - and it's a Royal favourite

If you want to live like a Royal and own a castle, now may be your chance to live out those dreams.

A new owner is now required to help restore a crumbling castle - and it's on the market for just £1.

The dilapidated castle, famous for parties, hunting and fishing, is said to be a favourite of Prince Charles who previous backed plans to save the castle in 2003.

Although you can purchase the property for less than a coffee, it inevitably comes with a catch.

The good news is that, for those of us that have a lot of spare cash lying around, then the castle can be yours - if you're up for fixing it of course.

The bad news? It needs £20 million in repairs.

Kinloch Castle is located on the Isle of Rum in the Inner Hebrides and is owned by NatureScot - the public body responsible for the nation's natural heritage.

With the islands of Eigg and Rum on the horizon, a view across Camusdarach Beach on the west coast of Scotland. (Getty)

The 120-year-old castle was built by Lancastrian multimillionaire Sir George Bullough between 1897 and 1900 and is currently home to the world’s last functioning orchestrion - which needs a £50,000 refurbishment alone.

It's said to be a complicated instrument that belonged to Queen Victoria and emulates a 40-piece orchestra.

NatureScot is now on the hunt for a private individual, charity, foundation or company to help save the derelict castle.

Hopeful owners will not only need to prove that they have the resources to save the Category A landmark, but they will also need to make plans to better the future of the small isle where it sits.

The prospectus reads: "This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of Kinloch Castle on the island of Rum off Scotland’s west coast.

"It is a rare chance to create a long-lasting legacy from this imposing hunting lodge; to bring it back to life so that it can again play its part in supporting the island and its community to secure its future for generations to come."

Famous for its deer hunting spots, the imposing hunting lodge offered guests the opportunity to indulge in a variety of Highland sports.

The rooms are laid out as they would have been in its prime - filled with sculptures, artwork, a Steinway grand piano, four-poster beds and a sprung-floor ballroom with gold-damask walls.

Referring to the search for a new owner, a spokesperson for NatureScot, said: "Our priority is to protect and conserve Scotland’s nature, so that is where we have to focus our resources.

"But we feel the castle will support the community with the right owner, and we have been working towards that goal over the past number of years.

"Kinloch Castle is not currently on the open market for sale. We are working to identify a beneficial owner for the castle and grounds.

"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."

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