THE charity regulator is investigating a trust which is selling the historic lands of the Clan MacDonald for nearly £7 million.
The Clan Donald Lands Trust (CDLT) has overseen Clan Donald's lands on the Isle of Skye since the 1970s, which includes the famous Armadale Castle and visitor centre.
The National reported in March how the trust had made the "difficult" decision to sell the entire 20,000-acre estate due to financial challenges.
The decision was met with criticism from locals and families around the world with ties to the clan, which is one of the oldest and largest in Scotland.
Now, the Sunday Mail reports that the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) has opened an investigation into the CDLT's governance and finances, following complaints.
A spokesman told the Sunday Mail: "OSCR has received a number of concerns from the public about the CDLT.
"We are now engaging with the charity trustees to establish the facts of this case, and we have sought extensive information and explanation from them.
"We are specifically looking to understand the current financial position of the charity and the circumstances that led to the decision to put significant charitable assets up for sale."
The watchdog added that it would decide if further action is necessary once it has established the facts.
The CDLT was founded in 1971 to manage the clan's assets and to "promote and preserve the history and heritage of Clan Donald".
The estate, which covers most of the island's southern Sleat peninsula, is used by tenant crofters and farmers.
The historic home of the MacDonalds of Sleat, Armadale Castle, is also located on the estate and is a popular tourist destination which includes a museum, cafe and walled garden.
The CDLT has four trustees – its chair, London businessman Ranald Macdonald, owner of the Boisdale restaurants, Yorkshire-based landowner Sir Ian MacDonald of Sleat, US-based retired Major Bruce MacDonald, and Diane Carey-Schmitz.
When the decision to sell the estate was announced earlier this year, many locals were reportedly taken by surprise.
The National reported how Community Land Scotland claimed that residents were "understandably frustrated and disappointed" regarding the trust's decision and called for the sale to be delayed.
