Campaign to save Highland castle visited by Bonnie Prince Charlie on eve of Battle of Culloden
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A campaign has been launched in a bid to save a rundown 15th century castle near Inverness for community use.
Kilravock Castle at Croy – the ancestral stronghold of the Clan Rose – once received Mary, Queen of Scots 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 is showing signs of neglect.
Amid anticipation the castle will soon be placed on the market, moves are now under way to explore the possibility of a community buyout for the building and its grounds as an asset for the people of Croy and Cawdor.
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Representatives from the clan, Highland Historic Buildings Trust and former Highland councillor Roddy Balfour attended a meeting yesterday to discuss setting up the Kilravock Castle Community Trust.
It will gauge support for the idea, look at raising funds for a community right to buy bid for the castle, explore potential uses and come up with a business plan.
A public meeting is also being planned for September.
Diana Beattie, a volunteer with the group, described yesterday's meeting as "very encouraging" and said the trust was keen to hear from local people wanting to become involved.
“The new trust would like to breathe new life into the castle and its grounds so that it can benefit the local people of Croy and Cawdor,” she said.
Mr Balfour stressed any proposals under a community right to buy bid would have to be shown to be of benefit to the community.
“This project is not necessarily about saving a historic building – it is about making a building with a historic background into something valuable for the community,” he said.
Early-stage ideas 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 community-owned hotel.
John Duncan, chairman of Highland Historic Buildings Trust, said: "The Trust is supportive of the group of interested locals who are willing to pursue its ambitions in bringing Kilravock Castle and surroundings back into use as a community asset and resource, given its unique place in the history of the Highlands, in its time having hosted amongst others, Mary Queen of Scots, both Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Duke of Cumberland at the time of the Battle of Culloden and Rabbie Burns.
"More recently, it played host to individuals, youth and other organisations from the Highlands and beyond.
"We wish the group well in their endeavours and look forward to working with them in whatever way we can to help them to take matters forward."
Kilravock Castle was built in 1460 by Hugh Rose, the seventh Laird.
Mary Queen of Scots stayed in 1562 on her way to Inverness and her son, James VI, 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.
When the duke turned up at Kilravock the next day, the laird reputedly explained he never refused hospitality and had no armed force to withstand the prince.
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.
Anyone interested in becoming involved in the project and living in Croy or Cawdor should send an email to DianacBeattie@gmail.com, giving their full name and address.
