Highland councillor contacts police and local authority chiefs claiming ‘vitriol and hatred’ after Carbisdale Castle put up for sale
A SUTHERLAND councillor has written to chief officers at Police Scotland and Highland Council to highlight the “vitriol and hatred” he says has been directed at Carbisdale Castle owner Samantha Kane by members of the local community.
Cllr Michael Baird, who represents the North, West and Central Sutherland ward, emailed Chief Superintendent Rob Shepherd and Highland Council chief executive Derek Brown after the castle was put up for sale on Monday.
But, in his response, Chief Superintendent Shepherd, who is responsible for all policing in the Highland and Islands Division, said there had been “poor communications and poor behaviour on both sides”.
The chief superintendent also revealed that he had suggested mediation in order to foster a better relationship between Ms Kane and the local community.
Ms Kane, a transgender barrister who calls herself Lady Carbisdale, bought the 19-bedroom Grade B-listed Carbisdale Castle, which was in a dilapidated state, for around £1.2 million two years ago.
She has since spent a reported further £10 million to turn it into an exclusive members club.
However, her plans to buy an area of public land owned by Forestry and Land Scotland on three sides of the castle were opposed three times by the local community, although she was eventually successful in purchasing three hectares.
There were also various allegations from local people including that Ms Kane had threatened legal action after learning of plans to clear paths in public woodland near the historic building. She claimed this was a “pretext” for people to intimidate her and attack her land.
Last December, Ms Kane, the vice-chairperson of the former Ardgay and District Community Council, claimed she had been the subject of a “campaign of bullying and transphobia” during her attempt to acquire the land.
Ms Kane also told national newspapers this week that she had decided to sell the castle after receiving further transphobic abuse.
She is reported to have said: “It has been a labour of love mostly. But when people sit in their bedrooms writing on social media, they have to realise the effect that has on some people. I really have been quite hurt by comments on my gender identity, so now I think it just needs someone, for a better word ‘normal’, to take it over.
“It is such a special place but I did suffer some prejudice, and I think probably the Highlands is not ready for a transgender owner of the castle. It needs someone else to protect its future.”
Cllr Baird, who has invested in the for-profit Carbisdale Castle Ltd company, wrote in his email: “It is very disappointing that the authorities in this day and age cannot resolve the sheer vitriol and hate that a small community of individuals has made on someone who has in two years transformed an historic wreck into a wonderfully restored visitor attraction.
“There is only so much that an individual and a personal assistant can take in such matters …. Hopefully the right individual will come forward to progress the project further. Twenty five promised jobs will have to find alternative work. There is much more that could be said, but I will leave it just now.”
Responding, Chief Superintendent Shepherd wrote: “Police Scotland have been incredibly supportive and have responded to every call and investigated every complaint made by Samantha and will continue to do so.
“We have a zero tolerance for hate, discrimination and bullying. We have also provided proactive crime prevention advice.
“Ninety-nine per cent of this situation is a community dispute caused by poor communications and poor behaviour on both sides - something I have sought to guide and help Samantha through - including my suggestion of mediation.
“It is a shame that Samantha has decided to call it a day on her project. I know that she was very passionate about it.”
Carbisdale Castle is being sold through Strutt and Parker and is advertised on various online sites with a guide price of £5 million.
The sellers state: “The current position is that significant work has been carried out and the castle will be offered with the remaining few bedrooms finished, together with the wellness suite to be completed by the existing owner, subject to contract with the full purchase price paid.”
The Northern Times approached Samantha Kane for comment but she said that she could not comment further at this stage.
