Freedom of Information Requests - Kinloch Castle
Date: 21 July 2025
Our ref: SIR180699/A5277730
Information Request – Kinloch Castle
Your Request
It appears that from a report published by the Scottish Government, Kinloch Castle Study:Final report (2025), 'the findings of this study show support for the sale of Kinloch Castle' (page 6).
It appears that NatureScot and the Scottish Government may like to sell the castle and some or all of its associated grounds, potentially in line with the 'five most important conditions of sale' and three core principles' being followed 'during the sale process'.
I would like the following information (set out below) and I have (at the same time) sent another FOI request to the Scottish Government requesting similar information, in case they are more appropriate to provide some or all of the information and so NatureScot does not undergo unnecessary duplication of resources.
Please could NatureScot provide:
All correspondence between NatureScot and the Isle of Rum Community Trust since 1 January 2025.
An expected or stated date for when the Castle is put on the market.
The expected or stated duration of the Castle being on the market.
The Conditions of Sale of the Castle (which it is understood may be subject to change)
The Castle sale prospectus.
Any documents relating to any form of tender or future proposals for the Castle.
The sale price of the Castle.
During the sale process, will other organisations such as Kinloch Castle Friends Association and other heritage or similar bodies be consulted in addition to the island community?
Our Response
Following a search of the information we hold our response is below.
All correspondence between NatureScot and the Isle of Rum Community Trust since 1 January 2025?
Our response is attached separately.
We have withheld tendering information under EIRs Regulation 10(5)(e) (Confidentiality of commercial information). There is a strong public interest in openness and transparency, particularly with reference to accountability for spending public money. However, on balance, commercial interests should not unduly prejudiced by the release of commercially sensitive information.
We have also marked out (redacted) personal information in the documents provided. Releasing personal data into the public domain in response to an access to information request would breach the Data Protection Act 2018. We are therefore withholding the information under EIRs Regulation 11(2) (Personal data).
An expected or stated date for when the Castle is put on the market?
We do not yet have a date when the open market sale will go live. Once the sale is live, it will be advertised by our selling agent, Savills.
The expected or stated duration of the Castle being on the market?
We do not yet know the expected duration of the Castle being on the market.
The Conditions of Sale of the Castle (which it is understood may be subject to change)?
While the conditions of sale have not yet been finalised, proposals for the future of the Castle must consider the following points, as laid out in the Scottish Government’s Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) paper:
- Contribution to the sustainability of the Rum community
- Active community involvement
- Contribution to enhancing nature on Rum, promotion and encouragement of its enjoyment, and interest in the island
- Adherence to the Scottish Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement
- Long-term commitment to conditions of sale
As you note in your request, the exact wording of the conditions of sale may be subject to change during any sale negotiations between NatureScot, the community and a potential buyer, for example due to legal advice.
The Castle sale prospectus?
This document has not yet been drafted by our selling agent and so is not available to share at this time.
Any documents relating to any form of tender or future proposals for the Castle?
We have not prepared any tendering documents nor received any proposals for the future of the Castle and so these are not available to share at this time.
The sale price of the Castle?
Until the sale goes live this is being withheld under EIRs Regulation 10(5)(e) (Confidentiality of commercial information). There is a strong public interest in openness and transparency, particularly with reference to accountability for spending public money. However, on balance, commercial interests should not unduly prejudiced by the release of commercially sensitive information.
During the sale process, will other organisations such as Kinloch Castle Friends Association and other heritage or similar bodies be consulted in addition to the island community?
As part of our wider engagement around the Castle sale, Kinloch Castle Friends Association, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Highland Council and Historic Environment Scotland have been informed of our progress to date. Most of these stakeholders were also included within the RESAS paper consultation, either through a separate survey or as part of the Research Advisory Group. We will continue to have regular communication with others during the sale process.
How We Handled Your Request
We believe you have asked for environmental information as defined in the Environmental Information (Scotland Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’), so we are dealing with your request under those regulations. To be able to use the EIRs, we must apply an exemption under section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (‘FOISA’). The Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance recommends that public authorities apply this exemption to environmental information and handle request under the EIRs.
If you would like to find out more about the access to information legislation, there is a guidance booklet available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
Review and Appeal
I hope this information meets your requirements, but if you are dissatisfied with how we have responded to your information request, please write to us within 40 working days explaining your concerns. You can contact us at Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW or email us at [email protected]. We will carry out a review of our response and contact you with our findings within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied following this, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months. The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer,
NatureScot
Document downloads
Due to accessibility issues the attached information, referenced above, is available on request by contacting the FOI team at [email protected]. Please reference the case number (starting with SIR).
