Inverness Castle

Inverness Castle was built in the 1830s with public funds to act as law courts in the centre of the town, which has now become the tourism capital of the Highlands. It was located on the site of previous castles dating back to the Middle Ages on a prominent ridge above the River Ness. Councillors, local business leaders and tourism officials would like the sheriffs, the lawyers and their clients to move out so the castle can be turned into a money-spinning cultural centre. Consultants have just been appointed to investigate whether the A-listed castle could be turned into a major tourism attraction - along the lines of Stirling Castle - complete with museum and art gallery. Simon Cole-Hamilton, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said: "The castle is a magnet for tourists but at the moment just about the only way the public can get inside is with a police escort."
The A-listed castle dates only from the 19th century. But it occupies a site which has been fortified since the 12th century. In the 1720s the British army turned an older Inverness Castle into a military garrison but it was subsequently demolished by the forces of Bonnie Prince Charlie during the 1745 Jacobite rebellion, leaving the site derelict until the 1830s. Visitors can climb up to the esplanade where Flora Macdonald, the Skye woman who later helped the fugitive prince escape from Scotland, is commemorated by a bronze statue, which looks out towards the Great Glen and Loch Ness.

Dunnottar Castle

Visitors from around the globe flock to see Stonehaven's spectacular Dunnottar Castle. The medieval clifftop ruin has become so besieged by sightseers that a new overspill car park is being planned. Owners Dunecht Estates has applied to create extra parking spaces at the rugged landmark. The move has been welcomed by Catterline, Kinneff and Dunnottar Community Council, who have long been campaigning for extra facilities at the site. Currently the castle car park is frequently full over the summer season, with motorists having to park by nearby fields. They believe a new car park would help to make the area safer for drivers and pedestrians. The community group also backed plans for traffic calming measures in the Mearns village of Kinneff.

Award for Inverlochy Castle

When Queen Victoria visited Inverlochy Castle, in September 1873, she wrote in her diary "I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot". The castle, now a prestigious up-market hotel, continues to gather praise. In a poll of the 32,000 readers of the US travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller, Inverlochy has been voted 16th of the top 20 hotels in Europe. The award will go alongside that of being voted best small hotel in Europe by the readers of the same magazine in 2001 and one of the top ten country retreats in the UK by the Automobile Association.. The four-star, 17-room hotel charges £550 a night for bed and breakfast but the high standards attract as regular guests Hollywood stars like Mel Gibson and Robert de Niro.

Millionaire applies for public grants for Beaufort Castle

Ann Gloag, the co-founder of the Stagecoach bus empire and one of the richest women in Scotland, has applied for thousands of pounds of public money to spend on the upkeep of Beaufort Castle.

Gloag, who last week won a legal dispute with tenants on her Beaufort Castle estate, near Beauly, had her application for up to £10,000 turned down by Highland Council last month. The money was to have been used to improve the condition of houses on her 19,500-acre estate.

This is not the first time Gloag has applied for a housing improvement grant through the council, although she has not to date been successful.

Garry Coutts, councillor for Beauly and Strathglass, confirmed: "Certainly during the time I have been a councillor, over the past six or seven years, I am aware that there have been several applications for improvement grant funding for properties owned by Mrs Gloag.

"She is free to do that in exactly the same way as everyone else is and the applications are dealt with entirely on the merit of the application made. My understanding is that none have been granted."

He added: "It's not untypical of estate owners the length and breadth of the Highlands over the generations &endash; for lots of people who perhaps could buy and sell the vast majority of us &endash; to apply."

Gloag bought the 23-bedroom Beaufort Castle, its contents and the surrounding estate, for around £3.5 million in 1995. Since then her estate managers have applied for housing improvement grants for items such as central heating or roof repairs to the many estate cottages, some of which are rented out to tenants.

The latest application is understood to have been refused at a meeting of the council last month. The recent introduction of the Housing Act means that an applicant's income is now taken into consideration, however Gloag's application was not considered since it was on a waiting list which had to be closed due to the number of applicants.

One insider claimed last night that Gloag had displayed "some brass neck" in applying.

And politicians reacted with anger when told of the millionairess's application for public money.

"It scunners me but it doesn't surprise me," said Scottish Socialist Party MSP Rosie Kane. "People like Ann Gloag are always going to be using these sorts of manoeuvres to try and feather their own nest out of the public purse. People like that just do &endash; shame on the lot of them.

"It's about time they started paying their way. If she was paying her fair share of council tax it probably shouldn't be so bad, if she stood in line with the other pensioners.

"I just hope the council are on the ball enough to see through these people. If she can't take care of the properties, hand them over to the public sector."

Labour MP Brian Wilson, a long-standing campaigner for land reform, said: "The whole Stagecoach fortune is based on public subsidy, so why change the habits of a lifetime?"

A sheriff last week ordered a couple to pay Gloag's legal expenses after finding in favour of the estate owner over her dispute with Ian and Pat Hamilton, who are her tenants.

The Hamiltons claim they have already spent £10,000 on the case and will be paying for the dispute for the rest of their lives.

Gloag was granted an interdict preventing the Hamiltons from using land and buildings not included in their lease for the estate's Coach House, where they have lived for 12 years.

Sheriff Donald Booker-Milburn ordered equipment stored in the buildings to be removed and ordered the Hamiltons to pay expenses, although not the costs of junior counsel.

In a statement following the verdict, Gloag, who is in the US receiving the Philanthropy Organisation's award for her humanitarian work, said she had been vindicated in taking legal action.

"I hope this brings this unhappy saga to an end. We have been trying to resolve this issue for nearly three years but, sadly, every effort was rejected by the tenants.

"There are many tenants living on the Beaufort estate and I take my responsibilities as owner of the estate very seriously. It is extremely important for us to have good relations with our tenants."

Ann Gloag was not available for comment last night. The court has ordered the tenants to restore the property to its original condition and pay legal fees in excess of £30,000 .

( Lee ) Castle fever - look who's buying a castle now

John Travolta's name has been linked with the purchase of a Scottish castle - Lee Castle star John Travolta has paid a secret visit to a Scottish castle amid growing speculation that he is preparing to mount a bid to buy it. Castle Lee, near Braidwood in South Lanarkshire, is the ancient seat of the Lockhart family and has its roots in the 13th century. Scots rally driver Colin McRae is also rumoured to have shown an interest in the beautiful 700-year-old castle, which is expected to fetch in excess of £8 million. But last night multi-millionaire Travolta was favourite to buy the estate after it emerged that he visited Castle Lee two weeks ago. The film star, 49, is believed to want to turn the site into a centre for Scientology, a system of beliefs followed by the actor. It aims to free the Thetan (free-thinking being), which is passed through incarnations into every mortal body. Sources close to the castle confirmed that the actor, who commands up to $20 million per movie, flew to the area by helicopter in early October and spent several hours viewing the site. "He was only here for a day. He came by helicopter, but it was all very low-key." Several locals said Travolta had been seen in the area. A Carluke man, who asked not to be named, said: "He was definitely here, quite a few people saw him. Everyone’s talking about it - it’s a small place and people get to hear about something like that." Internet bidding for the castle started on Thursday and lasts for seven days. Castle Lee was put on the market by Stephen Peter, son of American health and telecommunications millionaire Leslie Peter, who bought the castle in 1988 on a visit to research his Scottish ancestry. He died two years ago aged 69. In a move intended to avoid prying eyes, the sale is being conducted through secret mailshots to super-rich Americans and via a password-protected website. Prospective buyers submit their details to the agents in California who check their credentials to screen out time-wasters. E-mails advertising the castle have been sent to the rich and famous across the US, including Travolta, Madonna, Michael Jackson and the Microsoft computer billionaire Bill Gates. Glasgow-born property consultant Nassim Tahzib, who is based in Florida, is handling the sale of the castle via the exclusive website. He refused to reveal the identity of several potential buyers and would only say: "There has been phenomenal interest in Lee Castle, and a number of people - several of them famous - have submitted bids. Travolta - star of Grease, Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction visited Scotland in August last year with his wife, actress Kelly Preston, 39, and children Jett, 11, and Ella Bleu, three. It is thought he visited Castle Lee during his five-day visit. During his trip, he hired an entire ten-bedroom floor at Gleneagles, at a cost of £52,000, for his family and 17 staff. He registered at the hotel as JT Smith. Travolta said at the time that he wanted to improve his golfing skills and that he might build a replica of Gleneagles’ pitch-and-putt course. If Travolta did buy Castle Lee, it would not be popular with locals, as many would like to see it in Scottish hands. The sprawling two-storey castle has 12 turrets, 14 bedrooms, a ballroom, a Gothic great hall and a swimming pool. It also has a chapel, where Leslie Peter arranged to have his heart buried in a casket after his death. The castle was to be let out for £1 million a year, but his family were unable to find a tenant they deemed suitable and had his will overturned to allow them to sell. Leslie Peter, who was well-known in Hollywood and at the White House, spent millions of pounds rebuilding the castle, but a year after the restoration a fire ripped through a wing of the historic building. Fire crews helped prevent extensive damage, using water from the indoor swimming pool. The 26,000 sq ft castle has been lavishly decorated and filled with countless antiques, pieces of furniture and works of art - a large mural depicting the Battle of Bannockburn is the main feature of the ballroom. A plaque on the floor of the family chapel, inscribed with the Latin words Numquam Despera, ‘never give up’, marks the spot where Leslie Peter’s heart is buried. Robert the Bruce is said to have signed a charter under an ancient oak known as the Pease Tree in front of the castle. Oliver Cromwell is said to have rested his troops at the same spot. Stephen Peter, 47, who lives in Florida and runs an import and export business dealing in Scottish goods, admitted he is reluctant to part with the castle. "We are not selling up because we need the money, nor do we want to try to cash in on the heritage my father has left us," he said. "It is simply a matter of economics. "We do not want to wander from my father’s wish that this place is a private family home. We don’t want to turn it into a commercial venture. "But we also cannot afford to keep such a large and marvellous place as a private dwelling house. My heart says no to a sale but my wallet says yes. "It is with great personal regret that I have decided to sell, but I do hope we can keep one of the three lodges on the estate so that we retain a little of our home here in Scotland.’ It has been suggested the castle could be turned into a commercial venture to rival Skibo Castle, but Mr Peter hopes it will remain a private home for someone who appreciates the grandeur and scenery that the castle has to offer. Asked last night about how much he hoped the castle would fetch, he said: "It’s hard to place a value on it, as there is no comparable price. "You could probably come up with a hard price for the property, its fittings and the land, but how do you place a value on the history or the heritage? "The castle comes complete, the new owner won’t have to spend the next 25 years trying to set up. They can walk in here, open their suitcases and just start enjoying it." Travolta’s agent, Fred Westheimer, said last night: "We have no information to give out on this subject."

Rise in admission charge at Edinburgh Castle

ADMISSION prices to Edinburgh Castle are to go up by almost 12 per cent. Historic Scotland, which owns the Castle, said the price hike from £8.50 to £9.50 for adults was in line with its annual assessment of costs and had been prompted by market research. But Nationalist politicians have accused it of milking the Castle's reputation to solve its own cash-flow problems more

Get a Handel on Bach at Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is to host a musical journey through the ages later this month. The musical performances will be continuous throughout the day tracing a progression through 1,000 years of Scottish traditional and classical/ contemporary music. Among the performers will be The Dunedin Consort which will present the world premiere of Silhouette a piece written by young Scots composer Corinna Hewart. The Banquet of Musick will also perform some Baroque classics including works by Vivaldi, Bach and Handel. The event takes place at Stirling Castle between noon and 4pm on October 26. The Musical Journey Through the Ages is included in the normal admission price at £7.50 for adults, £2 for children and £5.50 for concessions.

Blair Castle on the fiddle

TWO of Moray’s leading fiddle musicians &endash; Stephen Cordiner, Lossiemouth, and Gemma Grant, Dufftown &endash; will compete against the cream of Scotland’s top players at the highly prestigious Glenfiddich Fiddle Championship. The event takes place at Blair Castle, near Pitlochry, on November 2, and will feature eight of the country’s leading solo fiddlers, including Stephen (22), who has just completed an honours degree at the Royal Northern College of Music, and Gemma, who is currently studying for a BA in musical studies at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Mr Peter Gordon, great-great-grandson of the founder of Glenfiddich Distillery, Dufftown, said: “This is the 14th Glenfiddich Fiddle Championship, and each year the standard of competition gets higher. The championship is a unique opportunity to showcase the very best solo fiddlers in Scotland, and Blair Castle provides the perfect backdrop for such a prestigious traditional music contest. “The event is always well supported, but this time we hope that even more people, particularly from Moray, will come along to enjoy some wonderful music and give encouragement to our two local contenders.” Tickets for the Glenfiddich Fiddle Championship will be available for sale on the day at Blair Castle priced £5, including programme, with battle commencing at 2pm. The sponsorship forms part of Glenfiddich’s commitment to supporting Scotland’s traditional cultural heritage.

new facility for weddings at Edinburgh Castle

An 18th-century barracks at the heart of Edinburgh Castle is set to be transformed into the ultimate wedding venue. The Queen Anne building was formerly a barracks then a museum, but has been derelict for years. Historic Scotland, which runs the Castle, has launched a huge restoration project after being forced to turn away couples planning to hold weddings with more than 40 guests. From next April, the Castle will be able to house weddings three times the size of events held in its gatehouse suite. Edinburgh Tourist Board does receive inquiries about venues for weddings, particularly after high-profile celebrity weddings in Scotland such as Madonna's and Stella McCartney's. "Edinburgh Castle has to be one of the most romantic venues in the UK in which to get married, so increasing its capacity so significantly can only be a good thing." A permanent interactive exhibition inside the 16th-century vaults . For more details about getting married at Edinburgh Castle fill in an enquiry form

URQUHART Castle, one of Scotland's most historic and picturesque properties, has been bequeathed to the National Trust for Scotland, it emerged yesterday. Although the castle is managed by Historic Scotland, it remained the property of Eila Chewett of Bushey Heath, Hertfordshire. Mrs Chewett, whose late husband purchased the castle, which stands of the shores of Loch Ness, in the 1930s, died this year. Although she was not a member of the NTS, she handed over ownership of the ruined castle and the associated landing pier. The trust will enter discussions with Historic Scotland to ensure the integrity of the site is maintained. The castle will continue to open as usual. Robin Pellew, NTS's chief executive, said: "We are delighted to have been gifted this castle. We believe it demonstrates the trust people bestow upon us to take good care of historic buildings." The history of Urquhart Castle is as chequered as it is ancient. Records of it first appeared around 1230, when Alexander II used it while crushing a revolt in Moray.

Leonardo da Vinci painting stolen from Drumlanrig Castle

A priceless painting "Madonna with the Yarnwinder" has been stolen from Drumlanrig Castle

Celebrity wedding in a Scottish castle

TRAVIS star Dougie Payne has married actress Kelly Macdonald at Castle Lachlan

Lee Castle

Kinloch Castle

This remote castle is 100 years old and in urgent need of repair .

Aberystwyth Castle

A unique rock concert has been organised in a 13th century Welsh castle - Aberystwyth Castle

Fort Augustus Abbey

A property tycoon has put an historic Scottish abbey up for auction for more than £1million . Fort Augustus Abbey goes on sale by auction in October

EDINBURGH Castle and a host of other historic properties throughout Scotland are facing privatisation under plans being considered by ministers. The Scottish Executive has published a review of the operations of Historic Scotland, which owns or cares for 300 ancient buildings and monuments including Stirling and Urquhart castles, Jedburgh Abbey and the Callanish Stones. The review has suggested the agency might be privatised to help it look after Scotland’s heritage and boost tourism. However, the proposals were last night condemned as an ‘obscenity’ by the SNP, which insisted Scotland’s heritage should remain in public ownership. Outlining the options available to ministers, the Scottish Executive review said: "Is the current organisational structure of Historic Scotland appropriate to the delivery of the organisation’s objectives? "Would a different organisational structure improve the delivery of Historic Scotland’s objectives? "Some possible alternatives might include a non-departmental public body, a core Scottish Executive department, a private sector organisation or a voluntary sector body." Historic Scotland employs more than 800 people across Scotland. Some are based at offices in Edinburgh, Stirling, and Fort George near Inverness with the rest working at the individual properties. The agency receives £30m from the Scottish Executive each year and also generates £20m through admission charges, membership fees and retailing, such as selling souvenirs. However, in recent years the agency’s budget has been under pressure. Historic Scotland has admitted its £11m annual budget for the repair of historic buildings faced an increasing number of demands. A report by the agency said: "There is continuing long-term pressure on the Historic Buildings Repair Grant budget. "We will give priority to outstanding buildings in most urgent need of repair and where the need for assistance from public funds can be demonstrated." Critics of the plans have suggested the privatisation could see admission prices rise in some of the most popular attractions. They include Edinburgh Castle, which charges £8.50 for admission, Stirling Castle, which costs £7.50, and Urquhart Castle - on the shores of Loch Ness - which charges £5.50. Privatisation would also give rise to worries that visitors might be forced to pay to visit the many buildings and sites which are currently free, in order to stop them from falling into disrepair. The free sights include the Callanish Stones in Lewis, Beauly Priory and St Ninian’s Chapel on the Isle of Whithorn, the most southerly of Historic Scotland’s attractions. Roseanna Cunningham, the SNP’s heritage and culture spokeswoman, said: "It would be an obscenity for Scotland’s heritage to be sold off to the highest bidder. "Historic Scotland holds in trust some of the most important sights in Scottish history. They belong to the nation and must never belong to a private company." Helen Eadie, the Labour MSP for Dunfermline East, said: "I would have some serious concerns about Historic Scotland being privatised. "I believe there may be some role for the private sector in attracting the capital necessary to restore our buildings, but I would not want to see large numbers of our historic buildings handed over to the private sector." Trade unions have also expressed concerns over the proposals. A spokesman for the PCS union, which represents many of the workers on Historic Scotland sites, said: "Although these plans are at a very early stage, we are watching them closely. "We would be very concerned if Historic Scotland were to be privatised." Other options for the future of Historic Scotland might see its commercial and regulatory functions split. A Scottish Executive spokeswoman last night said that privatisation was only one of a range of options being considered by ministers and that there were no firm plans to sell off the agency.

source - Scotland on Sunday

Channel 4 has just announced a new series Castle about medieval castles in the UK , presented by historian Marc Morris . The castles featured include Craigievar Castle and Threave Castle .

Full details on the Channel 4 website

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