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Carbisdale Castle on sale for fourth time in eight years

Strutt & Parker An aerial image of Carbisdale CastleStrutt & Parker
Carbisdale was built for a duchess in the early 20th Century

A historic country house has been put up for sale for the fourth time in eight years.

Clifftop Carbisdale Castle, near Ardgay in Sutherland, is on the market for a guide price of £5m.

Barrister Samantha Kane bought the property, which dates to the early 20th Century, in 2022.

She told BBC Scotland News she had decided to sell up because she had finished the job of saving the property from ruin, and needed to be in London for her work.

Carbisdale Castle was built for Mary Caroline, the Duchess of Sutherland.

At the time she was embroiled in bitter a feud with her in-laws - which led to it being dubbed the "Castle of Spite".

The duchess selected a hillside plot close to - and visible from - her in-laws' Sutherland Estate.

Carbisdale's clock tower was built with only three faces, with the side facing the estate blank because the duchess did not want to give her former in-laws the time of day.

Over the years, it has been a war-time sanctuary for members of the Norwegian royal family and a youth hostel.

For 60 years from 1945 the castle was a youth hostel.

The property is said to be haunted by a ghost called Betty.

Strutt & Parker Carbisdale Castle entrance and clock towerStrutt & Parker
The property was a youth hostel for many years
Strutt & Parker Aerial image of Carbisdale Castle on a tree-covered cliff overlooking a lochStrutt & Parker
Strutt & Parker A room with pictures on the walls and pool table under lights. There is an animal hide rug on the floorStrutt & Parker
The property has gone on the market with a guide price of £5m

Ms Kane said: "After long and hard thinking, I have come to the conclusion that the best interest of Carbisdale Castle will be served if I remove myself as custodian.

"I have done what I said I would do, namely, restoring the castle to its former glory from being a near-ruin, and preserved its art and history for future generations."

She added: "As a barrister, I've been missing the courts, and need to get back to my clients in London, after ensuring Carbisdale Castle is passed on to an appropriate custodian, who shares my vision of this most iconic and atmospheric piece of Scottish history."