A statement from the Clan Donald Lands Trust 24th March 2025
Added at 09:15 on 25 March 2025
A statement has been issues by the three trustees of the Clan Donald Lands Trust dated 24th March 2025.
'We write to let you know that after a thorough review, the Board of Trustees of the Clan Donald Lands Trust has taken the difficult decision to sell its land and property assets, including Armadale.
Marketing of the majority will commence on 27 March, with Armadale to be marketed separately later this Spring. Our selling agents are Strutt and Parker.
We have been open about the financial challenges facing our charity. Due to the high-cost, low-income nature of Armadale, we have always been reliant on external grant funding to cover our operating costs.
The availability of this funding has been reduced by the impact of ongoing investment market volatility. At the same time our core costs - including electricity, insurance and essential building repairs - have massively increased.
As trustees, our overriding legal duty is to manage the charity's assets to deliver our charitable purposes. To enable this, the charity is required to be financially viable. To safeguard the charity's future we will reform our operations and focus on our core purpose of protecting and promoting Clan and indigenous Highland heritage.
The sale of our property assets will allow the charity to stand on its own feet for the first time, no longer dependent on unstable external grant funding. We are required to sell these assets to a buyer that is in a strong financial position; we believe Sleat will benefit from the wealth and investment that such a buyer will bring into the area.
After the sale and reformation, the charity will become a grant-giving body headquartered in the Gaidhealtachd, location yet to be confirmed. We will consider grant applications from organisations and individuals supporting Clan and indigenous Highland heritage projects including art, music, literature, history and education. In this way, we will make a meaningful contribution to the people and culture of our homeland for decades to come.
We are grateful for your continuing support and understanding and look forward to working positively with you during this time of transition - and opportunity - for the landscape we all love so dearly.
Please direct all sale enquires to either Robert.McCulloch@StruttAndParker.com or Euan.MacCrimmon@StruttAndParker.com
For estate management related enquiries please contact pippa@highlandrural.com
The Board will not be making any further public comment at this time.
Board of Trustees
Ranald Macdonald of Boisdale and Younger of Clanranald (Chair of Trustees)
Major (Ret.) Bruce Mcdonald
Diane Carey-Schmitz
NB - We want to reassure all our visitors, partners, and supporters that while the business is currently being sold, this will not affect any bookings, tickets, or planned visits for the 2025 season.
It’s very much business as usual here at Armadale Castle, Gardens & Museum. We’re looking forward to welcoming you for another wonderful year of history, heritage, and Highland hospitality.
Thank you for your continued support.'
https://armadalecastle.com/statement/