Highland Carbisdale castle on sale for £5m after owner 'suffers transphobic abuse'

The owner of a Highland castle has revealed she is reluctantly selling up after suffering harassment over her transgender identity.

Samantha Kane has just completed a restoration of Carbisdale Castle in Sutherland. The 20-bedroom estate, first built for the Duchess of Sutherland between 1905 and 1917, was to become a members’ club.

It had been a labour of love, refurbishing a dilapidated century-old castle left deserted for some years.

But two years after buying the place for £1.2m, the London barrister has revealed that her dream has been spoiled.

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

She told STV News that while the vast majority of people in the area have accepted her, she has suffered harassment, particularly online.

“There were great people I met here, members of the community,” Ms Kane said.

Nestled among lush forests in the Scottish Highlands, Carbisdale Castle, overlooking a serene landscape marked by vibrant greenery and a tranquil river Getty Images

“But some, I would say only a few, were really looking at my life and gender issues and background in a discriminatory way, which I thought would harm the castle.”

Ms Kane served for a while as a community councillor but says faced occasional hostility.

There were other conflicts including issues with energy firm SSEN over its plans to run a new pylon line close to the castle, as well as opposition to her successful application to Forestry and Land Scotland to buy seven acres of land beside Carbisdale.

The castle was previously run as a youth hostel before being bought by Ms Kane in 2022.

Ms Kane said: “It’s been a challenge. It’s been a lovely experience. I’m sure your viewers will have seen photographs of before and after.

“I’m so proud of what I’ve done here at Carbisdale. This building should be cherished and preserved for future generations.”

Carbisdale Castle is a grade B mansion house listed by Historic Environment Scotland. Strutt and Parker

As the castle returns to the market, the final chapter recounting Ms Kane’s brief tenure at Carbisdale has not yet been told.

She says it may be a good time to write her memoirs.

As for those who prompted her reluctant decision to leave, she said: “I really hope that whoever caused this will reflect. It certainly shouldn’t be allowed.”