Police are appealing for information following the alleged theft of a 19th-century painting from Kinloch Castle on Rum.
The appeal was sent out on Sunday, October 15, although the painting – Steam Yacht ‘Rhouma I’ – by Charles Dixon (1872–1934) was reported missing in the middle of July following a break-in at the ‘secured’ premises which also benefits from CCTV.
A spokesperson for NatureScot, which is the current custodian of the castle, said: “Following a break-in at Kinloch Castle on Saturday July 15, NatureScot staff carried out a thorough inventory check and established that a painting had been taken.
“Police are continuing to investigate the matter and we urge any members of the public with information to contact them directly.”
The castle has been boarded up since 2013 while a new owner is being sought.
In 2021, a box of drinks bottles and glasses went missing from the castle and was later found in a house on Rum along with a sword and wooden snake pole.
“Police Scotland previously reviewed the building security at Kinloch Castle and as a result additional CCTV was deployed in and around the castle,” added the NatureScot spokesperson.
“The building is securely locked at all times when not occupied.”
Built in 1900 by wealthy industrialist George Bullough, the castle still contains many of his belongings, which hint at the opulent lifestyle of the heir to a textile manufacturing fortune and the high living he enjoyed.
An anticipated sale to millionaire financier Jeremy Hosking fell through in March following an intervention from the Isle of Rum Development Trust and government minister Lorna Slater.
Displayed in the dining room, the missing painting is an oil on canvas which captures ‘Rhouma’ in all her magnificence at the 1896 Cowes Regatta. It was purchased as part of the Bullough Estate in 1957.
When contacted by the Lochaber Times earlier this week, Kinloch Castle Friends Association (KCFA), which previously tried to buy the castle, said this was the first they had heard of the break-in and subsequent removal of the painting.
They told us that this latest incident signalled a “lack of care” at the building.
“There are many paintings of different sizes and quality, and as far as we have been informed by NatureScot there should be no access to the castle at all at the moment,” said KCFA honorary secretary Catherine Duckworth.
“We have been denied access by NatureScot and have been told that the castle is secure except for one member of staff checking it regularly.
“We have been told there are cameras monitoring access, following on from the previous thefts.
“If there has been another theft, then this is further evidence of the lack of care by NatureScot of a Category A listed building and the important contents – it has always been acknowledged that the contents of the castle are as important as a whole (not individually) as the building.
“Further delays and failure to act by the minister concerned are causing untold damage to the building and contents.
“The castle could be by now in course of development to provide much needed extra accommodation and employment for the local and wider community but instead it was all put on hold.
“This all has a high cost to the Scottish people.”
Ms Slater visited Rum in May and later conceded the majority of residents supported the sale. A six-month consultation was then launched on the island over the castle’s future.
Police Scotland Highlands and Islands said in a statement: “We are appealing for any information in relation to the theft of a painting from Kinloch Castle on the Isle of Rum that occurred on the 15th of July 2023.
“Anyone with information in relation to this incident, or the identification of the persons involved are asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident reference 0929 of 17/07/2023.
“Alternatively, you can provide information 100 per cent anonymously through CrimeStoppers at https://ow.ly/iTcH50PWNJg.