The Scottish Government is making new moves to broker a deal to resolve a 10-year dispute over the future of one of Scotland's best-known castles.
Castle Tioram, on Loch Moidart in the Highlands, has been at the centre of a bitter battle between its owner and Historic Scotland over plans for a £4.5m renovation.
Lex Brown, who owns the castle, wants to transform the building, but Historic Scotland has objected to the granting of scheduled monument consent, necessary for the plans to go ahead.
Now Culture Minister Linda Fabiani has agreed to help arrange and sit in on a meeting between the two parties to establish if a compromise can be agreed before a fresh application is lodged with Historic Scotland.
Mr Brown told The Herald: "I am hopeful that with her intervention I can break the deadlock that is stopping me realise my dream to save Tioram from rotting into oblivion.
"I am most encouraged the SNP recognise the importance of listening to the community and encouraging redevelopment. I have, therefore, decided to reapply for permission."
Mr Brown's plans to renovate and reroof the building were turned down in 2002 after a public inquiry, despite support from the local community and Highland Council. The two sides met in 2004 and again the next year. In 2006 there were hopes for a compromise when Geoffrey Stell, former head of architecture at the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, was commissioned to examine the cultural significance of the castle.
However, after receiving his report, Historic Scotland concluded the castle should be made safe, but not reroofed and adapted.
Linda Fabiani MSP said: "I am aware the owner of Castle Tioram intends to submit a new application for scheduled monument consent for work to this nationally important monument. I intended to sit in on a meeting between Historic Scotland and the owner's agent to get a better understanding of the case, but it was postponed at the agent's request and is still to be rescheduled."
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