Laird ‘relieved’ over castle sale after nearly 150 years in family

By MOIRA KERR
Published on 03/10/2012 02:19

A HEBRIDEAN castle has been sold to a mystery Swiss buyer, ending a family’s 147-year ownership.

Chris James, the fifth laird of Torosay Castle on Mull, which was on the market for offers over £1.65 million, said he had thoroughly enjoyed his time looking after the Scottish baronial pile.

But Mr James, 55, revealed that he was relieved to have sold the home, as it needs more than £1m of repairs.

He said yesterday: “Do I regret that I am not worth £30m and able to keep it? Yes I do. But I have had years of knowing this was going to happen.

“It’s three years since I decided I was going to try and sell it, so it was much more a feeling of relief.”

He added: “It was a private sale to a Swiss lady. I am very grateful to her for taking it off my hands.”

He said: “The first thing they are 
going to do is to spend a large amount of money on the roof.”