Abbey interest hots up

The abbey is proving an attractive proposition

An historic abbey auctioned just last month could soon have another new owner.

Fort Augustus Abbey, Loch Ness, was bought by property tycoon Brendan Kylie, from Manchester, for £850,000.

The 18th century building was sold to Mr Kylie by Abbey Millennium (AML), which is headed by wildlife expert and TV presenter Terry Nutkins.

Now Highlands businessman Michael Campbell has confirmed his interest in the abbey.

Mr Kylie said he could not rule out selling the 260-year-old property and was keeping his options open.

Local interest

Before last month's sale a local community trust sought to buy the abbey but had its offer rejected.

AML claimed the Fort Augustus Abbey Preservation Trust (FAAPT) had insufficient funding.

However, the FAAPT had hoped to take over the grade A-listed building if a buyer had not been found.

Set in 22 acres of ground, it also has the site of the original Hanoverian fort that gave Fort Augustus its name.

For decades it was a religious centre and more recently an exclusive fee paying school.

Mr Nutkins set up AML in 2000, planning to restore the building to its former glory as a Benedictine monastery and create a tourist attraction including a maze.

But two of his backers pulled out of the five-year development project.