Muness Castle back on the market for £250,000

MUNESS Castle is back on the market despite appearing to be sold to new owner in an online auction on Friday – but this time the guide price has risen to a quarter of a million.

The ruin of the 16th century castle, the most northerly in the UK, comes with 160 acres of crofting land at the southeast tip of the island of Unst.

The castle, described as vacant with no bedrooms, is sold via online bidding by Glasgow based Future Property Auctions. The auction closes on Friday afternoon.

Last week, the land including its A-listed castle went on sale initially for offers over £130,000, which was later increased to £160,000.

Last Friday, it looked as though the sale went through for £184,000, but it is now back on the market.

The 22.3 by 7.9 metre castle was built for Laurence Bruce of Cultmalindie in the late 1500s, and was abandoned and roofless by the later 18th century. The castle passed into state care in 1956.

Historic Environment Scotland has confirmed that any sale of the building and surrounding land will have no impact on the arrangements for maintenance and care of the historic building.

The land that comes with the castle is part of five different crofts in the area, and protected under crofting legislation.

Future Property Auctions has been approached for clarification.