Traill Hall in Castletown could be sold in new year, according to agents
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A historic Caithness building, described as "unique and attractive," could be sold next year, according to the estate agent handling the sale.
Yvonne Fitzgerald said the B-listed Traill Hall in Castletown has been generating interest since going on the market.
Ms Fitzgerald, who runs Yvonne Fitzgerald Properties in Thurso, said: "We are still actively carrying out viewings and achieving a good level of interest for the property. Hopefully, we will get a buyer for it in the new year."
The building which was gifted to the village in 1867 by Margaret Traill – the daughter of Sheriff James Traill, who pioneered the local flagstone industry – as a public hall and reading room.
It was later used as a temporary school, a canteen and a youth club before becoming a store for the Norfrost freezer firm but it has been unoccupied for over 27 years.
Attempts were made to get the hall back into public use but they proved unsuccessful and it was decided at a meeting last year to put the building on the market. It was valued at over £60,000. The proceeds from any sale will go to local organisations.
The Traill Hall Community Trust, which is responsible for the property, expects that if it is sold it will be developed "within a certain timescale" so it is not left unoccupied.
The trust explored various options for the 19th-century building. One of the proposals was to turn it into a childcare hub, along with other facilities for local people, but that plan was dealt a blow when the Casper Club, the body behind the initiative, folded.
Efforts were also made to get the Landmark Trust and the Prince's Regeneration Trust interested but they were unwilling to take it on and it was agreed to put the hall up for sale. The trustees found it difficult to raise the money to get the premises back into public use. In 2012, it was estimated it would cost about £1 million.
If the building is sold it is expected another public meeting could be held to decide where the proceeds should go.
At last year's meeting it was suggested the Drill Hall, the village youth club, the community café and Castlehill harbour could be among those to benefit from the sale of the premises.
