Rumster Outdoor Centre destroyed by fire

The disused Rumster Outdoor Centre, Caithness has been destroyed by a fire.

Owner, The Highland Council is commissioning contractors to make safe and fence off the area around the Centre for public safety and also to carry out site demolition and clearing works.

The centre was closed in 1999 and the Council’s Caithness Committee agreed on September 26th, 2005 to sell the outdoor centre to the Rumster Outdoor Management Group at below market value subject to the appropriate consents being received from the Council’s Resources Committee and Scottish Ministers.

This decision was confirmed by the Council’s Resources Committee on 30th November, 2005 and the Council is awaiting consent for the transaction from Scottish Ministers under Section 74(2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Miles Greenford, Chairman of Rumster Outdoor Centre Management Group said: “This does not prevent the ongoing work by the Rumster Outdoor Centre Management Group from purchasing the site with the long term aim of building a purpose designed, community involved and owned 21st Century Residential Outdoor Centre for the benefits of a wide range of potential users.”

Chairman of The Highland Council’s Caithness Area Committee, Councillor David Flear, said: “I am content that the Rumster Outdoor Centre Management Group do not think that this will be a hindrance to developing a valuable resource for Caithness.”