Following the meeting of the Executive Committee of Argyll and Bute Council on Thursday 17 December 2009, representatives of the Council and Actual Reality Learning and Leadership Limited met on Monday, 21 December at Kilmory.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the continued use of Castle Toward by Actual Reality for the delivery of outdoor education. The Castle was temporarily closed by the Council on November 13 due to the Council’s concerns about fire safety.

The Council and Actual Reality had a positive meeting on Monday and agreed on a course of action to establish what essential works must be carried out to allow the Castle to be re-occupied safely for public use.

The first step will be taken early in the New Year when experts representing the Council and the company will meet to carry out a technical review of the works required. A further meeting will take place between the representatives of the Council and Directors of the company to discuss the most appropriate course of action.

There will also be an early meeting between Council officers and the management of Castle Toward to discuss whether any restricted, non-residential use of Castle Toward can be safely allowed before the essential works are carried out. Following this discussion a final decision on this matter will be taken on considerations of safety by the Council’s Director of Community Services.

On 17 December the Council confirmed its previous decisions to sell Castle Toward and authorised the Director of Community Services to discuss possible sale terms with prospective services, in particular with Actual Reality. At the meeting on 21 December the representatives of Actual Reality confirmed the company’s wish to buy the Castle and it was agreed that its agents would meet Council officers early in the New Year.

Note to editors

Actual Reality Learning and Leadership Limited is a not-for-profit company set up by outdoor education staff when Strathclyde Regional Council was broken up in 1996, to continue the provision of outdoor education at Castle Toward and Ardentinny.

The ownership of Castle Toward and Ardentinny was vested in Argyll and Bute Council as part of the reorganisation of local government.

In 2000 Argyll and Bute Council agreed with Glasgow City Council and East Renfrewshire Council that Actual Reality could continue to provide outdoor education at Castle Toward and Ardentinny.

The office is closed for Christmas and New Year and will re-open on Tuesday 5 January 2010 23 December 2009