Trans lady of the manor: I'll buy up 500 acres of Highland woodland to halt wind farm development

A tycoon who claimed the Highlands are 'not ready' for a transgender chatelaine wants to buy 517 acres of 'ancient' woodland to stop multi-million pound energy schemes being built.

Self-styled lady of the manor Samantha Kane wants to buy the expanse of forest around Carbisdale Castle, near Bonar Bridge, Sutherland, to preserve its 'natural outstanding beauty' for future generations.

Her bid to acquire the land from Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) comes just weeks after the multi-millionaire barrister put the hill-top mansion on the market for offers over £5million

She said she was selling the iconic 117-year-old, 19-bedroom property, which she has ploughed millions of her fortune into, restoring to its former glory, because locals were 'not ready' for someone like her owning the castle.

But last night Ms Kane - thought to be the only person in Britain to have changed genders three times after being born male - said a 'situation has come to my attention that the current landowners don't intend to use it [forest] for the purposes it was intended'.

The 64-year-old claims the ancient woodland - covering an area of more than 300 football pitches - was acquired by the government sometime between 1945 and 1998.

But she insisted there is 'no record' of a sale and said historical documents show it was only intended to be used for forestry or agriculture.

With talk of future wind turbines and proposals for 'monster' pylons running across the land, she believes it is only right as the 'successor of the original owner' she is able to buy back the land and preserve the 'forest, the castle and the local area for future generations'.

Ms Kane told the Mail: 'There is this blind drive to get to Net Zero in Scotland at break-neck speed, but it cannot be at all costs. Historical landmarks and assets should be protected.

'If they [FLS] are not looking after it [the forest] I have management and plans in place which will ensure its future is looked after.

'No matter who the custodian is, it should remain a tourist attraction. The forest is a vital place for the castle and the community.'

She believes the historical importance of the imposing castle and the ancient woodland with its variety of rare species, is so great that it warrants consideration for the area to become the seventh UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ms Kane added: 'I'm not against Net Zero but what I am saying is there are extremely sensitive areas within the vicinity of the castle which needs to be protected.

'Once you make irreparable damage to historical assets, the asset itself becomes endangered.'

Earlier this year she planned to lodge a court order to stop Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks from being able to build giant pylons close to the landmark as part of its new multi-million overhead power line from Beauly to Spittal.

But a sheriff deemed her writ 'incompetent' and refused to call her case.

A spokesman for FLS confirmed it has received 'an approach' for the land but was unable to comment further.

Ms Kane said her latest bid has not affected her decision to sell the property.

But she vowed: 'I will not leave unless someone who will share my vision is going to make sure this castle will be cherished and preserved'.

Locals insisted the area was a 'welcoming place' and rubbished her claims that they were not ready to accept someone who was transgender.