Two rescued from blaze horror at castle resort

TWO people were rescued last night after a blaze ripped through a castle.

Firefighters were called to Skibo Castle, which has one of the world’s most prestigious private members’ clubs, yesterday evening.

The blaze is thought to have broken out in a chimney and spread through the roof space.

Six fire engines, police cars and ambulances arrived at the luxury retreat near Dornoch, Sutherland, after the alarm was raised.

Two people were rescued from the building, which is home to the exclusive Carnegie Club, and treated at the scene by paramedics.

A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 8.18pm

Hosted Madonna’s wedding to Guy Ritchie

to reports of a fire at Skibo Castle in Dornoch, Sutherland.

‘Operations control mobilised a number of resources to the scene, where crews remain in attendance.’

The extent of the damage to the castle is not yet known.

The 8,000-acre estate – which hosted singer Madonna’s wedding to British film director Guy Ritchie in 2000 – also includes a championship golf course, a spa and 21 guest rooms.

The Carnegie Club has around 350 members including chief executives, oil tycoons and aristocrats from countries such as Russia, Switzerland and Austria. Membership fees are around £8,000 a year.

The property, which can trace its origins back more than 800 years, was bought by Scots-born industrialist Andrew Carnegie in 1898. The estate remained in the Carnegie family until 1982. It was sold to US businessman Ellis Short for £23million in 2003.

In 1994, a fire broke out in the castle basement, damaging parts of the ground floor and servants’ quarters. That blaze was brought under control within two hours.