A Hebridean castle visited by King Edward VII is under threat of demolition.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has warned Kinloch Castle on Rum has "no future" unless it can find £20m to restore the building and reopen it to the public.

The castle was built by the industrialist George Bullough in the 1800s and sold to the government in the 1950s after falling into disrepair.

It was used as a hostel until 2015 and SNH believes it could reopen as a hotel and museum if funding can be found.

In a recent report, the organisation said: "We have been trying to find an acceptable and affordable future for Kinloch Castle for over a decade.

"In that time, the condition of the building has continued to deteriorate despite considerable sums spent to address the most serious issues.

"The options are stark: we either find a way to generate significant funds over many years to invest in renovating the building and securing a cost-effective use for the building or we accept that the castle has no future and should be demolished."

Catherine Duckworth, honorary secretary of the Kinloch Castle Friends Association, said restoring the Grade A listed building would help attract visitors to the island.

"It is clear from the report that to do nothing is not an option," she said.

"We want to see the castle restored - not as it is but to a viable use. That includes accommodation for visitors and people living on the island.

"Rum needs more jobs opportunities and this would attract visitors to the community."