Glengyle House is to be sold by Scottish Water

Deputy Environment Minister Lewis Macdonald said there was no reason why the house should not be sold.

Scottish Water is selling Glengyle House at Loch Katrine, along with other surplus property.

However, the Scottish National Party's Richard Lochhead said he was disappointed at the "short-sighted" response.

He said: "I have been inundated with messages supporting a halt to the sale to provide a breathing space for individuals and organisations who wish to see Glengyle House retained in public ownership.

I see no grounds that the sale would be improper Lewis Macdonald Deputy environment minister

"It can only be hoped that any new owner is sympathetic to the site's historic significance and allows those organisations who have an interest a role in its development and use.

"The whole issue of publicly-owned sites being sold off with no consultation must be reviewed by ministers, especially when such sites have special features."

Glengyle House is expected to fetch up to �500,000 in the sale.

Built close to the water's edge, the house dates back to the early 18th century and is built on the site of a stone cottage in which the Highland hero Rob Roy is said to have been born in 1671.

Empty for years

The Category B-listed building has been owned by successive water authorities since the 1930s but has been unoccupied for several years.

Scottish Water has said it is obliged to sell unused and surplus assets for the best possible price.

It said the property had lain empty for five years and required more investment after maintenance work to make the structure wind and watertight.

In a letter of reply to Mr Lochhead, the minister said the sale was fully in line with public sector finance rules and proceeds would be used by Scottish Water for the benefit of its customers.