A GROUP of Scottish students have launched an ambitious crowd-funding bid to buy a Scottish castle and home Britain’s destitute asylum-seekers.

The dozen students and their dog, who are calling themselves the “Comrades of the Glen,” have their eye on a Perthshire property which is currently on the market for £6 million.

They have already stunned doubters by raising £500 in the space of 48 hours but only have only two more months to raise the rest.

Crowd-fund founder Eva Nohe said: “It’s shocking that in the UK some people can afford to live in a castles, while others end up sleeping in the streets.

“Our proposal would turn the castle into quality, humane housing and community space for asylum-seekers.”

The group has previously been involved in fair-trade and sustainability projects at the University of Aberdeen.

Their food co-op The Corner was awarded a National Union of Students award earlier this year for its entrepreneurial yet socially conscious savviness.

Donors can expect to be part of the castle’s life and “experience the unique atmosphere of a left-wing radical community living in a gentrified commune.”

For a £20 donation the Comrades of the Glen offer naming a pheasant after the donor.

An all-inclusive weekend stay comes with every £500 contribution.

The students are hoping to counter the anti-immigrant hysteria whipped up by Ukip and the right-wing media.

“With this appeal, we want to spark discussion about the lack of human rights and decent support for asylum-seekers in the UK,” said Ms Nohe.

“We hope that our unconventional bid will inspire others to act in solidarity with asylum seekers and to dream big.”

Refugees are currently banned from working while awaiting the Home Office’s decision on their asylum request.

According to the Refugee Survival Trust, over half of all applicants live in extreme poverty while they wait and a third become homeless during the process.

With that in mind, the group promised that “if this particular castle is sold and we reach our goal we will look for another castle.”

joanaramiro@peoples-press.com