THE battle for the future of the iconic National Wallace Monument will be decided today as councillors decide whether or not to take the heritage landmark into their own hands.
The National revealed in March how Stirling District Tourism (SDT), which runs the attraction on behalf of the local council, looks set to lose control when the current lease runs out at the end of November.
The move follows failed contract talks, with Stirling Council stating it was unable to make a “best value” deal and aims to put the 151-year-old centre at the heart of the region’s tourism push.
But, in a counter move, SDT says that would jeopardise the conservation of the structure and risk the legacy of William Wallace, with proceeds from tickets and more funnelled into other projects.
It says it wants to put the monument into community ownership to protect it for posterity. After months of claim and counter-claim, councillors will today cast their votes on the matter.
READ MORE: Edinburgh Castle and Wallace Monument 'butchered' in Microsoft Flight Simulator
If the change is approved, Stirling Council may be liable for the “existing investment and operation of the monument at the date of termination of the existing lease”.
SDT hasn’t said exactly how much that is, but officials believe it could be around £500,000, with another cost of £200,000 likely to cover costs in the period from November 27 – the date the transfer would happen – until April.
But the shift doesn’t include the visitor centre and cafe or car park, which are owned by SDT on land leased from local charity Cowane’s Trust, meaning further talks will be necessary on the use of these.
A council paper says running the monument presents a “long term opportunity” and a new arm’s-length external organisation (Aleo) could be created to handle this.
Zillah Jamieson, chair of SDT, said: “The National Wallace Monument was funded by the ordinary man in the street from across Scotland and beyond – it should therefore, by right, be returned to the people through community ownership.
READ MORE: Coronavirus in Scotland: National Wallace monument to reopen
“Only then can Scotland be sure that it will be protected for future generations to be inspired by Sir William Wallace’s legacy.”
But Stirling Council said: “The Monument is already in public ownership so it’s surprising SDT has launched a campaign via the media to bring it into community ownership.
“We note that SDT did not raise this proposal during two years of negotiations to reach a new agreement over the future management of the Monument and it is disappointing that they have chosen to announce it in a press release rather than raise it during discussions.
“However, this has been the dismissive approach to engagement throughout the negotiations; distinctively lacking regard for the community thus far and the asset, which is already publicly owned.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel