PLANS to re-open ancient buildings and monuments in the care of Historic Environment Scotland have been hit by a number of closures on safety grounds.
Abbeys and castles across Scotland are either fully or partially closed due to unstable masonry. The National can reveal that the problem has severely disrupted Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) plans to re-open its staffed attractions on a phased basis.
HES castles which have been affected include Bothwell, Craigmillar Crichton, Dirleton, Doune, McLellan’s, Rothesay and Tantallon. Abbeys affected include Arbroath, Dryburgh, Jedburgh, Kelso, Melrose (below), and Sweetheart. Dunkeld Cathedral and Maybole Collegiate Church are also closed “as a precautionary measure”, as HES stated.
The disruption has affected people trying to holiday within Scotland and has led to questions as to why so many attractions, and not just HES ones, are still closed.
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Reader Rosemarie Hogg wrote to tell us of her recent week’s holiday in the Scottish Borders.
She said: “We booked a staycation in the Kingsknowe Hotel in Galashiels, to take advantage of all the historical sites in the area and to support the local economy.
“Tuesday – Abbotsford house, wonderful place. Dryburgh Abbey and Church – closed due to H&S issues (apparently). William Wallace statue – stunning. Melrose Abbey – closed due to falling masonry so only walked around the grounds and visited abbey museum.
“Wednesday – off to Ettrick, James Hogg statue and memorial. Hogg’s exhibition was closed. Selkirk – Courtroom and Halliwell museum both closed due to Covid. Smailholm tower closed due to Covid so we only walked round it.
“Thursday – Jedburgh Abbey – tickets booked online the night before. On arrival told that we would not get into the abbey due to falling masonry ... Jedburgh jail and Queen Mary’s house were not closed due to Covid. Kelso Abbey – closed on Thursdays.
“Friday – climbed up to Roxburgh castle ruins, avoiding four-feet high nettles. Floors Castle and gardens – fabulous place.
“All in all an interesting few days, but disappointing that so many attractions were still closed. All we wanted to do was soak up the abundance of Scottish history in the area and help the local economy. If Scotland is to survive this pandemic, then these buildings should be open to the public.
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“Our local village – around 700 residents – has tiny museums which are all open to the public, so why couldn’t the ones in the Borders have made suitable arrangements?”
A spokesperson for HES said: “We’re currently undertaking planned inspection works at some of our sites, where a potential issue has been identified with high level masonry so as a precaution some access has been restricted until further inspections can take place.
“We understand how keen visitors are to visit sites and where we are able to safely facilitate access, whilst further inspection work is ongoing, have opened up areas including the grounds at Jedburgh and Melrose for visitors to enjoy.
“We are also continuing to re-open sites on a rolling basis across Scotland with further sites to be announced shortly.”
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