5 August 2009

Media Releases

Culture Minister Michael Russell has announced £500,000 for repairs to the home of Sir Walter Scott. Abbotsford House in Melrose is one of four projects to share nearly £1 million in Historic Scotland grant alongside Glasgow Art Club, the Royal Hospital Chapel at Gartnavel and 45 North Bridge Street in Hawick. The Minister said: “Abbotsford is an incredible place to visit, whether you are drawn to it because of its architecture, its gardens or its literary connections. It is remarkable to think that visitors have been welcomed here for generations – even before Scott died in 1832 – and the long term repairs programme that the Abbotsford Trust has undertaken will ensure that generations more can come to enjoy and understand just how important it is as part of our nation’s heritage.”

5 August 2009

Media Releases

Historic Scotland’s rangers are inviting locals to come along to the annual Holyrood Park Fun Dog Show. Taking place on Sunday 9th August this fun-packed day will feature games and competitions for all dog lovers. There will be the chance to enter pets into classes including ‘Waggiest Tail’, ‘Best Junior Handler’, ‘Best Trick’ . There will also be a fun agility class with a rosette for every one who enters. This year the Ranger Service will be hosting an artificial lure coursing competition with whippets and Scottish deerhounds.

5 August 2009

Media Releases

After 38 years caring for some of Scotland’s most precious heritage, Norman Muir MBE is to retire. And while he is looking forward to spending more time fishing he remains passionate about his craft. Mr Muir joined the Historic Scotland’s predecessor body, the Ministry of Works, as a qualified mason at the age of 26 in 1971. Since then he worked his way up the career ladder to become a works manager looking after repairs and maintenance for 28 sites from castles and abbeys to stone circles in a wide area round his home town of Stranraer.

3 August 2009

Media Releases

Simpson and Brown, one of Scotland’s leading firms in conservation architecture, has been appointed to work in collaboration with Historic Scotland to prepare a guide on how to restore castles and tower-houses as part of the Agency’s Scottish Castles Initiative. The contract to co-produce the text was awarded by Historic Scotland following a tender process which attracted entries from architectural firms throughout the UK and beyond. Historic Scotland and Simpson and Brown will now prepare the guide which will outline the best conservation practices and act as a resource pack for prospective owners and developers. The guide will also contain the best examples of historic building restoration in Scotland.

31 July 2009

Media Releases

A park and ride scheme is being introduced to provide visitors with an easy and comfortable way to reach Stirling Castle. The project is a joint initiative between Historic Scotland and Stirling Council, with the buses provided by Hunters Executive Coaches. The service will run, Monday to Saturday, from 1st to 31st of August from the Castleview Park and Ride, off Junction 10 of the M9.