10 August 2009

Media Releases

Visitors are invited to an open day to see this year’s excavations at the prehistoric settlement at the Links of Noltland on the island of Westray. Free tours will be provided by the Historic Scotland ranger service on Sunday, 16 August between noon and 4pm. This year’s excavation aims to fully uncover a carefully-built multi-cellular Neolithic building which still survives to five courses high, and the nearby field system.

10 August 2009

Media Releases

One of the many historic highlights of Edinburgh Castle is The Scottish National War Memorial – an impressive building which was erected to commemorate those who died in conflict in the 1914-18 Great War. And the enormous sacrifice made by families throughout the country during World War I is highlighted at the castle next week when interpreters from The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds visit to share the personal letters of one soldier, Jack Adam, his wife, Gert, and their three young children. In the Great Hall, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 11.30am to 12.30pm, visitors will be able to hear extracts from the Adam family’s poignant correspondence, listen to a talk by the interpreters about the collection’s significance, and see a display of their letters, photographs and other memorabilia.

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.