27 October 2009

Media Releases

Repairing and maintaining Scotland’s historic churches and places of worship often requires traditional skills and materials. A new CD Rom produced by Historic Scotland will give advice on a range of building techniques to guide this vital work. Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution Michael Russell today (Tuesday) joined church leaders to launch the new resource. Speaking at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, the Minister said: “In most communities across Scotland, church buildings and places of worship are likely to be amongst the oldest and most historic structures in the entire area - and often the best loved too."

26 October 2009

Media Releases

One of the boats which ferries visitors across the waters to Lochleven Castle now proudly bears the name “Mary’s Spirit” thanks to local schoolgirl Rosie Cormack. Earlier this year the 10-year-old won a competition in which Kinross Primary School pupils were invited to come up with a name for the vessel. There were lots of excellent entries, but Rosie’s was the winner because it captured the romance of the castle and its links to Mary, Queen of Scots. Now the name has been painted on the side of the boat and a little plaque has been fixed inside which commemorates the competition – and its winner, who was nine at the time.

23 October 2009

Media Releases

Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution, Michael Russell, visited the former Kirk and castle to officially unveil banners encouraging people to become part of the ambitious heritage project. The Minister said: “Pitsligo Castle was once one of the finest residences in the north-east and the campaign to consolidate this monument is intended to give students and visitors greater access and a better understanding of this impressive ruin and its fascinating story. This partnered with the proposals for the former Parish Kirk shall create a facility which can assist in regenerating the economy in this part of Aberdeenshire. “The Pitsligo Castle Trust and the Friends of Pitsligo Castle are doing a great job of generating interest and have already secured funding for the first phase of work from Historic Scotland and I am delighted to support them in their work."

20 October 2009

Media Releases

There’s a special chance for visitors to discover more about Leith’s ancient links with the sea when Trinity House maritime museum opens its doors for free on Saturday, 24th October. This lovely Georgian Mansion is packed with around 1,000 fascinating objects and works of art from portraits by the great Sir Henry Raeburn to secret wartime charts used by British merchant seamen. Historic Scotland, which cares for the museum, is carrying out a major conservation programme which involves cleaning, repairing and researching many of the objects in the collection.

20 October 2009

Media Releases

Scotland’s legacy of post-war architecture is to be the focus of a conference in November hosted by Historic Scotland. The agency is opening the debate on protecting and celebrating the variety and innovative techniques used to create striking architecture since 1945. Dr Deborah Mays, Historic Scotland Head of Listing and organiser of the conference said: “After the war, a notably different approach was seen in designing and constructing buildings, encompassing a new hope and vision for the future. “While many people still view listed buildings as having to be traditionally crafted, the number of outstanding examples of architecture and design that remain need to be considered as an important part of our heritage and just as revealing of our past as older buildings. This conference will bring together people from across the spectrum to look at how we value modern architecture as part of the Scottish landscape and we are very much looking forward to hearing the range of views on what has been a hotly contested subject.”