2 October 2009

Media Releases

Four leading experts on one of the great surviving masterpieces of Pictish art will be speaking at a special seminar. The event, which is part of Highland Archaeology Festival, focuses on the results of the latest research into the Hilton of Cadboll Stone, from the north of Scotland. It is being staged by Historic Scotland as a way of thanking people for their involvement and interest in the research projects.

24 September 2009

Media Releases

Melrose Abbey has been declared one of Scotland’s top-class visitor attractions. Independent quality assurance inspectors from VisitScotland have granted it the coveted five-star status after examining every aspect of the visitor experience. This means the three staffed Borders Abbeys cared for by Historic Scotland, and Smailholm Tower, are all now five-star attractions. Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution, Michael Russell, said: “You can’t get better than five star, so this is a brilliant achievement by the staff at Melrose. It now means that all Historic Scotland paid attractions in the Borders are of five star status. All the staff at the attractions have worked very hard to get and to keep this level of quality across the region. This is a great achievement for the staff locally, for the heritage agency overall and something we can be very proud of.”

23 September 2009

Media Releases

John Graham, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland has announced that he will retire at the end of this month. John has worked with the civil service for 37 years, the last 5 of which have been spent as heading up Historic Scotland - an executive agency of the Scottish Government charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment and promoting its understanding and enjoyment on behalf of Scottish Ministers.

22 September 2009

Media Releases

Culture Minister Michael Russell went behind the scenes to see one of Scotland’s most impressive country homes and its remarkable collection of Chippendale furniture. Dumfries House was bought by a consortium led by HRH The Duke of Rothesay in 2007 and was opened to the public the following year for the first time in it’s 300-year history.

22 September 2009

Media Releases

Standing on a 100 foot sea cliff, visitors to the Castle of Old Wick can’t help but be impressed by its dramatic location. This week an archaeologist and a stonemason will get an even stronger sense of its drama when they abseil over the edge to inspect are area of walling which is at risk of decay.