8 May 2009

Media Releases

Four great Scottish clans are preparing to clash in a grand tournament at Linlithgow Palace – and fans can vote for which one will be the people’s champions. More than 80 warriors representing the Campbells, Douglases, Hamiltons and Lindsays will do battle on 23 and 24 May during Party at the Palace 1503. The weekend of Medieval pageantry will be among the biggest and most spectacular events of Scotland’s 2009 Year of Homecoming.

8 May 2009

Media Releases

As part of Historic Scotland’s ongoing and extensive Education Programme, Junior Guides have, for a number of years, been delighting primary school groups with tours at various historic sites across Scotland – including Linlithgow Palace, Claypotts Castle, Doune Castle and Stanley Mills. Involving a long-term partnership between Historic Scotland and local schools, the Junior Guides Initiative involves training pupils from primary schools to deliver, in period costume, guided tours of their local historic site to children from visiting primary school groups. The Junior Guides Initiative has grown in popularity over the past few years and continues to expand. The latest development involves a partnership between Iona Abbey and Iona Primary School to form the Iona Abbey Junior Tour Guides.

7 May 2009

Media Releases

Ever since man first walked the earth, volcanoes have both fascinated and frightened him. Today, the Earth’s 1500-plus active volcanoes – and those which are dormant or extinct - still capture the imagination of young and old all over the globe, intriguing scientists and lay people alike. Here in Scotland, we often forget that all around us we can see evidence of volcanoes which shaped our country. And how many of us are aware that our capital city boasts its very own 350 million-year-old volcano? This Sunday, 10th May, there’s an opportunity to learn all about this geological gem in an event at Holyrood Park

3 May 2009

Media Releases

A major project to identify castles and tower-houses which could be suitable for future restoration and development to drive economic investment and tourism to Scotland during the current climate, was announced by Culture Minister Michael Russell today (Sunday, 3 May) at newly restored Barholm Castle. The initiative, being taken forward by Historic Scotland and the first of its kind to be prepared by the Scottish Government, aims to encourage financial investment in and refurbishment of Scotland’s built heritage during the economic downturn. It will also provide advice on process, good practices and exemplars of similar projects in the past with the aim of re-using and revitalising existing buildings.

1 May 2009

Media Releases

The project to save and conserve Stanley Mills, which was led by Historic Scotland, has won a prestigious international award for excellence. The 2009 European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra award will be shared between Historic Scotland and heritage-led regeneration specialists, The Prince’s Regeneration Trust. Both played critical roles in securing a future for the former water-powered cotton mill complex on the river Tay, near Perth.