Planning applications
Visitors will be able to enjoy access to the historic outdoor spaces at Stirling Castle, Doune Castle and Dunblane Cathedral. Indoor spaces open at Stirling Castle will include the Great Hall, Chapel Royal and the Royal Palace and Stirling Heads Gallery at Doune Castle, visitors will be able to access the Kitchen Tower except for the upper level, The Solar, the Lord’s Hall and the Gatehouse Tower, while at Dunblane Cathedral, the Chapter House will be open.
All visitors, including members, will be required to pre-book tickets online and to use contactless payment where possible; one-way systems will be implemented in some locations; visitors must wear face coverings in any indoor/ enclosed spaces including retail and catering areas; and visitor numbers will be limited for safety reasons.
Alex Paterson, Chief Executive of HES, said: “We know how keen our Historic Scotland members and visitors are to get back to our sites, so we’re delighted to reopen over 70 per cent of our properties on Friday April 30.
“Scotland’s heritage sector is a key part of our tourism offer – from providing jobs to increasing our wellbeing – and, in addition to reopening the sites that reopened last year, we will also reopen further sites across the country on a phased basis over the upcoming months.
“We hope visitors will also enjoy learning about the fascinating stories of our sites through our new technology – including QR codes, online videos and digital audio guides for an innovative insight into Scotland’s past.
“In line with Scottish Government guidance, safety measures have been implemented at our sites, and we look forward to welcoming visitors and members back for a safe and enjoyable visit.”
HES is Scotland’s biggest operator of visitor attractions, with over 300 properties in its care. Earlier this month, HES announced a phased approach to reopen its properties, with over 70 per cent of its free to access and ticketed properties reopening on April 30. This date will also allow members of the public access to over 200 unstaffed and key-keeper sites across Scotland where HES can provide free and safe access and where physical distancing can be readily maintained.
All sites will follow the HES minimum operating standards, which were developed to set a benchmark for the safe reopening of historic sites and resumption of operational activities.
From Friday April 30, Stirling Castle will be open from 9.30am-5pm daily, while Doune Castle will be open daily from 10am-4pm. Dunblane Cathedral will be open from 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday and 2-4pm on Sundays. Tickets must be booked online in advance from the HES website. For further info visit: restarthistory.scot
Planning applications submitted to Stirling Council planners w/e April 14.
BALFRON Two storey extension to rear of house at 15 Cotton Street G63 0PE for Ms Susan Dalziel; House at land 85 metres north of Shian for Mr David Morley.
BLANEFIELD Single storey extension to side of house at Easter Carbeth G63 9AS for Mr Andrew Heaney.
FINTRY Two storey side extension with single storey front link at Bruach G63 0YH for Mr Simon Butler.
KILLEARN Erection of shed to store garden maintenance equipment at Carbeth House building and gardens, Drumtian Road for Carbeth House Owners Association; Extension to house, alteration to roof to form dormer and formation of attached ancillary accommodation at Daavar, Endrick Road G63 9QD for Mr Campbell Docherty.
Schedule at planning reception, council access points, libraries and www.stirling. gov.uk.
Applications submitted to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park w/b April 5.
ABERFOYLE Ancillary office building (retrospective) at Nether Shannochill for Mr Ian Workman; Construct new 340m forest road at land south east of Meall Dubh, Loch Ard for Mr Andy Malcolm, Forestry and Land Scotland.
DRYMEN Tree Works covered by TPO at Glencoe, 1 Castle Gardens for Mr Graeme Roy.
Park schedule at LLTNPA HQ, Balloch or via lochlomond-trossachs.org.