Crackdown on castle gardens fee dodgers
‘There seems to be this perception that the castle has loads of money but nothing could be further from the truth’
Visitors to Brodick Castle are refusing to pay to walk round its spectacular gardens.
Hundreds of visitors every week are abusing the payment structure which keeps the castle and its surrounding country park open to all.
And, when challenged, staff have faced verbal abuse. The biggest problem is at the pedestrian entrance where on bank holiday Sunday last week hordes of families swept into the gardens refusing to pay.
Visitors are also refusing to pay at the main ticket office and are widely abusing the staff car park.
Now castle bosses are looking at ways to curb the problem which, they say, is getting worse.
Senior assistant manager Chris Mills said: ‘Some people are just point blank refusing the admission charges. It is very frustrating.’
However, because there are a number of ways to get
into the castle grounds they often don’t go away but try to sneak in another way.
Chris said the castle were reluctant to put up barriers, but said this, along with warning posters, would have to be considered.
Runnin costs
Brodick Castle and Country Park is owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland.
Chris said: ‘There seems to be this perception that the castle has loads of money but nothing could be further from the truth.
‘We are a charity and we rely on admission charges, along with retail and catering, to help pay the running costs, which amount to almost £1 million a year.
‘It is a sad day when people can’t help protect a property and grounds that are dear to all of us for the sake of a few pounds.’
Entrance to the castle grounds costs £7 for adults, £6 for a concession and £18 for a family ticket.
However, a National Trust membership costs from £48 for a year, allowing unlimited access to Brodick Castle and its gardens as well as 300 properties across Scotland and increasingly worldwide.
Head gardener Tim Keyworth said: ‘An annual NTS membership pays for itself in just three visits.
‘And it means you can come anytime and see the wonderful gardens changing throughout the season.’
Tim said the situation of people walking in without paying had got worse since the new pavement was created at Cladach.
He added: ‘The new pavement stops right at the entrance to Shore Lodge and people are simply walking into the grounds from there.’
One staff member on the front line, Jill Bunyan, who works at the Cladach entrance, confirmed she has been met with verbal abuse. ‘Some people say they are not paying and walk away but I see them later wandering round the park having come in another way.
‘Last Sunday was the worst I have ever seen it with individuals and even large family groups simply walking in and saying they were not paying. I am here most days but the situation is getting worse.’
Never paid
Chris added: ‘We get people saying they have been coming here for years and never paid but that’s not really an excuse. There has always been a charge for the gardens.
‘People simply have to realise that unless they pay their way and we don’t meet our costs something will have to give somewhere down the line.’