Outlander castle among historic buildings closed over safety fears
Some of Scotland's most important historic sites have been closed to the public after inspectors identified a potential risk of falling masonry.
Iconic sites which are now no-go areas include Doune Castle in Perthshire, where scenes from Outlander, Game of Thrones and Monty Python and the Holy Grail were filmed.
The ancient pile has starred as Winterfell – home of the “King in the North” – in the pilot for the long-running US saga Game of Thrones, played the fictional Castle Leoch in time travel series Outlander and was given at least three parts – Camelot, Castle Anthrax and the Castle of Aarrgh” – in the Python movie.
Fans of the 1975 film have travelled to the castle for many years and in recent years they have been joined by afficionados of the time travellers of Outlander.
It joins Linlithgow Palace, St Andrews Cathedral, Craigmillar Castle and Jedburgh Abbey among nearly 20 properties across Scotland that have been "closed or partially closed" following inspections by teams of masonry and structural integrity experts.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) said: "Planned inspections recently carried out at some of our properties identified a potential safety risk to visitors and staff from unstable masonry at high level.
"We have therefore taken the decision to close or partially close some sites as a
0 Out of bounds: Doune Castle has been closed to fans of TV series and films over fears of falling masonry
precautionary measure until inspections can take place.
"Where we are able to safely maintain access to sites we will do so with reduced ticket prices to visitors while inspection work on site takes place. However, some areas of these sites will be closed to visitors."
The affected sites include Jedburgh Abbey in the Borders, St Andrews Cathedral in Fife, Arbroath Abbey and Abbots House in Angus, Melrose
Abbey, Kelso Abbey and Dryburgh Abbey, all in the Borders, Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfries and Galloway, Tantallon Castle and Dirleton Castle, both in East Lothian, Doune Castle, Linlithgow Palace in West Lothian, Craigmillar Castle in Edinburgh and Maybole Collegiate Church and Dundonald Castle, both in Ayrshire.
Inspections are also being carried out at some sites, which are currently closed,
including Dunkeld Cathedral in Perthshire, Crichton Castle in Midlothian, Bothwell Castle in Lanarkshire, Maclellan's Castle in Dumfries and Galloway and Rothesay Castle on Bute.
HES said any visitors with pre-booked tickets to the sites had been contacted, and apologised for "any inconvenience this may cause".
They added: "We know how keen visitors and members are to access sites however
the safety of our visitors and staff is our first concern and we are prioritising a programme of further inspection works at these sites.
"We are also continuing to reopen a number of other sites to our members and visitors including most recently Edzell Castle and Dundrennan Abbey and will be announcing more sites over the upcoming weeks."