Castle throws open its doors for visitors Last four months were longest closure since WWII
Visitors were welcomed back to Stirling Castle at the weekend for the first time since its doors were shut in March due to coronavirus restrictions.
The last four months have been the longest period of closure at the castle since World War Two.
A total of 980 people visited Stirling Castle over last Saturday and Sunday.
Stirling Castle is one of the three most visited sites managed by Historic Environment Scotland.
It reopened, along with the two other most popular attractions, Edinburgh Castle and Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness.
Stirling Castle business manager Liz Grant said: “The team was delighted to welcome its first visitors back on Saturday morning.
“There has been lots of great feedback about how relaxed the experience has been. Both staff and visitors commented on how comfortable they felt with the safe systems, hygiene units, signage and hi-vis vests that have been put in place.
“It was hard to imagine when we returned to the site with its overgrown gardens and cobbles full of weeds just a few weeks ago that we’d be able to turn it around so quickly.
“It’s been a fantastic team effort, and well worth the hard work seeing, and hearing, the visitors enjoying being back within the Castle walls again.”
Tickets for the castle must be booked in advance, while on-site cash payments are no longer being accepted for the foreseeable future, with visitors being asked to use contactless payment where possible.
Capacity is reduced on site, one-way systems are in place in some locations, and access to small enclosed spaces where physical distancing is not possible is restricted.
Visitors will be required to wear face coverings when entering retail shops, in line with Scottish Government guidance.
Chief executive of HES, Alex Paterson, added: “It has taken a significant amount of planning to reach this point, and I’m very proud of the efforts of all of our staff who have been instrumental in making these sites ready to safely welcome visitors once again.
“I’d also like to thank visitors for their patience throughout this period of uncertainty and offer reassurance that the safety and quality of their visitor experience has been at the forefront of our preparations.
“The tourism sector will be central to Scotland’s national recovery, and our historic attractions are a key part of that tourism offering. We’re also encouraging people across Scotland to visit historic sites in their local area and rediscover the rich history on their doorstep.
“We’ve already enabled access to over 200 of our unstaffed and key keeper sites across the country, and with our top three most-visited attractions set to open this weekend, we are now working to reopen a further 23 ticketed sites on a rolling basis throughout August and in to mid-september to offer access across Scotland to the heritage sites in our care.”
For more information about visiting Stirling Castle, as well as HES’S plans to reopen more sites as restrictions ease, visit : www.historicreopening.scot.