Access to be restricted during survey at Lochranza Castle
There will be restricted access to Lochranza Castle while a survey is being undertaken on the national heritage site, Historic Environment Scotland has advised.
The survey is part of a nationwide inspection of more than 200 historic properties in response to the effects of climate change.
Scotland’s public heritage body, which cares for 336 historic buildings and sites, will be assessing the extent of deterioration of high-level masonry to ensure public safety. These surveys will inform a programme of repairs, conservation work, adaptation measures, interventions and new ways of caring for these historic assets.
Dr David Mitchell, director of conservation at HES, said: ‘The safety of staff, visitors and contractors is our priority and access restrictions at some sites will unfortunately be necessary.
‘Our routine inspections are increasingly revealing the deterioration of building fabric at high level.
‘While our changing climate is not the sole reason for deterioration, it has certainly accelerated it and brought the issue to a head.
‘Historic properties are inherently fragile by their nature, often ruinous and standing at exposed locations.
‘We face a constant battle against time and the elements.
‘Across the world, cultural heritage assets are seen as barometers of change and they demonstrate the challenges for the historic environment and traditionally constructed buildings in the face of a changing climate.
‘We are taking proactive action now to assess the nature and scale of the immediate challenge, and to explore a range of solutions and options.
‘It is inevitable our approach to protecting historic buildings will have to change – we need to reimagine how we manage these historic and much-loved places.
‘A range of solutions is needed, including repairs, investment and new and innovative interventions.’