Crumbling attractions

Published on 06/10/2012 00:00

It IS sad that of the ten top 
attractions in the care of
Historic Scotland there are three ruined castles, a royal palace burned while the British Army was in residence and a mostly ruined abbey (your report, 4 
October).

It seems that once a ruin, 
always a ruin. Fortunately, Iona Abbey was restored long 
before Historic Scotland could 
prevent it.

There are several properties that have been restored privately, for example Castle Stalker, and there are two which the owners wish to restore: Tiroran House and Slains Castle.

The latter is pending decisions and the former has been forbidden by Historic Scotland, despite the fact that it would be done privately and opened to the public on occasions.

I would most certainly like to see it restored to its former glory as the ruin is of little interest and is in danger of falling down. 

The Palace of Linlithgow was promised a restoration by the then government but somehow it never happened, though part has been roofed over using lottery funding, so some restoration is allowed.

Perhaps the people of Melrose should be asked if they would like to have more of 
the great Abbey Church rebuilt, and the east end of Arbroath Abbey could also be rebuilt as 
it is of such great national 
importance.

Perhaps the Scottish Government should have the final say. I wonder what your readers think.

PETER MURRAY

Castleroy Crescent

Dundee