Scottish Catholic Archives closed after mould find

THE Scottish Catholic Archives have been shut down after mould was discovered on items in the collection.

Columba House, an early 19th-century townhouse in Edin­burgh, which has been home to the archives for over 50 years, will be closed to researchers and members of the public until further notice, said a spokesman for the Catholic Church.

However, the archives are not expected to reopen after a controversial decision to move the material to Aberdeen University.

A Church statement said: “The immediate cause of the closure has been the discovery of mould on items in the collection, which require urgent conservation treatment. This is the result of dampness in Columba House’s main storage area in the sub-basement.

Archbishop Mario Conti, Chairman of the trustees, said: “We have emphasised for some time that Columba House was not fit for purpose.”