Huge increase in Scotland's historic buildings at risk must concern us all

The abandoned Lennox Castle in East Dunbartonshire (Picture: Katielee Arrowsmith) | SWNS

Scotland is world-renowned as a country of stunning natural beauty, and this reputation is considerably enhanced by some truly magnificent historic buildings. If the archetypal tourist were to sum up Scotland’s appeal in just three words, they might well say “glens, castles and kilts”. And this outsider’s perspective is a reminder of the importance of conserving both nature and culture.

So it is deeply concerning that campaign group SAVE Britain’s Heritage has added a staggering 42 Scottish buildings to its UK-wide at-risk register, almost doubling their number.

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These include the A-listed Lennox Castle, which once housed a maternity unit where singer Lulu was born, the former Odeon cinema on Edinburgh’s Clerk Street, and the former George cinema in Portobello, a wonderful Art Deco building.

We may all have a favourite and one we would not miss, but we should be able to put our personal taste aside and recognise important structures that should be preserved. Landmark buildings are living history, part of the fabric of the nation, and it is the job of each generation to ensure they are passed on, in good condition, to the next.