Written Question · S2W-32420 · Session 2
What amount Historic Scotland would make available to defray the costs of any work to Castle Tioram; whether it is normal practice for Hist…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what amount Historic Scotland would make available to defray the costs of any work to Castle Tioram; whether it is normal practice for Historic Scotland to offer to defray the costs of any work when not requested to do so by the owner, and whether it will cite other examples where Historic Scotland has made offers that funding will be available when such finance has not been sought by the owners of the property in question.
The answer
While Historic Scotland has indicatedthat it is willing to consider grant-aid for consolidation and repair of the monument,and for improving visitor interpretation, there is presently no detailed and costedscheme of works, so to offer a figure would be premature and potentially misleading.Given the importance of the site Historic Scotland is confident that if a schemewere to be agreed, resources would be found for urgently necessary work. In recentyears projects of a similar general scale have been supported through its AncientMonuments Grant scheme at castles in different parts of Scotland: for example Gylen(Argyll and Bute) and Cessford (Scottish Borders). Currently funded projects includeMoy (Argyll and Bute) and Invergarry (Highland) Castles.
Historic Scotland is expected to useits powers under the Ancient Monuments legislation pro-actively. It is not uncommonfor Historic Scotland to make it known in the course of visits of monument wardensand inspectors that support might be found for the consolidation or care of an importantmonument, even when the owner has not made a direct request for help. The grant-aidedconservation work at Moy and Cessford Castles came about after initial meetingswith the area inspector to discuss the condition and future care of the monuments.Typically, at such discussions the inspector will explain the grant applicationprocess and indicate the likelihood of a project receiving grant, although prospectiveapplicants are then encouraged to write to Historic Scotland to begin the processof formal consideration for grant.
Routinely, Historic Scotland also works with a range of communitygroups, conservation trusts and other bodies who wish to pursue the management ofkey historic environment assets which they do not themselves own, although suchbodies are required to obtain agreement from owners of sites affected by their proposalsbefore they can receive grant aid.
Historic Scotland is expected to useits powers under the Ancient Monuments legislation pro-actively. It is not uncommonfor Historic Scotland to make it known in the course of visits of monument wardensand inspectors that support might be found for the consolidation or care of an importantmonument, even when the owner has not made a direct request for help. The grant-aidedconservation work at Moy and Cessford Castles came about after initial meetingswith the area inspector to discuss the condition and future care of the monuments.Typically, at such discussions the inspector will explain the grant applicationprocess and indicate the likelihood of a project receiving grant, although prospectiveapplicants are then encouraged to write to Historic Scotland to begin the processof formal consideration for grant.
Routinely, Historic Scotland also works with a range of communitygroups, conservation trusts and other bodies who wish to pursue the management ofkey historic environment assets which they do not themselves own, although suchbodies are required to obtain agreement from owners of sites affected by their proposalsbefore they can receive grant aid.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-32420 by reference.