A 16th-century tower house in northeastern Scotland has reopened to visitors after Historic Environment Scotland carried out necessary repairs to its masonry.
Constructed around the time of the Reformation in 1560, Elcho Castle illustrates a transition in Scottish building styles, from castle to mansion. It combines an imposing exterior with an interior that gave its noble occupants and their guests considerable comfort and privacy. The castle has changed little since it was built, apart from a new roof and new window glazing added in the 1830s.
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Access restrictions were put in place as a safety precaution while Historic Environment Scotland, who manages the site, introduced new measures to manage the impact of climate change on its heritage assets, an issue which is affecting heritage owners globally, as part of its high-level masonry programme. Elcho Castle, Rothesay Castle and Whithorn Priory are among the latest sites to reopen following inspections and necessary repairs to the masonry, with over 90 per cent of total of the agency’s sites across the estate now accessible.
“Elcho Castle is a fantastic site and we’re pleased to be able to welcome visitors back,” says Liz Grant, Regional Visitor and Community Manager (Central) at Historic Environment Scotland. “Situated near the River Tay and home to an extensive history, work at the site has helped us to ensure that this important piece of our heritage can be enjoyed by visitors once more.”
A 16th-century tower house in northeastern Scotland has reopened to visitors after Historic Environment Scotland carried out necessary repairs to its masonry.
Constructed around the time of the Reformation in 1560, Elcho Castle illustrates a transition in Scottish building styles, from castle to mansion. It combines an imposing exterior with an interior that gave its noble occupants and their guests considerable comfort and privacy. The castle has changed little since it was built, apart from a new roof and new window glazing added in the 1830s.
Access restrictions were put in place as a safety precaution while Historic Environment Scotland, who manages the site, introduced new measures to manage the impact of climate change on its heritage assets, an issue which is affecting heritage owners globally, as part of its high-level masonry programme. Elcho Castle, Rothesay Castle and Whithorn Priory are among the latest sites to reopen following inspections and necessary repairs to the masonry, with over 90 per cent of total of the agency’s sites across the estate now accessible.
“Elcho Castle is a fantastic site and we’re pleased to be able to welcome visitors back,” says Liz Grant, Regional Visitor and Community Manager (Central) at Historic Environment Scotland. “Situated near the River Tay and home to an extensive history, work at the site has helped us to ensure that this important piece of our heritage can be enjoyed by visitors once more.”
Click here for more details about Elcho Castle
Top Image: Photo by Slink pink / Wikimedia Commons
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