DUMBARTON Castle will reopen to the public by early spring, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has revealed.
The visitor attraction has been closed while masonry inspections were being carried out.
The focus of these inspections has been to manage the impact of climate change on the heritage site, which prompted its closure early last year.
The High Level Masonry Programme has published plans to carry out these check-ups at around 70 affected properties all over Scotland, including Holyrood Abbey, Bothwell Castle, Tantallon Castle and Linlithgow Palace.
The details of the inspections include examining the level of degradation and decay of the materials used in the construction of the building, its location and the age of the structure. The castle rock was formed an estimated 340 million years ago.
HES also carries out general risk assessments and sample surveys.
Dumbarton Castle is set to reopen in March, after repairs and final checks are completed.
The 800-year-old venue will be open for exploring its features including the French prison, Wallace Tower, the Guard House, Portcullis Arch, the Governor's House and the remains of the White Tower, the highest point of the Castle.
However, access to the Spur Battery, including the Bower and Spanish Batteries will remain restricted, alongside areas surrounding the base of the Rock.
The work may leave entry to these areas limited, but the conservation operation aims to keep the history alive through digital technology and an events programme.
HES has completed 25 inspections since May 2022, and a further 13 set to be concluded by spring.
Projects at the protected sites can take over a month, many of them being hundreds of years old, and unique and intricate in their architecture.
Director of operations at Historic Environment Scotland Craig Mearns said: “Dumbarton Castle is one of Scotland’s most important strongholds and climate change is another part of its long and varied history.
"We look forward to welcoming visitors back to the iconic site as soon as we have carried out the final checks and implemented any additional safety measures. For more details on when tickets will be on sale, please check our website and social media channels where further information will be released soon.”
Dumbarton Castle holds the longest history for any stronghold in the country and has a rich cultural history, including being a home to a young Mary Queen of Scots.
Other sites due to or currently undergoing inspections and repairs include: Dirleton Castle, Doune Castle, Stirling Old Bridge, Lochleven Castle, Kelso Abbey, Craigmillar Castle, Inverlochy Castle and Arbroath Abbey.
