Access to Perthshire landmark Elcho Castle will be restricted as it is assessed for further repair through a programme aimed at protecting it from the effects of climate change.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is implementing a new approach to the inspection of historic properties in response to the effects of climate change.
A programme of tactile condition surveys will assess the extent of deterioration of high-level masonry and ensure public safety against the risk of potentially unstable building fabric.
Sixteenth century Elcho Castle in Rhynd will have restricted access in place to conduct the full surveys. This is part of a national programme involving surveys on over 200 properties and sites across Scotland.
Scotland’s public heritage body, which cares for 336 historic buildings and sites, believes the programme is a proactive step towards transforming the way the nation’s most precious places are protected, repaired and experienced in the face of accelerating decay from climate change.
The tactile survey programme, which is the result of ongoing risk assessment and sample surveys, will assess the impact of climate change and the scale of deterioration caused by a number of other factors, including the materials used in the building’s construction, its age and physical location.
It is anticipated that remedial works could require significant investment over multiple years, and, in some instances, require a different management approach to be taken than before.
Dr David Mitchell, director of conservation at HES, said: “The safety of staff, visitors and contractors is our top priority and access restrictions at Elcho Castle will unfortunately be necessary.
“We are currently assessing where partial access can be put in place at sites where it is safe to do so, and information will be posted to the HES website as it is available. Our routine inspections are increasingly revealing the deterioration of building fabric at high level. While our changing climate is not the sole reason for deterioration, it has certainly accelerated it and brought the issue to a head.
“Historic properties are inherently fragile by their nature, often ruinous and standing at exposed locations. We face a constant battle against time and the elements.
“We are one of the first heritage bodies tackling this issue head on and the difficult choices it will lead to, but we are not alone.
“Across the world, cultural heritage assets are seen as barometers of change, and they demonstrate the challenges for the historic environment and traditionally constructed buildings in the face of a changing climate
HES is committed to supporting the historic environment and the benefits it brings in Perth and Kinross.
In the past three years, HES has awarded grants of over £1.3 million to support historic sites across the region.
This includes £108,810 to Comrie Development Trust for Cultybraggan Camp, £81,590 to Alder Archaeology for an urban craft centre at Skinnergate in Perth and £57,700 to The Strathspey Railway Company.
