Restricted access at Castle of Old Wick while survey work takes place
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Access to the 860-year-old Castle of Old Wick is being restricted while survey work takes place to assess the extent to which its stonework has deteriorated.
It is part of a new approach by the public heritage body Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to the inspection of historic properties in response to the effects of climate change.
Surveys on the Castle of Old Wick, located just to the south of the town, and another Highland property in the care of HES – Inverlochy Castle, near Fort William – will look at deterioration of high-level masonry and ensure public safety against the risk of potentially unstable building fabric.
A national programme involves surveying more than 200 properties and sites across Scotland.
HES, which looks after 336 historic attractions, described the programme as "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 survey programme will gauge 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 its location.
HES says remedial works could require significant investment over a period of years, "and, in some instances, require a different management approach to be taken than before".
A spokesperson said: “Access restrictions will start to be put in place from today, depending on the location and nature of the site. We will be creating a safe perimeter around the property to mitigate the risks to people and this will vary from site to site.
"We are committed to enabling as much access as safely possible. Due to the nature of the work required at high level, this cannot be carried out during the winter months. However, we will be embarking on a programme of prioritised works in the spring.
"Until the survey work is undertaken and a programme put in place for any repairs identified, we are unable to give an indication of how long access restrictions will be in place.”
In 2019 HES embarked on a national project to assess risks to visitors and staff across the properties in its care. Post-lockdown, work was restarted and surveys conducted in spring 2021 identified potentially dangerous fabric at high level.
The sample surveys conducted on these properties confirmed to conservation specialists at HES that the type of deterioration being seen could only be properly assessed by hands-on survey work.
Dr David Mitchell, director of conservation at HES, said: “The safety of staff, visitors and contractors is our top priority and access restrictions at two sites 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.
“We are taking proactive action now to assess the nature and scale of the immediate challenge, and to explore a range of solutions and options.
"It is inevitable our approach to protecting historic buildings will have to change. We need to reimagine how we manage these historic and much-loved places.
"A range of solutions is needed, including repairs, investment and new and innovative interventions. In some cases, reduced physical access and accepting the natural process of decay will need to be considered.”
HES says it remains committed to supporting the historic environment and the benefits it brings in the Highlands. In the past three years, the organisation has awarded grants of £2,568,100 to support historic sites across the region.
These include £400,000 to John O’Groats Mill and £227,188 to Clyne Heritage Society.
