About Us

Conservation works happening at our sites

Caring for our heritage in Scotland’s changing climate

A man with a white beard, wearing a HES safety helmet and high visibility jacket stand on a high platform at the top of Linlithgow Palace. In the background we wee a lake and the local area.

1 Inspections Programme

In April 2022, we launched a  nationwide programme to inspect 206 sites in our care with masonry exceeding 1.4 metres* in height. Prioritising high-risk locations, we initially focused on 70 key sites.

Over the course of the two-year inspection programme, our specialist teams surveyed these properties across Scotland, meticulously examining the stonework by hand. We identified and are undertaking any necessary repairs, and while some sites still have access restrictions in place due to ongoing conservation work, over 90% of the sites in our care are now accessible to visitors.

This project is part of a broader piece of work to assess the condition of all 206 sites by early in 2026. We are progressing as planned, determining the scope of repairs required as the inspections take place. While some local access restrictions may be necessary while inspections and repairs take place, further site closures are not expected.

Since beginning the programme, we’ve inspected over 100 sites and reopened 59 where access restrictions were implemented, with more to reopen on a rolling basis. Take a look at a list of sites with restored access.

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The background

We care for a diverse estate of over 300 historic properties across Scotland. Each site presents unique conservation challenges shaped by factors such as age, construction materials and location.

The changing climate is accelerating the deterioration of many of our historic buildings, with increasing instances of stonework decay and masonry fall posing risks to visitors, staff, and the fabric of the sites themselves. While this is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors, climate change is a significant driver in reassessing how we manage our properties.

To protect the public and our historic environment, HES has implemented a proactive programme of inspections and repairs. This has involved temporary site closures and access restrictions in some cases. These measures were essential to ensure the safety of visitors and staff while we assessed the condition of our properties and while we undertake any necessary conservation work identified.

Our dedicated teams have worked tirelessly to accelerate this vital programme, including carrying out inspections throughout the winter months to maximise progress. These actions demonstrate our determination to safeguard Scotland’s historic environment for future generations.

Male inspector wearing white safety helm and high-vis vest stands with Holyrood Abbey in the background on a sunny day

Inspections explained

Take a look behind the scenes at the biggest challenge facing Scotland's historic buildings

Find out more

* The masonry level has since been increased to 1.5 metres.

2 Our Progress

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Our high-level masonry project has progressed well, with the initial inspections on key sites completed in spring 2024. Some sites that we inspected needed relatively little work to make them accessible again, however, others will require more work before we can restore full access.  

At inspected sites, essential safety work, including slate repairs, lightning conductor fixes, invasive weed removal and bedding of stones, has been completed where feasible to allow for partial reopening.  

While undertaking the inspections and essential safety repairs, we've also been exploring innovative ways to share the stories of our temporarily closed sites. Enhanced on-site interpretation, including new signage, has been developed. Immersive experiences like 3D models, audio tours, and virtual trails also offer visitors fresh perspectives on these remarkable places until they can be fully explored.

A man with white hair and wearing black sunglasses and a light blue jumper holds his phone up to a QR code on a board of various images of Linlithgow Palace.

Fencing lessons

Take a behind-the-scenes look at our work to add interpretation to sites affected by our high level masonry inspections

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What happens next

Since completing the initial priority inspections in March, our teams have continued assessing all structures over 1.4 metres at our sites. Ongoing repair work is being prioritised based on safety and conservation needs. As repairs progress, we will gradually increase access and reopen closed sites where it is safe to do so.

It’s important to remember that Scotland isn’t alone in facing these threats - the challenge of conserving historic buildings is global, and we are sharing our experiences and learnings with heritage organisations worldwide.

If you'd like to learn more about the inspections you can read our blogs explaining the project.

Our visit a place pages have up to date visitor information on access at sites and events taking place at our sites.

A worker in orange overalls and a hard hat inspects a rooftop at Edinburgh Castle using ropes and a harness.

Moving Forward

Our High-Level Masonry Engagement Coordinator, Chloe Woodsford, takes a look behind the scenes at the work taking place to get sites ready for visitors in 2024.

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3 Sites involved

The following is a list of sites undergoing inspections and where full access restrictions are in place:

Find out more about our inspection programme

Last updated: 12 August 2024

Two children in the grounds of Elgin Cathedral with their arms in the air

Which sites can I visit?

Many of Scotland’s most-loved visitor attractions remain open, including Edinburgh Castle, Skara Brae, Stirling Castle, Fort George, Urquhart Castle and more.

Find out more

4 Sites with access restored

The following is a list of sites where access has been restored, either fully or partially, since undergoing inspections and repairs where necessary. Work at these sites may also be ongoing. Please visit the site pages for more information on any restrictions that might remain in place.

Abbot's House, Arbroath Grounds access only
Aberdour Castle Full access
Arbroath Abbey  Grounds and visitor centre (including exhibition) open only
Blackfriars Chapel Full access
Bonawe Historic Iron Furnace Some access restrictions still in place
Bothwell Castle Some access restrictions remain in place to the Donjon Tower and Great Hall
Burleigh Castle Full access
Caerlaverock Castle No visitor access to the West range, outer stair, North West and East towers
Carsluith Castle Grounds accessible
Castle Campbell Full access
Castle Sween Full access
Craigmillar Castle  Some minor access restrictions still in place
Crichton Castle Grounds accessible
Cross Kirk, Peebles Access restrictions around the tower
Crossraguel Abbey The grounds and shop are open.
Cubbie Roo's Castle & St Mary's Chapel, Wyre Cubbie Roo's Castle and some parts of the chapel graveyard are accessible
Culross Abbey No access to the upper gallery
Dirleton Castle Access restrictions to the Guard House, South entrance, De Vaux Tower and Ruthven Range
Doune Castle One minor access restrictions in place (non-HLM)
Dryburgh Abbey Full access
Dumbarton Castle Full access
Dundonald Castle Some restrictions still in place
Dundrennan Abbey Some restrictions still in place
Dunfermline Abbey Nether Yett Full access
Elcho Castle Full access
Glenluce Abbey Museum and part of grounds opened only
Greenknowe Tower Grounds accessible
Hailes Castle Grounds accessible
Holyrood Abbey Full access
Inchcolm Abbey One minor restriction to the South Transept remains in place
Inchmahome Priory Some restrictions still in place
Inverlochy Castle Some of the grounds are accessible, but no access to the castle.
Jedburgh Abbey No access to the viewing gallery
Linlithgow Palace No access to the King's Bed Chamber, Court Kitchen or the North Range
Loch Doon Castle Full access
Lochleven Castle Full access
Lochranza Castle Full access
MacLellan's Castle Grounds and shop open
Maison Dieu Chapel, Brechin Full access
Melrose Abbey Abbey grounds, cloister and museum are open
Midhowe Chambered Cairn Visitors can view the tomb via the raised walkways. Access restrictions for much of the ground level of the cairn
Morton Castle Full access
Pierowall Church Full access
Rothesay Castle Full access
St Andrews Castle No access to foretower 
St Andrews Cathedral Access to museum, St Rules Tower and partial external access 
St Anthony's Chapel Full access
St Bride's Church Full access
St Bridget's Kirk Inglis Aisle opened on weekends by Keykeeper
St Magnus Church, Egilsay One restriction to the interior of the tower
St Ninian's Chapel Full access
Stirling Old Bridge Full access
Sweetheart Abbey Cloister open only
Tantallon Castle Some minor restrictions in place at the doocot and the east tower.
Threave Castle Island and grounds are open, but no access to the castle
Trinity House  Open for special events only
Westside Church, Tuquoy Full access
Whithorn Priory Temporary restrictions in place to the internal crypt and Lady Chapel areas (non-HLM)
Explore all Historic Environment Scotland sites

If you would like to know more about work already undertaken, we have published some of our high level masonry inspection reports that have been completed.

Last Updated: 12 August 2024

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