Will the historic landmark, and others like it, ever re-open?
Craignethan is a ruined Lanarkshire castle built around 1530. It is one of many Scottish castles impacted by closures. Photo credit: Adrian Powell.
While it was shut down by an “angry badger” in 2018, a lack of funding now forces Craignethan Castle to keep its doors closed.
The 2020 pandemic made matters worse. And, years after initial COVID restrictions, the Lanarkshire site is not the only castle in this predicament.
Scotland is world-renowned for its rich history, including its numerous castles that have withstood the test of time. From the brochs to the Georgian-era Abbotsford, castles are a point of interest tourists associate with visiting the country.
“We estimate around 200 of them [castles] in Scotland are still occupied,” said John Hunter, Chairman of the Scottish Castles Association. “And maybe 1000 others stand as ruins in various stages of disrepair around the countryside.”
This deterioration has partly caused recent closures, leaving the Scottish tourism industry in a state of disarray.
It’s a country-wide issue, but quieter, rural settlements outside of Edinburgh and Stirling, where the bulk of the funding and tourism goes, tend to have it worse. Therefore, finances are also a factor, as many castles struggle to maintain their historical buildings and cannot make necessary repairs to keep them open safely.
Carmichael Castle in Biggar, Lanarkshire is an example of castle ruins in a rural setting which has monetary support and holiday accommodation nearby. Credit: Lauren Burns.
For example, Dunnottar Castle, a ruin situated on a clifftop overlooking the North Sea, has had periods of closure after storm damage. The required repairs came with a hefty price tag, and the castle has only recently reopened after collecting the necessary funds.
As Hunter said: “Like any building, they do require maintenance, particularly if exposed to the elements, as almost all of these buildings were just ruins... There are a lot of buildings to run and it would cost an awful lot to maintain all of them too.”
Castles don’t always receive the funding to recover. This leads their structures to decline, and disrepair can put visitors health and safety at risk, so, on that basis, closures are understandable. However, in some scenarios, those in charge may have made snap decisions and shut down historic buildings needlessly.
Hunter said: “They decided on a precautionary principle, safety first, some would say overzealous, anxiety. The only safe thing they could do was to close the whole area. I think that they could have, in many instances, simply closed off the area.”
To solve the problem, “Essentially, you have got to have a program of maintenance. What I find concerning is that there is talk about managed decay,” Hunter says. “Now, I don't think that the person who coined it actually meant it to sound quite as ominous as it actually does. I think he was simply trying to say that these buildings are exposed to the elements, they’re going to keep being eroded by the wind and rain.”
Hunter refers to the model to restoration and preservation as “economic purpose”. To save castles, they should have some monetary value or business element. They must possess a unique story or selling point, such as a hotel or visitor attraction. Becoming a more well-rounded business model is the best way to raise funds and safeguard castles.
Especially as tourists travel from far to see them and there is an in-built market.
According to Visit Scotland, prior to the pandemic (2017-2019), 1.16 million people visited a castle or historic sight in Scotland and spent approximately £464m pounds.
There is real value to the economy. But it is effectively a postcode lottery where castles in bustling cities with thousands of tourists receive more money and support than those in less populated regions.
Craignethan Castle is one of these. Located in Blackwood, Lanarkshire and built in the early 16th century, it features a rare, enclosed tunnel with gunports. Mary Queen of Scots is also said to have spent a night there on her way to London. So, it has historical value that is worth protecting.
A portrait of "Mary, Queen of Scots" by lisby1 is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.
In the case of Craignethan, it is “temporarily closed” and has been since 2020, putting it in a state of limbo. However, according to Historic Environment Scotland, there are some conservation works underway, serving as hope that the castle may reopen one day soon.
A spokesperson for Visit Scotland said: “VisitScotland has no involvement in the management of historic sites, and we also do not hold any information about individual sites.”
On the possible reasons why the castle has remained closed for so long, Hunter said: “I suspect that where it is in the priority list for repair work depends on how much money Historic Environment Scotland was taking from people visiting. That's the priority, I suspect. I may be wrong, but I'd be surprised. It also depends, I suppose, on how extensive the work is that they need to do on it.”
It is likely unsafe for visitors to wander around. But, without the funding to repair it, the building will deteriorate and gain further damage.
These closures have a ripple effect on local areas, particularly those reliant upon the tourism industry.
Scotland’s castles are also a part of the country’s cultural heritage and should continue to be accessible to locals and tourists alike. The government and organisations responsible for managing these historic sites will have to work together to ensure that Scotland’s castles remain a draw for visitors.
Ultimately, money tends to go to places that make the most money. Tourist traps will likely continue to receive funding and protection. Closures will continue until the same level of protection extends to all castles.
In the meantime, visitors can check in advance to confirm which sites are open before planning their trips. Although some remain shut, there are still plenty of castles to visit and glimpse Scotland’s history
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