Scotland’s new Culture Minister Neil Gray MSP has been welcomed to Dumbarton Castle by West Dunbartonshire’s MP Martin Docherty-Hughes.
Local MP Docherty-Hughes invited the Scottish Government Minister to visit Dumbarton Castle to see first-hand the importance of one of Scotland’s most significant historical landmarks.
Representatives from Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the public body responsible for managing the site, were on hand to give the MP and Minister a tour and inspection of conservation and improvement works underway at the castle grounds.
As part of a nationwide survey of Scotland’s heritage sites by Historic Environment Scotland, access to Dumbarton Castle is currently restricted to enable a full assessment of the castle’s historic buildings to be carried out.
The Minister’s visit comes ahead of the popular “Rock of Ages” event returning to Dumbarton Castle in June this year to coincide with the 800th anniversary of Dumbarton’s founding as a Royal Burgh.
Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said:
“Dumbarton Castle is one of our nation’s most important historical landmarks and I was delighted to welcome Scotland’s new Culture Minister here to see what we have to offer in West Dunbartonshire.
“It was useful to see first-hand some of the vital conservation work underway at the castle grounds, and discuss with Historic Environment Scotland future plans to improve the on-site visitor experience.
“I look forward to the popular Rock of Ages event returning to Dumbarton Castle in June to coincide with the 800th anniversary of Dumbarton’s founding as a Royal Burgh, and hope to see the castle grounds fully reopened as soon as possible.
“As an iconic cultural landmark and site of historical importance to Scotland, I will continue working to ensure Dumbarton Castle receives the investment it needs to fulfil its potential as a first class visitor destination.”
Many thanks to @MartinJDocherty for the invite for Dumbarton Castle today and to @HistEnvScot for their time updating us on the work on such an important site. https://t.co/Na9e3k2pL5
— Neil Gray MSP (@neilgraysnp) April 14, 2022
Details of the upcoming Rock of Ages event at Dumbarton Castle on 11 and 12 June 2022 are available on the Historic Environment Scotland website.
