A LABOUR-run Scottish council has been accused of being “missing in action” amid a bit to save a historic house.
The National previously reported that a crowdfunding campaign had been launched to preserve Bannockburn House, which is in need of major restoration works.
It is currently under the ownership of the Bannockburn House Trust, which took over in 2017 in what was the biggest community buyout in the UK.
It comes after the council already faced criticism for approving plans for a horse racing track near the Battle of Bannockburn site – on which the Scottish Government has now intervened.
The trust is hoping to raise £100,000 to help preserve the house, including working to make the building more wind and watertight to prevent any further damage.
SNP councillor Brian Hambly, who represents the Bannockburn ward, told The National: “Stirling is woven into Scotland’s rich history and has an important role to play when it comes to preserving our national heritage, from Stirling Bridge to Bannockburn House. Such heritage must and should be supported.
“Unfortunately the current Labour administration of Stirling Council is all too often missing in action when it comes to protecting not only our communities from the ravages of Westminster austerity, and it has done little to protect and maintain those aspects of Scotland’s heritage entrusted to them by the electorate.
“This is why we now find such important sites as Bannockburn House (above) have to turn to such mechanisms as crowdfunding to offset the lack of continued funding and support in these challenging times to the board of trustees.”
He added that the fact the trust has now had to turn to crowdfunding to raise money to preserve the house is a “sad indictment”.
“We must all act to preserve Scotland’s national heritage and if that requires the board of trustees of Bannockburn House to reach out through crowdfunding then they have my support,” the councillor added.
Stirling Council did previously approve £300,000 for improved transport infrastructure to Bannockburn House at the beginning of 2023.
Stirling Council declined to comment although The National has approached both Stirling Labour and Bannockburn House Trust for further comment.
