A RIGHT to roam row has broken out following a proposal to charge visitors an admission fee to see ancient standing stones in Lewis.
The Calanais Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis have long been free for the public to access, but visitors who wish to visit the monuments from the late Neolithic era will need to pay.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) manages the site of one of Scotland's best-preserved Neolithic monuments and said the proposed admission charge would help conservation efforts to “balance the conservation of the monument” with visitor access.
Urras nan Tursachan, the charity which runs a neighbouring visitor centre where people would buy a ticket from, is building a new £6 million centre at the site which is expected to open next year.
Documents relating to the project suggest the Calanais Standing Stones will only be accessible after buying a ticket, according to The Telegraph.
However, some people are worried that restrictions due to the ticket system would stop them seeing the stones at night at key moments of astronomical activity.
Daru Mcaleece, an artist and storyteller from outside Edinburgh, and who represents the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, told The Telegraph free access is required for celebrations involving the ancient stones.
“The Calanais Stones are a significant feature of a sacred landscape, and have been a focus of ritual activity since the Bronze Age,” he said.
“Druids have a long history of working with sacred sites across the eight festivals of the year and these celebrations take place across the entire ceremonial landscape of Britain.
“Free access is required for these festivals.”
A spokesperson for Urras nan Tursachan said the stones will become part of the visitor journey with access via the visitor centre.
They said: “Previously and currently, visitors can freely walk up to the stones from the visitor centre car park without having to enter the visitor centre or make any payment.
“The new exhibition will now become part of the visitor journey to the stone site with access via the visitor centre, through the exhibition. This will be an all-in-one ticket price.”
A spokesperson for HES said any admission charge for the site would require approval from Scottish Ministers.
They said: “Calanais Standing Stones, like many prehistoric sites in Scotland, is a fragile and valuable asset. Proposed plans to redevelop the site aim to deliver a holistic, single-admission visitor experience for the stones and a redesigned visitor centre that is managed by Urras nan Tursachan.
“The proposed admission charge will help conservation efforts to balance the conservation of the monument with visitor access.
“Last year we sought input on our proposals from the local community, stakeholders, and all those with an interest in, or connection to, the site through in-person engagement sessions and a public consultation. Feedback from the engagement and consultation is in the process of being reviewed and recommendations will be shared in due course.
“The Calanais Standing Stones are a Property in Care of Scottish Ministers and managed on their behalf by Historic Environment Scotland. Under the scheme of delegation, any admission charge for the site would require approval from Scottish Ministers.”
