Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has responded to calls from a Scottish MP to explain why a popular tourist attraction on the island of Barra will remain closed this summer.
MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (formerly the Western Isles) Angus MacNeil made a post on his own website on Monday, May 23, asking for Alex Paterson, chief executive of Historic Environment Scotland to come to the island to explain to the community why Kisimul Castle will remain closed this summer.
The SNP MP stated that HES is not "living up to their promises" on Kisimul Castle, adding that the local community feel let down and angered by the organisation's attitude toward the castle.
In the post, he said: “People travel from all over the world to see Kisimul Castle which is reputed to be almost 1,000 years old.
" A Castle that is set in the sea with a freshwater well and is of historic importance to the Isle of Barra, the Clan MacNeil, and the wider Hebrides.
“Historic Environment Scotland is not working to keep the Castle as they should have when they leased the Castle from the late MacNeil of Barra for £1 a year and a bottle of whisky. We expect so much better from Historic Environment Scotland and I feel that they can’t run away from the community."
He finished by urging the group to come to Barra to discuss with people what their plans are for the castle.
The only surviving medieval castle in the Western Isles, Barra's Kisimul Castle is known as the 'Castle in the Sea' due to its position on a small island which lies just off the southern shore of the main island.
It was originally the seat of the Macneils of Barra, an important clan on the islands.
A post on the HES website reads: "Kisimul Castle is closed until further notice to allow for conservation works."
Responding to Mr MacNeil's calls, a spokesperson for HES said: “We very much understand the concerns expressed in relation to the ongoing closure of Kisimul Castle, however, our first priority is to manage the risks to staff and visitors and hence the property remains closed for the moment as our conservation team considers the best way ahead.
“We intend to reassess the property soon to consider what options may be open to us and will continue to have dialogue with the owners and other relevant partners throughout that process.”
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