Dumbarton’s MSP says progress is being made on a plan to boost Dumbarton Castle and attract visitors.
Jackie Baillie told the Scottish Parliament this week that she had a “productive” meeting with Historic Environment Scotland in the town, which has cemented much-needed developments.
The politician advised the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson, of the progress during Portfolio Questions in the Chamber on Wednesday.
Jackie had earlier raised the lack of investment in Dumbarton Castle with the Cabinet Secretary.
During a session of General Questions in December, she pointed out to Mr Robertson that the iconic structure – which has ties to Mary, Queen of Scots – does not receive even a tenth of the funding allocated to Stirling and Edinburgh castles and asked whether he considered Dumbarton Castle to be “an important cultural asset”.
The town’s MSP even secured a commitment that the Cabinet Secretary would accompany her on a visit to the Castle.
But at Wednesday’s Portfolio Questions, she further grilled Mr Robertson, asking him to commit to a timetable for upgrades.
She had earlier met with castle custodians Historic Environment Scotland, the Friends of Dumbarton Castle and West Dunbartonshire Council, to secure better development of the site.
Jackie secured pledges to deal with repairs to the castle’s fabric, as well as vegetation, to build on conservation works which began in 2020.
A significant redesign and upgrade of the ground floor exhibition in the Governor’s House has also been pledged, as well as an upgrade to collections in the space.
Plans are afoot to display artefacts held by the University of Glasgow’s Hunterian Museum – unearthed by archaeological excavations carried out at the castle in the 1970s, dating back to the 1st Millenium AD.
A commitment to increasing signage to the site from the A82 has also been secured, alongside discussions with West Dunbartonshire Council, who will consider loaning collections material from their flagship Glencairn House museum.
Welcoming the developments, Jackie said: “I am delighted to be involved in creating a future vision for Dumbarton Castle and being part of work to bring together a masterplan to improve visitor experience.
“Dumbarton Castle has been overlooked for too long, in favour of other sites like Edinburgh and Stirling Castles.
“I am pleased that efforts are now being made to address this and help us make Dumbarton Castle the jewel in the town’s Crown once again.”
