Essential repairs begin on 600-year-old castle in Outer Hebrides
A secondary structure will be installed beneath the existing concrete, using non-ferrous materials, timber and blockwork, which will be more suited to the aggressive maritime environment.
READ MORE: The 26 MPs who voted against proscribing Palestine Action
This will allow HES to safely carry out further necessary works to the interior of the Castle, with the conservation plans estimated to take about three weeks to complete.
The beginning of the conservation work follows an intricate operation to temporarily relocate historic objects from the Great Hall to ensure their protection while the works are underway.
The artefacts, which are owned by The Macneil of Barra, include six muskets, two halberds and an 'impressive' armorial.
The muskets and halberds are stamped with dates from 1742 and 1743, dating them back to the time of the Jacobite Risings.
The armorial, a metal coat of arms which has been painted and lacquered, includes depictions of a Lion Rampant, a masted ship and Kisimul Castle, and was presented to Clan Macneil in 1968.
The relocation of the artefacts also allowed for the documentation of the objects to be updated with new photographs and measurements, with condition checks also taking place.
James MacPherson, District Architect at HES, said: 'We are delighted to be progressing works to the interior of the castle which is a key milestone in our programme of conservation work and is another step forward in our long-term plans to reopen Kisimul Castle to visitors.
'We appreciate that the communities of Barra and Vatersay are keen to showcase Kisimul Castle to visitors who arrive from all over the world, and we will continue to work closely with the local community. We are pleased to run free seasonal boat trips around the bay and Castle again this year and hope visitors enjoy exploring the wider area while access to the Castle is currently restricted.'
These works are the next stage in HES's long-term goal to reopen Kisimul Castle to visitors once it is safe to do so.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
3 days ago
- The National
Essential repairs begin on 600-year-old castle in Outer Hebrides
The works will look to employ new interventions to address concerns with the concrete and its internal reinforcement bars. A secondary structure will be installed beneath the existing concrete, using non-ferrous materials, timber and blockwork, which will be more suited to the aggressive maritime environment. READ MORE: The 26 MPs who voted against proscribing Palestine Action This will allow HES to safely carry out further necessary works to the interior of the Castle, with the conservation plans estimated to take about three weeks to complete. The beginning of the conservation work follows an intricate operation to temporarily relocate historic objects from the Great Hall to ensure their protection while the works are underway. The artefacts, which are owned by The Macneil of Barra, include six muskets, two halberds and an 'impressive' armorial. The muskets and halberds are stamped with dates from 1742 and 1743, dating them back to the time of the Jacobite Risings. The armorial, a metal coat of arms which has been painted and lacquered, includes depictions of a Lion Rampant, a masted ship and Kisimul Castle, and was presented to Clan Macneil in 1968. The relocation of the artefacts also allowed for the documentation of the objects to be updated with new photographs and measurements, with condition checks also taking place. James MacPherson, District Architect at HES, said: 'We are delighted to be progressing works to the interior of the castle which is a key milestone in our programme of conservation work and is another step forward in our long-term plans to reopen Kisimul Castle to visitors. 'We appreciate that the communities of Barra and Vatersay are keen to showcase Kisimul Castle to visitors who arrive from all over the world, and we will continue to work closely with the local community. We are pleased to run free seasonal boat trips around the bay and Castle again this year and hope visitors enjoy exploring the wider area while access to the Castle is currently restricted.' These works are the next stage in HES's long-term goal to reopen Kisimul Castle to visitors once it is safe to do so.
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Viking sword among artefacts on display at Dumbarton Castle
The Rock of Ages exhibition, located in the Governor's House, opened following an extensive refurbishment and conservation works to ensure a suitable environment for displaying significant objects. The exhibition features historic objects from the HES collection and loaned items from English Heritage and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum. Viking sword pommel, AD 800-900, on loan from the Hunterian, University of Glasgow (Image: Scott Louden) The exhibition also features a virtual tour of the Castle. Artefacts discovered during a 1970s excavation of Dumbarton Rock are also on loan from the Hunterian Museum. Read more: Man who was found dead at Glasgow flat named This includes iron arrowheads dated around 1300 from the Wars of Independence, silver coins from the reigns of Edward I and Edward II, glass beads, and fragments more than 1,500 years old. The exhibition also includes a replica of a toucan embroidery panel created by Mary, Queen of Scots during her imprisonment in England, an early 19th-century jewellery box thought to have been made by a French prisoner held at Dumbarton Castle during the Napoleonic wars, and three carved stones weighing up to 183kg dating as far back as the 10th century. Iron arrowhead dating from the Wars of Independence (1296-1329), on loan from the Hunterian, University of Glasgow (Image: Scott Louden) Among the loaned items from English Heritage is a 150kg cannonball made to be fired from Mons Meg, a medieval cannon. Stephen Duncan, director of marketing and engagement at HES, said: "This exciting new exhibition will allow visitors to discover the stories of Dumbarton Castle through the historic artefacts discovered there, giving a window into the extraordinary past of one of Scotland's oldest castles. "It is a fantastic experience for anyone interested in exploring 1,600 years of Scottish history." Jewellery box, believed to have been made by French prisoners held at Dumbarton Castle around 1815, Historic Environment Scotland collection (Image: Scott Louden) Paul Neeson, chair of Dumbarton Castle Society, said: "This new exhibition is a welcome addition to Dumbarton Castle. "To be able to display iconic and historic artefacts and interpretation to describe and illustrate the history of these items alongside the long and fascinating history of Dumbarton Castle and the legends associated with it will be a huge boost.'
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Historic artefacts from 1,600-year history of castle go on display
The exhibition features historic objects from the Historic Environment Scotland (HES) collection, as well as loaned items from English Heritage and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum. Artefacts which were discovered during a 1970s excavation of Dumbarton Rock, where over 300 objects were uncovered as well as the charred remains of the early fortress, are also on loan from the Hunterian Museum. This includes a 1,000-year-old Viking sword pommel which may have come from the Viking siege of the Rock in AD 870. READ MORE: A 1,000-year-old Viking sword pommel, medieval coins and a replica of an embroidery panel created by Mary, Queen of Scots are among a number of historic artefacts on display as part of a new exhibition at Dumbarton Castle. The Rock of Ages exhibition, located in the Governor's House, has opened following an extensive refurbishment which includes conservation works to help ensure a suitable environment for significant objects to be displayed to visitors. The exhibition features historic objects from the HES collection, as well as loaned items from English Heritage and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum. Artefacts which were discovered during a 1970s excavation of Dumbarton Rock, where over 300 objects were uncovered as well as the charred remains of the early fortress, are also on loan from the Hunterian Museum. This includes a 1,000-year-old Viking sword pommel which may have come from the Viking siege of the Rock in AD 870. Jewellery box, believed to have been made by French prisoners held at Dumbarton Castle around 1815, Historic Environment Scotland collection. (Image: Scott Louden) Some of the objects on loan from the Hunterian Museum have never before been on display to the public. This includes iron arrowheads dated c.1300 from the Wars of Independence, silver coins from the reigns of Edward I (1296-1305) and Edward II (1307-1327), glass beads, and glass fragments dated from more than 1,500 years ago. Some of the pottery fragments that feature in the exhibition are from vessels which would have carried wine and perhaps olive oil, showcasing how well-connected Alt Clut, the early medieval stronghold, was to continental and Mediterranean Europe. Glass beads worn as jewellery by both the men and women of Alt Clut along with counters from ancient board games give further insight into life on the Rock. Items from the HES collection include a replica of a toucan embroidery by Mary, Queen of Scots which was one of 37 needlework panels created by her during her imprisonment in England before her execution in 1587. Mary was sheltered at Dumbarton Castle as a child in 1548 before boarding a ship to France. In addition, an early 19th century jewellery box, decorated using twists of paper which is thought to have been made by a French prisoner held at Dumbarton Castle during the Napoleonic wars, also features in the exhibition, as well as three decorated carved stones, weighing up to 183kg and dating as far back as the 10th century, which are now back on display at the Castle following an intricate operation to install them via crane. Iron arrowhead dating from the Wars of Independence (1296-1329), on loan from the Hunterian, University of Glasgow. (Image: Scott Louden) On loan from English Heritage is another rare item on display - a 150kg cannonball which was made to be fired from Mons Meg. In 1489, the six-tonne medieval cannon was dragged across the country from Edinburgh Castle to Dumbarton Castle as part of James IV's claim to reclaim Dumbarton Castle after it was seized by nobles. Visitors to the Rock of Ages exhibition can also enjoy a virtual tour of the Castle which will take them on a journey to key locations throughout the site including the top of Dumbarton Rock, offering alternative access to the steep slopes and spectacular views of the River Clyde. Stephen Duncan, Director of Marketing and Engagement at HES, said: 'This exciting new exhibition will allow visitors to discover the stories of Dumbarton Castle through the historic artefacts discovered there, giving a window into the extraordinary past of one of Scotland's oldest castles. It is a fantastic experience for anyone interested in exploring 1,600 years of Scottish history.' Paul Neeson, chair of Dumbarton Castle Society, said: 'This new exhibition is a welcome addition to Dumbarton Castle. To be able to display iconic and historic artefacts and interpretation to describe and illustrate the history of these items alongside the long and fascinating history Dumbarton Castle and the legends associated with it will be a huge boost.'
