- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 October 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 11 November 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a fundamental and insurmountable incompatibility between the restoration plans for Castle Tioram proposed by the castle's current owners and the Executive's position in respect of the recent public local inquiry into those plans.
Answer
The public local inquiry gave the opportunity for all parties to be heard and for witnesses, including Historic Scotland, to be cross-examined. The inquiry was conducted by an independent reporter who recommended to Scottish ministers that scheduled monument consent to restore the castle be refused, a recommendation that Scottish ministers accepted. He believed that consolidation was a more appropriate approach to safeguarding the castle.The applicants have lodged an appeal with the Court of Session on a point of law. It would not therefore be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this time.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 October 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 8 November 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions representatives of Historic Scotland met representatives of Castle Tioram before the recent public inquiry.
Answer
Representatives of Historic Scotland met representatives of Castle Tioram on four occasions prior to the recent public inquiry.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 October 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 8 November 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive how many representations it has received about the future of Castle Tioram.
Answer
Following the decision of Scottish ministers earlier this year to accept the reporter's recommendation following a Public Local Inquiry not to grant scheduled monument consent for the restoration of Castle Tioram 66 representations have been received.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 October 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 8 November 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what action Historic Scotland will take if the condition of Castle Tioram deteriorates to a point where its current physical form and interest is compromised.
Answer
Under section 5 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, if it appears to Scottish ministers that any works are urgently necessary for the preservation of a scheduled monument, they may enter the site of the monument and execute those works after giving the owner and the occupier notice in writing of their intention to do so. Such powers would be exercised on behalf of Scottish ministers by Historic Scotland. There are currently no plans to exercise these powers in respect of Castle Tioram.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 October 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 8 November 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what the position of Historic Scotland is in respect of at what point any further deterioration in the condition of Castle Tioram will compromise the castle's current historic interest.
Answer
In his report following the Public Local Inquiry the reporter found that the castle was inherently strong but concluded that without major consolidation work the risk of further collapse in five to 10 years was significant. Under section 5 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, if it appears to Scottish ministers that any works are urgently necessary for the preservation of a scheduled monument, they may enter the site of the monument and execute those works after giving the owner and the occupier notice in writing of their intention to do so. Such powers would be exercised on behalf of Scottish ministers by Historic Scotland. There are currently no plans to exercise these powers in respect of Castle Tioram but Scottish ministers would like to see all erosion arrested as any decay can compromise the cultural significance of a monument.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 October 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 8 November 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will instruct Historic Scotland to discuss long-term conservation measures with the current owners of Castle Tioram.
Answer
The owners of Castle Tioram have lodged an appeal with the Court of Session on a point of law. However, officials in Historic Scotland would be happy to discuss long-term conservation measures with them if an approach was made.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 October 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 8 November 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on whether any further deterioration in the condition of Castle Tioram should be permitted.
Answer
In his report following the Public Local Inquiry the reporter found that the castle was inherently strong but concluded that without major consolidation work the risk of further collapse in five to 10 years was significant. Under section 5 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, if it appears to Scottish ministers that any works are urgently necessary for the preservation of a scheduled monument, they may enter the site of the monument and execute those works after giving the owner and the occupier notice in writing of their intention to do so. Such powers would be exercised on behalf of Scottish ministers by Historic Scotland. There are currently no plans to exercise these powers in respect of Castle Tioram.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 October 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 8 November 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what Historic Scotland's strategy is for securing the conservation of Castle Tioram.
Answer
In evidence to the Public Local Inquiry, Historic Scotland stated that it believed the appropriate conservation strategy was to secure it as a consolidated ruin and restore year-round public access.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 October 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 7 November 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive why the powers and responsibilities of Historic Scotland, as set out in the Historic Scotland Framework Document 2001, are not available for public view on the agency's website and whether there are any plans to make the framework document available on the website.
Answer
Historic Scotland has recently refreshed its website and is currently extending the range of publications on it. This includes the framework document which is now available on the website.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 October 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 7 November 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to alter Historic Scotland's operating instructions as set out in Historic Scotland - Framework Document 2001.
Answer
The framework document reflects the responsibility of Historic Scotland to discharge statutory functions of Scottish ministers. The framework document will be revised to reflect the fact that Historic Scotland no longer fulfils the departmental sponsorship function in respect of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.The Education, Culture and Sport Committee have asked Scottish ministers to review the roles and responsibilities of Historic Scotland in their response to the Public Appointments (Scotland) Bill. Ministers are considering this request and will be responding in advance of the Stage 2 discussions on the bill.
