Dumbarton Castle to reopen in March after climate change checks
The historic fortress has been closed to visitors for most of the last year.
Visitors will be allowed back to explore Dumbarton Castle more than a year after the site was closed on safety grounds, following the completion of masonry inspections.
Historic Environment Scotland brought in the restrictions in early 2022 as it ordered urgent checks to manage the impact of climate change on its ancient buildings.
When it reopens in March visitors will be able to explore the majority of the 800-year-old site including The Governor’s House, the Guard House and Portcullis Arch, the remains of the White Tower which are on top of the highest point of the site, the French Prison, Wallace Tower, the Magazine and Crane Bastion.
Safety restrictions
One minor access restriction will remain in place at the Spur Battery which will exclude access to the Spanish and Bower Batteries.
Ground level restrictions also remain in areas around the base of the Rock, however, this is managed as part of routine rock risk and is not part of the High Level Masonry Programme.
Dumbarton Castle will be the latest site to reopen as part of the prioritised programme of inspections, following sites such as Doune Castle, Burleigh Castle, Dundonald Castle and St Andrews Castle which reopened after their surveys were carried out. More than 30 sites currently have increased access since inspections began in May last year.
Craig Mearns, Director of Operations at HES, said: “I am delighted to announce that we will soon be reopening Dumbarton Castle to visitors. We are working as quickly as we can to reopen our historic sites, and we appreciate the public’s patience while we undertake these necessary inspections and subsequent repairs.
“Dumbarton Castle is one of Scotland’s most important strongholds and climate change is another part of its long and varied history. We look forward to welcoming visitors back to the iconic site as soon as we have carried out the final checks and implemented any additional safety measures. For more details on when tickets will be on sale, please check our website and social media channels where further information will be released soon.”
Haunted Scotland
Culloden Battlefield, near Inverness
It's rumoured that ghosts return to this famous landmark just a few miles from Inverness each year, on the anniversary of the Battle of Culloden. There have been reports of blood-curdling battle cries, the sound of clashing swords across the bleak moor and sightings of ghosts, including a soldier lying on the ground injured.
Edinburgh Castle
The majestic castle at the centre of our capital tells a varied and fascinating story, with many spooky goings on. One reads that a piper went into the tunnels leading from the castle to the Royal Mile hundreds of years ago to explore them. He was playing his pipes so those above ground could hear he was safe - but suddenly the music stopped. When rescuers arrived to investigate, he had disappeared without trace. But the lonely piper is said to still haunt the tunnels to this day.
St Andrews Cathedral, Fife
The cathedral is said to have two ghostly residents. For hundreds of years, there have been sightings of a lady wearing white gloves who glides silently through the grounds, before vanishing at the tower. The story goes that workmen repairing the tower many years ago broke into a sealed chamber housing several coffins, one of which was open. It is rumoured to have contained a preserved body of a young woman who was wearing white gloves…
Stirling Castle
Not only is this one of the most important castles in the history of our country, but Stirling Castle is said to be home to a ghostly Highlander who is dressed in full traditional Scottish garb. He's so vivid that visitors often mistake him for a tour guide, but when they approach him, he simply turns away and disappears in front of their eyes.
Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh
Edinburgh is one of the world's spookiest cities, and Mary King's Close is known as 'Scotland's Spookiest Street'. One of many lanes leading from the Royal Mile, this particular one only opened in recent times, after being bricked up during an outbreak of the Plague. Among many other reports, the spirit of a young girl has been seen to glide silently around while tourists visit the area.
Eilean Donan Castle, near Kyle of Lochalsh
Not only a favourite for tourists to get photos for Instagram, this stunning castle has long been rumoured to have a Spanish soldier as one of many ghostly residents. He was killed in the first Jacobite rebellion in 1719, and sightings have been reported many times since. The castle's bedrooms are also said to house the ghost of 'Lady Mary'.
Fyvie Castle, near Turriff
According to legend, Lilias Drummond was starved to death by her husband for failing to provide a son and heir. He married for a second time, but his wedding night was interrupted by his former wife's ghostly laments outside. Her name was found freshly scratched into the castle walls the following day – and you can still see it today. It's said when the temperature in the room drops suddenly and you can smell roses, you're in the presence of Lilias Drummond's ghost.
Culzean Castle, Ayrshire
Now one of the jewels in the National Trust for Scotland's crown, this stunning Ayrshire castle was once home to the chief of Clan Kennedy. It's said that whenever a member of the Kennedy family is about to get married, a ghostly piper plays in the grounds. And he's not alone – a young woman wearing a ballgown has been reported to glide up and down the grand oval staircase shrouded in grey mist!
Abbotsford House, Melrose
The former home of Sir Walter Scott is said to be haunted by the former architect of the building, George Bullock, who died in 1818. Scott was awoken by loud noises coming from inside the house on the night of Bullock's death. Grabbing his sword, he went to investigate, but found nothing. Bullock's ghost has been seen several times since. The ghost of Sir Walter himself is also rumoured to haunt the Dining Room, where he is said to have died, to this day.
Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Many old theatres across the country are said to host the apparitions of performers and writers from over the years. But the Theatre Royal is rumoured to have the ghost of a cleaning lady called Nora, who finally realised her dream of making it on stage, only to be booed off again immediately. She's said to still haunt the building today, where she can be heard moaning and rattling doors in the Upper Circle.
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