Dumbarton Castle restored by dedicated team of stonemasons

Jul 3 2009 by Tina Kemp, Lennox Herald (main ed)

A UNIQUE team is using its expertise to preserve Dumbarton’s most treasured landmark.

A dedicated unit of stonemasons – the first in 10 years – has been set up to carry out vital conservation work at the castle.

The on-site craftsmen are part of a programme to protect and promote the medieval castle, which attracts hundreds of visitors every year.

Owners Historic Scotland hope it will help to encourage more people to the historic landmark, one of more than 345 heritage sites under its care.

Plans include opening up several areas of the castle to visitors, including the Wallace Tower, which is the best preserved part.

The castle and rock are also being promoted as a film location, with last year’s television adaptation of John Buchan’s The 39 Steps being shot there.

And a new Dumbarton Castle Society has been formed to assist and support the work taking place.

Peter Yeoman, Historic Scotland’s head of cultural resources, said: “We are committed to safeguarding Dumbarton Castle and to promoting its understanding and enjoyment by visitors from both the home and overseas markets.

“Our core work at Dumbarton is the conservation of the castle, and it’s the only one of our properties in 10 years to have a new dedicated monument conservation unit squad set up, with skilled stonemasons established on site to ensure its future conservation.

“Major repair programmes are currently underway at the magazine and at the medieval guardhouse. We hope, in the future, to carry out work to conserve the French prisons, and eventually to provide access and interpretation here and at the Wallace Tower, the best preserved part of the medieval castle.”

The interpretation unit recently produced new panels highlighting its history, and a new natural history trail has also been designed and is soon to be installed.

Historic Scotland is also working with teachers to generate awareness of the castle’s value as an educational resource.

Mr Yeoman continued: “To enhance the site’s image further we have also assisted West Dunbartonshire Council in considering replacing its broken and redundant floodlighting infrastructure on the castle rock.”

He thanked Brigadier Donald Hardie, Honorary Keeper of the castle, and the new Dumbarton Castle Society, who he said had given support and encouragement in its efforts to promote awareness and appreciation of the site.

He added: “The society has offered to fundraise to support our conservation and interpretation work, and this is something which we are currently exploring.”

The castle, which has seen some famous visitors in the past including Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Victoria, is included in Historic Scotland’s newly launched web-based celebration to mark the 2009 Year of Homecoming.

Rebecca Hamilton, marketing and media manager, said: “We hope it will encourage people to come along and enjoy Scotland’s historic sites, like the marvellous Dumbarton Castle.

Elsewhere there’s the chance to read what travellers, such as the writer Dorothy Wordsworth, had to say about her visit to the castle.