Historic environment and heritage management projects, resources, commentary and analysis by Profs Ian Baxter (Heriot-Watt University) & David Gill (UEA)
The impact of lockdowns due to the pandemic is making itself clear on the visitor figures released by ALVA. Reduced visitor numbers will see a reduction in income from ticket sales as well as through retail outlets. We have yet to see the impact on those who pay annual memberships.
The 44 properties represented in this histogram received over 20 million visitors in 2019; in 2020 it was just over 6 million. The Top 10 properties for HES dropped by nearly 4 million visitors.
The ALVA figures for 2020 have been released. I have chosen the top 10 locations for the National Trust for Scotland where there is easily accessible data for 2019. I have not included Corrieshalloch Gorge (56,060), Ben Lomond (54,266), or Balmacara Estate & Lochalsh Woodland Garden (45,957). These 10 sites attracted 934,938 in 2020, down from 2.1 million in 2019.
The Outlander series of books and TV series is having an impact on visitor numbers at heritage sites in Scotland (“Outlander tourism effect a ‘double edged sword’“, BBC News 15 February 2020). Doune Castle is reported to have a 200 per cent increase, rising from 38,000 in 2013 to 142,000 in 2008. It is now the fifth most popular Historic Environment Scotland site.
Culloden, managed by the National Trust for Scotland, has also seen a large increase in visitor numbers to over 213,000 in 2018.
Brodick Castle & Country Park [216]: 39,708 [-10.4%]. 2017: 44,361 [-38.1%]
Georgian House [222]: 33,450 [-11.3%]
Ben Lawers Visitor Centre [229]: 24,728 [-12.3%]
Culross Palace [230]: 24,445 [+52.6%]
Craigievar Castle [232]: 19,702 [+15.6%]
Leith Hall [233]: 19,332 [-1.8%]
Tenement House [237]: 17,053 [-5.3%]
Kellie Castle [238]: 17,003 [+5.8%]
Broughton House & Garden [239]: 16,843 [+8.2%]
Greenbank Garden [240]: 16,327 [+2.4%]
Hill House [243]: 12,150 [-57.4%]. 2017: 28,518 [+6.2%]
Geilston Garden [244]: 12,110 [+17%]
Gladstones Land [245]: 11,670 [-3.2%]. 2017: 12,061 [-44.7%]
There is wider coverage of NTS in the ALVA figures for 2018. Bannockburn’s visitor numbers are a surprise given the increase in HES numbers for Stirling Castle.
W. Douglas Simpson (1896–1968) prepared a series of Ministry guidebook for sites in State Guardianship. He was lecturer in British History at the University of Aberdeen (by 1924), and then He served as Librarian and Registrar for the University of Aberdeen from 1926 through to 1966. He served as Chair of the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland. He was awarded OBE (1954) and CBE (1962).
In 1959 Simpson prepared Scottish Castles: An Introduction to the Castles of Scotland (HMSO, 1959). In the Foreword he wrote: ‘Those who read this little book will come to realise that, small and poor as it has always been, Scotland yet possesses a distinctive castellated architecture, and one of which any nation might be proud’. There are eight sections:
Several of the castles and abbeys he studied were located around Aberdeen: Tolquhon Castle (1948), Huntly Castle (1954), Kildrummy and Glenbuchat (1957); the Abbey of Deer (1952).
The guidebook for Dunstaffnage (1981) contains his draft.
(1954)
He also prepared (with V. Gordon Childe) the Illustrated Guide to Ancient Monuments … vol 6: Scotland (1954).
He prepared one guidebook for the National Trust for Scotland: Craigievar Castle, the rock of Mar (1966) (NTS). This castle is located to the west of Aberdeen.
Simpson also prepared two guidebooks for castles in England: Brough Castle, Cumbria (1949; repr. 1969) (now English Heritage); Bodiam Castle (1965) for the National Trust.
Heritage sites need to be understood in their wider setting. And the visitor experience for those making their way to Threave Castle includes a walk along the river and then a ferry across to the island (included in the entrance fee).
The ferryman helpfully pointed out a possible archaeological feature emerging from the waters due to the drought conditions. Is this a geological feature or perhaps traces of a ford across the river?
The details of the Leading Visitor Attractions for 2017 are now available. The National Trust for Scotland locations are:
Glenfinnan [81]: 396,448 [+57.8%]
Culzean Castle & Country Park [124]: 244,930 [+11.6%]
Inverewe Gardens [139]: 191,951 [+109.6%]
Culloden [145]: 180,875 [+27.6%]
Burns Birthplace Museum [155]: 164,316 [+1.2%]
Crathes Castle [171]: 121,841 [+23.7%]
Bannockburn [201]: 55,347 [+7.9%]
Falkland Palace [205]: 50,726 [+15.1%]
Drum Castle [208]: 46,574 [-3%]
Brodick Castle & Country Park [210]: 44,361 [-38.1%]
Pitmedden Garden [212]: 43,045 [+17.9%]
Hill House [220]: 28,518 [+6.2%]
Gladstones Land [235]: 12,061 [-44.7%]
There are two notable changes: Glenfinnan has rocketed to the top of the NTS list, and Inverewe has risen from no. 181. Inverewe’s popularity is probably its situation on the designated Scottish coastal drive NC500.
The Glenfinnan Monument, in the care of the National Trust for Scotland, marks the point where Prince Charles Edward Stewart landed in 1745. The column was erected in 1815
The Burns Birthplace Museum is managed by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS). The visitor centre at Alloway is linked to the cottage via the Poet’s Path.
Burns Night is celebrated on Wednesday 25 January 2017.
