Scotland Heritage Sites Faces Climate Change Challenge, Government Provides Funding To Help Restoration Efforts

Climate change is not just a weather problem for Scotland as the country's heritage sites are under threat. But the government is working on preserving these heritage sites, as funding for repairs are being provided.

According to Gavin Haines of The Telegraph, the Historic Environment Scotland's (HES) study said 53 percent of the 352 heritage sites it assessed are now "at risk." The report also said that the country's changing climate has been the biggest threat these sites are facing.

HES said that the overall warming climate that happened in the last century has led to "wetter winters, drier summers, and increased frequency of extreme and unpredictable weather." The changes in the overall climate of the country have been tough for the old buildings to deal with.

"These altered precipitation patterns and increased frequency of extreme and unpredictable weather events impose additional stresses on buildings," the study said. These changes "could not have been foreseen during the construction or subsequent consolidation of historic monuments."

Haines said the report also adds that even the previously modified architectural detailing are still struggling to deal with the current demands of the climate today. Edinburgh Castle and Links of Notland are among Scotland's heritage sites that are at risk due to climate change.

But the government of Scotland is trying to do something about it as HES reports that Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has confirmed the £6.6 million funding to support the conservation work being done on these heritage sites. Hyslop was the one who commissioned HES to conduct the study to provide a comprehensive picture of these sites.

HES' study said the amount needed for conservation and repairs to restore and protect these sites are £65 million over ten years. HES said the funding that was announced will help them start working on priority sites, which include the Edinburgh, Doune, and Stirling Castles.

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