Earlier this week, John Harrison, chair of the Society, attended a meeting hosted by Historic Scotland about the future of the King's Park. A group of academic historians and archaeologists who were present have issued a statement about the park's future at this period when ownership is in question.
The matter is of the gravest importance. For 900 years, the park has belonged to The Crown - basically, it has been in public ownership. The threat is that the Crown Estate Commissioners might sell the land to a diversity of new owners.
Divided ownership would inevitably make long-term protection of these unique historic landscapes more difficult - perhaps impossible. They have long been (and remain) a vital national and local asset.
The group, which included Chris Smout, Historiographer Royal, agreed that the best solution is transfer to ownership by Scottish Ministers as is already the case for the Castle itself and for the King's Knot. Scottish ministers would pass effective management to Historic Scotand and existing stakeholders (including the Golf Club and the general public of Stirling) would continue to be involved in day to day management.
It would be really good to have your comments on this issue, either by email or, best, via the comment facility on the blog.
You can see the statement which we issued here.
The matter is of the gravest importance. For 900 years, the park has belonged to The Crown - basically, it has been in public ownership. The threat is that the Crown Estate Commissioners might sell the land to a diversity of new owners.
Divided ownership would inevitably make long-term protection of these unique historic landscapes more difficult - perhaps impossible. They have long been (and remain) a vital national and local asset.
The group, which included Chris Smout, Historiographer Royal, agreed that the best solution is transfer to ownership by Scottish Ministers as is already the case for the Castle itself and for the King's Knot. Scottish ministers would pass effective management to Historic Scotand and existing stakeholders (including the Golf Club and the general public of Stirling) would continue to be involved in day to day management.
It would be really good to have your comments on this issue, either by email or, best, via the comment facility on the blog.
You can see the statement which we issued here.
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