A splendid blog post on the Herald website by Andy Wightman, well-known expert on land ownership in Scotland on a subject of great importance to Stirling and to SLHS, the King's Park. http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/bloggers/why-is-an-ancient-scottish-royal-park-about-to-be-flogged-off-for-a-million-quid.20120356
The park has been crown land since the twelfth century and most of it is still in crown hands. It is by far the finest medieval royal landscape in Scotland and of European importance. There is huge potential for further research, for interpretation and to integrate the park with the newly-presented royal lodgings of Stirling Castle.
Control and ownership of the crown estate in Scotland is one of the issues being considered in the current Scotland Bill; within weeks, ownership could pass to Scottish ministers. But, as Wightman points out, the Crown Estate Commissioners are prepared to sell the park to Stirling Council who would then lease a large part to the private Stirling Golf Club, effectively giving them control of much of the area. The Council appear to be willing to spend up to £1m for this - even though they might get more effective control and management by simply waiting a few weeks for the Scotland Bill to pass.
Many private individuals and Kings Park Community Council have expressed concerns and such a move would certainly not help Stirling Local History Society in their plans to investigate these crucial landscapes. Have you been aware of widespread local discussion of this crucial issue? What do you think should happen. Do feel free to comment here or elsewhere.
The park has been crown land since the twelfth century and most of it is still in crown hands. It is by far the finest medieval royal landscape in Scotland and of European importance. There is huge potential for further research, for interpretation and to integrate the park with the newly-presented royal lodgings of Stirling Castle.
Control and ownership of the crown estate in Scotland is one of the issues being considered in the current Scotland Bill; within weeks, ownership could pass to Scottish ministers. But, as Wightman points out, the Crown Estate Commissioners are prepared to sell the park to Stirling Council who would then lease a large part to the private Stirling Golf Club, effectively giving them control of much of the area. The Council appear to be willing to spend up to £1m for this - even though they might get more effective control and management by simply waiting a few weeks for the Scotland Bill to pass.
Many private individuals and Kings Park Community Council have expressed concerns and such a move would certainly not help Stirling Local History Society in their plans to investigate these crucial landscapes. Have you been aware of widespread local discussion of this crucial issue? What do you think should happen. Do feel free to comment here or elsewhere.
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