We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
T S Eliot
Connecting with the past;
informing the present; creating for the future.
A registered Scottish charity (No. SC055344)
A registered Scottish charity (No. SC055344)
The Lamont
Heritage
Association
HERITAGE NEWS
Thursday 30 July, 2026
Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh
A wildfire in Holyrood Park just under Salisbury Crags on Arthur's seat on Sunday 19th July required six appliances and specialist resources to bring it under control with crews in attendance for a further couple of days.
This iconic landmark in the centre of Edinburgh is no stranger to fire as some 340 to 350 million years ago when Scotland lay near the equator during its long migration from the Southern hemisphere, it was formed by an active volcano.
Holyrood Park has been a Royal Park since it was established by James V. It is managed by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) on behalf of the Scottish Government.
"Fire crews to remain at Arthur's Seat for days after blaze"
BBC News, 19July, 2026
Image by James Glen from Pixabay
Wildfires significantly damage heritage areas
Cairngorm National Park
A devastating fire which was discovered on Wednesday 15th July and, two weeks on at the time of writing this piece is still burning, has already devastated 25 kms of moorland, leaving a blacked wasteland where, in the words of an adviser to the National Park Authority, "You are passing through just bare forest now and birds flying about looking for their nests." The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Scotland has reported that the reserve at Boat of Garten has been badly damaged. It is estimated that the fire could burn for weeks.
Thursday 16 July 2026
Interim Chairman appointed to troubled Historic Environment Scotland
Mr Ronnie Hinds, former Chief Executive of Fife Council, has been appointed interim Chairman of Historic Environment Scotland (HES) following the resignation of Sir Mark Jones after only nine months of his four year contract.
HES Statement
14 July 2026
'Ronnie Hinds has been appointed Interim Chair of Historic Environment Scotland (HES) by the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic, Màiri McAllan. The appointment reflects the importance of strong leadership and governance as HES continues work to deliver the changes and improvements identified through the recent external review of organisational culture and structure.
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Mr Hinds took up the role on 13 July 2026 and will serve up to one year as Interim Chair.
As Interim Chair, he will work closely with Board members and staff across the organisation to support the delivery of HES's priorities and help strengthen its culture, governance and leadership.
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Mr Hinds is the former Chief Executive of Fife Council and has held a number of senior public appointments since retiring in 2013. Most recently, he served as Interim Chair of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, where he played a key role in addressing significant organisational challenges.
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Ronnie Hinds said:
'HES is responsible for the oversight of some of Scotland’s most iconic places and national treasures, its staff bring impressive expertise and dedication to the maintenance of over 300 properties in their care, to the benefit of the people of Scotland and international visitors.
Such responsibilities need to be matched by the highest standards of governance and behaviour by those charged with leading the organisation. I am honoured to be invited by the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic to play a part in ensuring that these standards are met. As Interim Chair, I look forward to working with Board members and the staff of HES to deliver the changes and improvements identified in the recent independent review of organisational culture and structure.'
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Mr Hinds does not hold any other public appointments. "
The recent independent review referred to by Mr Hinds was commissioned by HES which asked Mr David Martin to carry out a review following the report on its 2024/2025 accounts by Audit Scotland which found signifiant governance issues.
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Independent review of HES by David Martin
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Wednesday 27 May, 2026
A Scottish registered charity (No. SC055344)
Connecting with the past; informing the present;
creating for the future
LHA achieves charity status
The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) has let us know that we have met the charity test and that our application to be registered as a charity has been successful. It is not only gratifying to have this validation of what we are planning to do but it also brings with it some practical benefits such as the waiving of the monthly charge for our bank account and using the Gift Aid scheme to get tax return from donations and subscriptions made by UK taxpayers. There could be opportunities for grants once we are up and running and have specific projects to fund.
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Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 May, 2026
Edinburgh pupils get hands-on heritage experience at Edinburgh Castle
Historic Environment Scotland (HES), partnered with the Scottish Traditional Building Forum and The City of Edinburgh Council, held a two day event in Edinburgh on 27th and 28th May to give nearly 100 pupils a chance to try out a variety of both the modern construction methods and traditional craft skills essential to the preservation of our historic built environment. It is to be hoped that some will be inspired to become the next generation of skilled men and women engaged in the future-proofing of our national heritage.
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Wednesday 20th May, 2026
Octogenarian paddles to the rescue after Calmac breakdown
80 years old, as bonny as the day she was launched and truly a national treasure, the iconic PS Waverley steamed to the rescue of passengers stuck in Craignure on the Isle of Mull because of the breakdown of the Calmac ferry, MV Isle of Mull. Though the stricken vessel is amongst the oldest of the ageing and troubled Calmac fleet, at 39 she is but half the age of the Waverley. The comparison was pointed up by all who are dismayed by the multiple problems of the Calmac service, appalled at the scandalous delays to the completion of two new ferries and the eye-watering cost overruns on both and who aren't slow to make political capital out of the situation - most of the nation, we suspect.
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To be fair, Calmac is very supportive of the Waverley and it has to be said, too, that in 2020 when the Waverley ran into Brodick pier on Arran, it was a Calmac vessel, MV Caledonian Isles which came to the rescue and transported the 130 or so stranded passengers back to the mainland.
Thursday 23rd April, 2026
Inverchaolain Kirk changes hands
The sale of Inverchaolain Kirk by John and Julie McNamee who purchased it in 2017 and who were the first private owners after it ceased to be used for worship in 1990, has been announced on Facebook. The new owner is not named in the announcement but it is indicated that it will be resuming as a place of worship and as a venue for community events.
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