Restoration or dilapidation for our historic buildings

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Archiseek / UK / Scotland / News / 2006 / May 5

It's an irresistible dream, a castle or stately home in the country. Your own land, no nosy, obnoxious neighbours and a little slice of Scottish history all yours to do up as you see fit. But before you rush down to the estate agents to snap up that ramshackle country pile in need of some upgrading and modernisation, there are a number of potential pitfalls to consider. There are strict rules on what can and cannot be done to a period property in Scotland. Adventurous types who are looking to "do up" a ruined castle are unlikely to get permission to restore it to a family home under the current guidelines. Historic Scotland, the organisation tasked with ensuring that the nation's buildings are preserved for future generations, believes that ruins, or a scheduled monument, should remain ruined.

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