Bright idea for power at Scots castle

IT was built in the 14th century and welcomed Mary Queen of Scots among its distinguished guests.

Only candles and hearth fires offered any heat or light in those bygone days at Crichton Castle in the Midlothian countryside.

But now Historic Scotland has hit on a modern solution to meet the changing needs of the A-listed attraction.

Under new plans, electricity will be generated by solar panels installed on the tower roof to give comfort to the solitary steward who staffs the site.

The castle, which provided a location for the final sword battle between actors Liam Neeson and Tim Roth in the film Rob Roy, opens to the public between April and September, when a steward guides visitors.

The panels are set to power such items as a kettle and a fax machine, in a move believed to be the first of its kind for a Scottish heritage site.

The initiative will also allow Historic Scotland to meet health and safety regulations demanding adequate heating, lighting and toilet provisions for staff.

A spokeswoman for Historic Scotland said: "We were looking for a long-term and more up-to-date way to offer these facilities to the steward hired on a seasonal basis.

"Our staff previously supplied bottled gas to power a generator inside the castle. The panels will be installed on top of the tower, on a roof slab which is about ten metres square. They will only be about three of four square metres in size.

"Communications with the castle will also be improved. It had a phone but now we will be able to add things like a fax machine. They will also power basic cooking facilities like a kettle."

The solar panels were chosen as an environmentally-friendly option which would not damage the structure of the ancient building.

"They will have a minimum impact on the site and will be very discreet," added the spokeswoman. "There is no visitor access to the tower and the panels will not be visible."

Historic Scotland has applied for planning permission from Midlothian Council to install the panels and hopes to have them in place by the end of March.

"There will also be no noise or emissions and they will allow us to meet our green tourism targets," added the spokeswoman.

A Midlothian Council spokeswoman said:

"The council’s views on the proposed development will be sent to Historic Scotland, hopefully in the next two months."

Crichton Castle has a colourful history. Located two miles south-west of the village of Pathhead, it was most likely built by John de Crichton in the late 14th century.

In 1562 Mary Queen of Scots visited to attend the marriage of her half-brother, Lord James Stewart.