June 10 2008

The royal lodgings at Stirling Castle are to be returned to their “Renaissance magnificence”, resulting in a major new attraction that is predicted to raise castle visitor numbers to around 480,000 a year.

Visitors will be able to see how the king’s and queen’s halls and chambers may have looked in the mid-16th century and will be welcomed and shown round by costumed interpreters richly dressed in authentic costumes of the era.

“The conservation and presentation of James V’s magnificent Renaissance palace is the most ambitious phase of Historic Scotland’s project at Stirling Castle,” said Chris Watkins, head of Historic Scotland’s major projects team.

“It will mark the culmination of many years of research and skilled conservation and craft work that have helped reinstate the splendour that the Stewart monarchs gave to Stirling.

“We have so far completed the refurbishment of the Great Hall and the Chapel Royal and this phase will help emphasise the grandeur of the palace, the royal lodgings and James V’s aspiration to create a Scottish court of European importance.

£9 million is being invested by Historic Scotland and an additional uplift of £3 million has been granted by the Scottish Government.

Linda Fabiani, MSP, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, said: “We are firmly committed to making the very most of the nation’s fabulous culture and heritage, which are so important to our tourism industry. I hope that once the palace project is complete it will attract many more visitors to Stirling from home and worldwide.”

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