"The Castle of Old Wick in northern Scotland has reopened to the public following a round of high-level masonry inspections and minor repairs completed by Historic Environment Scotland (HES). In October, specialist conservation teams carried out tactile inspections of the medieval ruin, examining its stonework by hand while using ropes and scaffolding to safely access difficult areas. These checks form part of HES's nationwide High-Level Masonry Programme, launched in April 2022, which assesses historic structures with masonry over 1.5 metres."
"Standing on a dramatic rocky headland overlooking the North Sea, the Castle of Old Wick is one of the most striking medieval remains in Caithness, a region located at the very northern tip of mainland Scotland. The surviving structure is a tall, four-storey tower rising above a deep rock-cut ditch, with earthworks extending inland. Locally nicknamed the "Old Man of Wick," the site is believed by tradition to have been founded by Earl Harald Maddadson in the 12th century."
"Its exposed coastal position has long made the castle vulnerable to harsh winds, salt spray, and storms rolling in from the North Sea, contributing to the ongoing erosion of its stonework. These environmental pressures made the recent inspections essential to ensure continued access for visitors. Sian Evans, Regional Visitor and Community Manager at HES, commented, "The 'Old Man of Wick' is one of Caithness' most striking medieval sites, a much-loved landmark for both locals and visitors, who I hope will enjoy visiting the site and exploring its history.""
The Castle of Old Wick has reopened after high-level masonry inspections and minor repairs carried out by Historic Environment Scotland. Specialist conservation teams performed tactile inspections in October, examining stonework by hand and using ropes and scaffolding to reach difficult areas. The work is part of the nationwide High-Level Masonry Programme launched in April 2022, which assesses historic structures with masonry over 1.5 metres to evaluate effects of age, original construction methods, climate, and location. The castle sits on a rocky headland as a four-storey tower above a rock-cut ditch; coastal exposure to wind, salt spray and storms accelerates erosion. These inspections support long-term repair and safe public access to the site.
#castle-of-old-wick #masonry-inspections #historic-environment-scotland #coastal-erosion #medieval-architecture
Read at Medievalists.net
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