A row has escalated at Edinburgh Castle between the castle’s operators and city residents after heritage bosses won a battle to install solar panels on Edinburgh Castle in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint, reports The Herald Scotland.
image: for illustration purposes only – Fiona Newton
… monument generated an ‘incredible’ amount of energy, amounting to as much carbon as nearly 350 average UK homes…
The Herald Scotland writes:
It is one of the most iconic landmarks of Scotland, recognised around the world.
And out with the pandemic, Edinburgh Castle regularly draws millions of visitors each year.
Now a row has escalated between the castle’s operators and city residents after heritage bosses won a battle to install solar panels on Edinburgh Castle in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint.
Plans were unveiled last month to place the panels on the roof of the Scottish National War Memorial building at the historic site.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES), who manage the property, took action after they found the famous monument generated an “incredible” amount of energy, amounting to as much carbon as nearly 350 average UK homes would generate per year.
However, the move prompted opposition from local conservation group the Cockburn Association who said the solar panels would reduce the castle’s “significance and interest”.
The works involve installation of photovoltaic panels on the roof of the memorial building and cabling, which will run from the roof into the Palace Block, and help power the castle complex.
The City of Edinburgh Council have now said that, because the panels will only be visible from the air, the project can go ahead.
The council deemed the proposed work “not development”….
The Scottish National War Memorial was built between 1924-7, designed as the nation’s tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives during the First World War.
Situated at the core of the castle complex, close to the summit of castle rock, the site has long been an important location within the heart of the castle.
The earliest known structure on the site was the ‘great chapel’ or St Mary’s Church, known to have been in existence from at least the 14th century….
….The number of visitors to Edinburgh Castle fell to a low of 277,000 in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. Prior to this , visitor numbers reached over 2.2 million visits in 2019.
