Pull the plug on Corgarff Castle floodlighting
The December issue of Leopard had an interesting article on Historic Scotland’s good work in weather-proofing Corgarff Castle, a striking building that is well worth conserving.
I write to ask whether Historic Scotland would consider removing floodlighting at Corgarff Castle and Ruthven Barracks in Badenoch. Many find floodlights an affront to the setting of historic buildings. It is incongruous to see Corgarff Castle bathed in harsh orange and white lights, like a lurid fairground.
This folly was installed by Gordon Enterprise Trust in 1995, using taxpayers’ money. The trust’s project manager Bill Marshall was reported in August 1995 asserting, “The floodlighting will emphasise the important strategic position of Corgarff”. The castle was in the care of Historic Scotland, also funded by the taxpayer. Their Corgarff custodian Guy Paget was reported as claiming, “We are delighted to have worked with Gordon Enterprise on this initiative to light up Corgarff”.
Obviously both of them ignored much publicity in 1993 about schemes that Disneyfied and suburbanised the Braemar area, paid with taxpayers’ money by Grampian Regional Council and other publicly-funded bodies, and driven ahead in the teeth of local opposition. The taxpayer still pays for annual ‘maintenance’ of these twee ‘environmental improvements’. Many now look tawdry, and also ugly, from herbicides sprayed on native plants colonising the tacky little gardens. A resident described one ‘environmental improvement’ that cost £80,000 at Crathie as, “A’ve nivver seen sik expensive dockens!”
There is much stress on the need to cut energy waste because of the threat of climatic change, to avoid light pollution because it spoils and obstructs the beauty of starlit skies, and to end unnecessary spending of taxpayers’ money.
So how about it, Historic Scotland? Respect your name and Corgarff’s ancient dignity. Pull the plug!
Adam Watson,
Crathes, Banchory