Dumbarton Castle is set to reopen to the public in the coming months following the completion of inspections by Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

Access restrictions were put in place at the visitor site in early 2022 as a safety precaution while HES introduced new measures to manage the impact of climate change on its heritage assets.

Upon the completion of some “necessary repairs and checks”, the castle is now expected to reopen by March.

HES' High Level Masonry programme assesses the impact on sites, as well as the deterioration caused by a number of other factors. These include the materials used in the building’s construction, as well as its age and physical location.

While not an issue unique to Scotland, HES is believed to be among the first to approach it in this way, with the results being shared with peer organisations.

Tactile inspections have been completed at 25 sites across Scotland since May 2022, and a further 13 are due for completion by this spring.

Depending on the scope of the task and the different characteristics of the building, work at the sites can take over a month.

The castle’s inspection took 20 days and was completed in late 2022.

Craig Mearns, director of operations at HES, said: “I am delighted to announce that we will soon be reopening Dumbarton Castle to visitors.

“We are working as quickly as we can to reopen our historic sites, and we appreciate the public’s patience while we undertake these necessary inspections and subsequent repairs.

“Dumbarton Castle is one of Scotland’s most important strongholds and climate change is another part of its long and varied history.

“We look forward to welcoming visitors back to the iconic site as soon as we have carried out the final checks and implemented any additional safety measures."

Once reopened, visitors will be able to explore the majority of the 800-year-old site, including the Governor’s House, the Guard House and Portcullis Arch, the French Prison, and the Wallace Tower.

Dumbarton Castle will be the latest site to reopen as part of the programme, with castles such as Doune, Burleigh, Dundonald, and St Andrew’s having already benefitted from the initiative.

Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie said: “This is long-awaited but welcome news that the jewel in our crown will be reopening in a matter of weeks.

"I am absolutely delighted as I am sure the people of Dumbarton will be.

"I have been in contact with both Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Government throughout the past year to push for this and I am pleased that the reopening has now been confirmed.

“Unfortunately the town will have missed out on vital tourism while the castle has been closed and I am keen to make sure that everything is done to encourage people to return and to attract more tourists to the area.

“I look forward to continued dialogue with Historic Environment Scotland to make sure that Dumbarton Castle continues to be maintained to a high standard and marketed to a wide audience so people from all over Scotland and beyond can enjoy this stunning piece of our history.”

Martin Docherty-Hughes, West Dunbartonshire MP, added: "Good news that Dumbarton Castle is set to reopen to the public.

"One of Scotland's most important historical landmarks."

To find out more about the inspection programme visit the HES website (historicenvironment.scot).