The local MSP for Dumbarton has called for "more investment" in the town's castle.
Jackie Baillie asked the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson on Thursday, November 19 about the current investment process.
She asked whether the Scottish Government considered Dumbarton Castle an important cultural asset, during General Questions and also invited Mr Robertson to the site.
The politician also queried why the site previously received less money than sites such as Stirling and Edinburgh castles.
She told the Chamber: “Dumbarton Castle doesn’t receive even a tenth of the money going to Edinburgh Castle or Stirling Castle, scaffolding has been up for years and the castle is sometimes closed for no apparent reason.
"Its collection is scattered to other castles across Scotland. Its importance in Scottish history is not in any doubt – home to Kings and Queens, including James the fourth of Scotland and Mary, Queen of Scots - the longest recorded history of any stronghold in Scotland.
"There is not a single mention of Dumbarton Castle in the Historic Environment Scotland Annual Report for 23/24, so what will the Cabinet Secretary do to ensure that Dumbarton Castle is restored to its former glory and I wonder, presiding officer, whether I could invite him to come on a visit.”
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Mr Robertson advised that Historic Environment Scotland, which oversees Scotland’s cultural and historical assets, has been allocated more than £74 million in the Scottish Government’s 2025/26 budget.
He also confirmed that he would be willing to take up the Labour politicians’ invitation to visit Dumbarton Castle.
Ms Baillie also used a recent event staged by Historic Environment Scotland in the Scottish Parliament to discuss the need for greater investment in Dumbarton’s historic castle.
The MSP also outlined the disappointment of visitors who call at Dumbarton’s historic rock, only to find scaffolding in place and the castle closed.
The castle is integral to plans to regenerate the town – which includes West Dunbartonshire Council’s £7.2 million project to transform Glencairn House into a library and museum – and could play a pivotal role in housing some of Dumbarton’s collection of artefacts.
Baillie added: “Dumbarton castle is an important cultural and historical asset – both for Dumbarton and for the nation.
“Angus Robertson confirmed that the Scottish Government is aware of that in the Chamber, so it is now up to the Scottish Government to put its money where its mouth is and invest in the Rock.
“Currently, Dumbarton Castle receives less than a tenth of the funding allocated to Edinburgh Castle and its counterpart in Stirling.
“That needs to change, it is important that sites such as Dumbarton – which are often overlooked – receive the same support.”
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