Historical sites across the north-east will be given a facelift in the coming years as a major conservation effort is launched.
Aberdeenshire Council is responsible for maintaining the condition of hundreds of ancient structures, whether it be kirkyards, stone circles or monuments.
There are 499 historical assets in the local authority area, including 101 in Banff and Buchan, 71 in Buchan, 68 in Formartine, 62 in Garioch, 126 in Marr and 72 in Kincardine and Mearns.
Priority projects to be carried out have been highlighted for the next year, including repairing the Macduff Cross viewing platform and St John’s Church in Gamrie.
They have sat at the top of the historic asset management project (HAMP) priority list for the past five years, assessed as assets with the “greatest need for repairs due to the significant health and safety risks associated with both sites”.
Depending on the impact of coronavirus, it is also hoped that repair work at St Mary’s Kirkyard in Banff can go forward, as well as on the Elphinstone Aisle at Kildrummy Old Churchyard.
Additional sources of funding may need to be found to take forward certain repairs, as some projects might cost more than budgets allow.
The Garioch area committee will convene on Tuesday to enable members to hear an update on the management of the historic sites.
A report to councillors reads: “There are over 500 non-operational historic assets in council ownership on the historic asset management project list, including church ruins, historic churchyards, commemorative towers and fountains, war memorials, Pictish carved stones, stone circles and castle ruins.
“All assets were first surveyed between 2014 and 2015, with their repair needs prioritised on health and safety criteria.
“The project’s key focus is to continue to organise repairs and maintenance based on this prioritised list.”
The report’s author adds: “The HAMP project officer is therefore actively seeking external funding sources that might assist.”
The team has also been placing a number of new information boards at historic sites across the north-east.
They hope to reach more in the future, including at Braemar Kirkyard
the Inverurie Pictish Stones and the Observatory at Drinnies Wood.
