Scottish Castles Association

Historic Scotland have awarded £500,000 to Dean Castle, Kilmarnock for essential repairs as part of £1.7m of restoration funding across Scotland.

Dean Castle has a world-renowned collection of armour and musical instruments

The money will be used to make the building watertight and to replace fallen masonry. The castle, with its world-renowned collection of armour and musical instruments, is set in 200 acres of country park.

Dean Castle pictured at the turn of the last century

In receipt of £56,344 is Lamer Island Battery in Dunbar, pictured below. Built to defend the harbour from John Paul Jones it never saw action and was converted into a hospital for infectious diseases. This burned down when a bonfire was lit in honour of King Edward VIII.

Lamer Island Battery was built in 1781 to protect Dunbar Harbour

Other recipients are:

• Moat Brae House, Dumfries: £300,000
• Cambo Stables, Fife: £280.000
• Brugh Lodge, Shetland: £460,000
• Kirkhaven Hall, Glasgow: £112,000

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  Article by SCA member Brian McGarrigle