Questions about the pace of restoration masonry work at Linlithgow Palace surfaced at Holyrood after one side of the historic site remained wrapped in scaffolding for around four years.
Scottish Labour MSP Jenny Young asked Historic Environment Scotland Interim Chief Executive Stephen Uphill for an update during a meeting of the Culture Committee. Uphill did not provide a specific timeline for when the scaffolding will come down.
Uphill said progress on the restoration masonry work has been impacted by COVID-19 and funding challenges. He told the committee that HES is prioritizing work on “high-level assets,” including Linlithgow Palace. He also said he would write to Young with more detailed information about the status of the project.
Young said locals are frustrated by how long the scaffolding has remained. She pointed to the palace’s role in the town’s identity and said she expects more information in writing from HES, which she plans to share with constituents once received.
For mason contractors watching heritage and public-facing restoration projects, the story is a reminder that long-duration access and protection measures quickly become part of the public narrative. When scaffolding stays up for years, clear phasing, visible milestones, and steady communication with owners and stakeholders matter as much as the workmanship itself. COVID-19 disruptions and funding uncertainty can reshape schedules, so restoration teams benefit from building realistic sequences and documenting progress in a way owners can share with the community.
Read the full, original article from The Edinburgh Reporter here.