Council offers former day centre as a base for Maeshowe visitors
The recommendation was made at yesterday’s OIC policy and resources committee.
A report into the recent temporary closure by Historic Environment Scotland of Maeshowe – one of Orkney’s premier tourist attractions – asked councillors to ‘support a proposal to reopen Maeshowe involving use of the former West Mainland Day Centre, Stenness, as an interim operational base’, and to begin the processes of considering a possible future World Heritage Gateway Centre.
Council representatives met with the acting HES Chief Executive earlier this month to put forward the option, days after the council was informed of the imminent closure.
Tuesday’s report to committee was initially included on the agenda as a report to be held in private, however councillors asked that it be heard in public, on the basis that it was of great public interest and concerned joint working between two public bodies – Historic Environment Scotland and Orkney Islands Council.
Members also agreed that the director of development and infrastructure should initiate work with partners, including HES, to establish a joint approach to developing a strategic ‘master plan’ for considering infrastructure and development of a potential World Heritage Gateway Centre. A report on this work is planned for early 2017.
HES have indicated that they could operate from the former West Mainland Day Centre before the start of the summer tourist season in 2017.
The committee’s recommendations will now go to full council on October 11.
Full details in The Orcadian on Thursday.