Green light for new Maeshowe visitor centre

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) have been given the go ahead to make alterations to the former West Mainland Day Care Centre, meaning it will be ready to serve as the new visitor centre for Maeshowe at the start of this summer’s tourist season.

In January, HES applied for planning permission to convert the former day centre, in Stenness, with improvements needed at the car park as well as with on-site signage.

In September last year, HES announced the “temporary” closure of Maeshowe due to safety concerns stemming from the use of the former visitor centre at Tormiston Mill, across the road from the chambered cairn.

With the closure lasting only three days, OIC’s policy and resources committee offered the day care centre to HES for the sum of £1 a year — an offer that was later rescinded, with councillors agreeing that the lease should be charged at the going commercial rate — just over £6,000 a year — for the next two years.