Maeshowe plans ‘less than ideal’, says MSP

While welcoming the plans to re-open Maeshowe this week, Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has described the solution as “less than ideal.”

Last week, Mr McArthur raised concerns over the closure with the culture secretary in Holyrood, describing her response as “optimistic”.

He is now due to meet with HES’  chief executive, Alex Paterson, to take local concerns forward.

“While news that Maeshowe is to be re-opened to the public is, of course, very welcome the solution that has been put in place is less than ideal. It will be more logistically challenging for those wishing to visit the site and may even prove impractical for some.

“It is imperative, therefore, that ongoing discussions between Historic Environment Scotland and the local council identify a sustainable, long term solution as soon as possible.

“Orkney’s tourism sector urgently needs more than a ‘mend and make do’ arrangement for enabling access to this key, critically important site.

“I plan to meet with HES’ new chief executive, Alex Paterson, in the near future to reinforce this point.”