Following the decision of Scottish ministers earlier this year to accept the reporter's recommendation following a Public Local Inquiry not to grant scheduled monument consent for the restoration of Castle Tioram 66 representations have been received.

In evidence to the Public Local Inquiry, Historic Scotland stated that it believed the appropriate conservation strategy was to secure it as a consolidated ruin and restore year-round public access.

Representatives of Historic Scotland met representatives of Castle Tioram on four occasions prior to the recent public inquiry.

The owners of Castle Tioram have lodged an appeal with the Court of Session on a point of law. However, officials in Historic Scotland would be happy to discuss long-term conservation measures with them if an approach was made.

In his report following the Public Local Inquiry the reporter found that the castle was inherently strong but concluded that without major consolidation work the risk of further collapse in five to 10 years was significant. Under section 5 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, if it appears to Scottish ministers that any works are urgently necessary for the preservation of a scheduled monument, they may enter the site of the monument and execute those works after giving the owner and the occupier notice in writing of their intention to do so. Such powers would be exercised on behalf of Scottish ministers by Historic Scotland. There are currently no plans to exercise these powers in respect of Castle Tioram.

Under section 5 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, if it appears to Scottish ministers that any works are urgently necessary for the preservation of a scheduled monument, they may enter the site of the monument and execute those works after giving the owner and the occupier notice in writing of their intention to do so. Such powers would be exercised on behalf of Scottish ministers by Historic Scotland. There are currently no plans to exercise these powers in respect of Castle Tioram.

Historic Scotland has recently refreshed its website and is currently extending the range of publications on it. This includes the framework document which is now available on the website.

The framework document reflects the responsibility of Historic Scotland to discharge statutory functions of Scottish ministers. The framework document will be revised to reflect the fact that Historic Scotland no longer fulfils the departmental sponsorship function in respect of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.The Education, Culture and Sport Committee have asked Scottish ministers to review the roles and responsibilities of Historic Scotland in their response to the Public Appointments (Scotland) Bill. Ministers are considering this request and will be responding in advance of the Stage 2 discussions on the bill.

No. Historic Scotland is directly accountable to Scottish ministers and, through them, to this Parliament. However, ministers are currently considering ways in which independent advice on the built heritage and the discharge of functions relating to it might be most appropriately obtained.

Historic Scotland is an agency of the Scottish Executive, within the Education Department, acting on behalf of Scottish ministers. Officials of Historic Scotland are civil servants of the Scottish Executive and directly accountable to me through the Chief Executive.Scottish ministers can request that officials of Historic Scotland seek ministerial agreement to decisions which can be made under delegated powers.