HISTORIC Environment Scotland has come under fire from the 500-mile walkers for independence group after the quango objected to their presence at Linlithgow Palace.
On the day that Historic Environment Scotland (HES) maintained its stance against the rally for independence in Holyrood Park, it emerged that once again the quango took action against the 500-milers – this time at Linlithgow Palace.
READ MORE: All Under One Banner Edinburgh rally to go ahead despite HES ban
Just days after the small group of pro-independence walkers were refused entry to Stirling Castle car park by HES staff on grounds that they were carrying out a “political” event, the same scenario emerged when the team visited Linlithgow Palace on Thursday.
Three officials, one of them apparently a manager, confronted the walkers, one of whom – Jim Stewart of Yes Kirriemuir – described what happened.
He said: “We had gone up to the Palace the previous evening just before 3.50pm and somebody shut the portcullis gates so we couldn’t get in.
“We decided to go back up at 10am on Thursday and just before we got to the gates three of their staff approached us and said we couldn’t come in because were carrying Saltires and wearing badges.
“We explained we were just going to take a couple of photographs, but they asked us to put away our saltires and take off our hi-vis vests.”
Photographer Dean Woodhouse took part in the walk.
He said: “They asked us to take off our hi-vis vests and we said no because they are part of our safety equipment. They then asked me to take off my badges. I refused.”
Stewart added: “We told them we had the right to roam on public land and we went to take pictures in front of the statue of Mary, Queen of Scots.
“We moved to take one last picture but the three of them came over and said ‘you have had your photographs, you will have to leave.’
“At Stirling Castle we thought it was just an official being a bit overzealous but now we know it’s a deliberate policy on the part of HES to clamp down on us.”
Woodhouse, who reached his home village of West Linton last night, added: “Apart from the incidents at Stirling and Linlithgow we have had a fantastic welcome everywhere we have gone.
“Today we have had people sounding their horns and cheering us in Fife and tomorrow we’ll be on the march at South Queensferry at 6am heading into Edinburgh for the march and rally. We’re told dozens of people will walk with us.”
“It’s been a long 500 miles but absolutely worth it.”
A spokeswoman for HES said: “We are aware that a group of the indy 500 mile walkers visited Linlithgow Palace yesterday. We would ask that if the group feel that they were treated unfairly by staff that they get in contact with us directly.”
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