Heritage quango boss jets off to New Zealand for nine weeks while tourist landmarks stay closed
dailyrecord.co.ukA heritage quango boss has jetted off to New Zealand for nine weeks while dozens of tourist attractions remain closed. Donella Steel, finance director at Historic Environment Scotland, is combining work and leave 11,000 miles away from the body’s Edinburgh HQ.
Lib Dem Finance spokesperson John Ferry said: “HES need to provide an urgent explanation as to what benefit taxpayers are getting from the finance director’s working holiday to New Zealand. “Scotland should be proud of its heritage but on this Scottish Government’s watch more and more services are being slashed or left inaccessible to the public.” HES cares for hundreds of historic properties across the country, including Edinburgh castle.
But it was reported in the summer that 67 landmarks were fully or partially closed, including Dumbarton Castle, which was where William Wallace was taken after his capture in 1305.
The closures have caused frustration to history buffs and families eager to sample Scotland’s rich history. It is understood Steel’s New Zealand trip was scheduled to start in late October, taking in Christmas and ending in early January.
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