Thursday, 04 November 2010
Fiona Hyslop MSP for Lothians raised Linlithgow’s Star and Garter Hotel in the Scottish Parliament yesterday.(Thursday, 4th Nov)
She was speaking about the importance of Scotland Historical Environment as the Government Minister responsible for Historic Scotland.
Fiona told the chamber,
“The role that the historic environment plays in providing the people of Scotland with a sense of place has been brought home to me in rather stark fashion in recent weeks with the damage, through fire, of the Star and Garter Hotel in my home town of Linlithgow.”
Fiona described the B listed Georgian building as having a sense of place and identity for the people of Linlithgow and welcomed the fact that Historic Scotland indicated that the Star and Garter does not need to be demolished following the fire that took hold of the hotel last month.
Fiona also said,
“The Star and Garter Hotel has adorned the east end of the town since the middle of the 18th century and was an iconic building in Linlithgow’s townscape.
“The reaction to the fire has demonstrated the prominence played by this listed building in helping to define the physical character of Linlithgow High Street and the obvious connection with the sense of place felt by the people who live here.
“I am pleased that Historic Scotland have indicated that the building need not be demolished. Historic buildings such as the Star and Garter gives us all a strong sense of heritage.
“I give my best wishes and support to the owner of the hotel and his commitment to the rebuild for the historic shell.”