В замке МакЛеллана в Шотландии открыли доступ к историческому залу и восстановили лестницу

There are now more areas to explore at MacLellan's Castle in Dumfries and Galloway. Alongside the kitchen and vaulted cellars on the first floor, visitors can now also head upstairs to explore the 16th century castle's historic great hall, home to a monumental fireplace with a stone lintel measuring almost four-metres-long. Behind the fireplace is a rare survival of a laird's lug – translating from Scots to 'lord's ear' - as hidden closet from which the master of the house could spy on his guests in the great hall. The completed conservation work focused on the castle’s south stair area, with decaying lintels restored with matching stone replacements. Repointing work was also carried out, as was the replacement of a missing crow step, part of the castle’s stair step style gable end design. READ MORE: Alan Carr bids to convert shed at his Scottish castle into cafe and shop Governments back Inverness Castle investment amid 25 job cuts New cocktail bar to open in vaults beneath historic Edinburgh building Rosie Thorp, District Visitor and Community Manager for Dumfries and Galloway at Historic Environment Scotland, said: "MacLellan's Castle is an iconic part of the Dumfries and Galloway landscape which continues to play a vital role in the local community, so I'm thrilled to be announcing increased access to the site's interiors. "Traditional skills such as stonemasonry have played a vital part in getting us to this stage, employing specialist techniques to conserve the site with minimal impact. Our stonemasons sourced sandstone that closely matched the site’s original stone, using the same techniques to dress the material as used by the castle’s original builders. "This work conserves MacLellan's Castle heritage and ensures it can continue to be enjoyed today and for many more centuries to come." MacLellan’s Castle is named after its first owner, Sir Thomas MacLellan, Provost of Kirkcudbright. Sir Thomas began building a house on this site in Kirkcudbright after acquiring land belonging to the convent of Greyfriars following the Protestant Reformation in 1560. By 1582, the castle was complete enough for Sir Thomas to move in. Five years later, he and his second wife, Lady Grissel, entertained James VI in what was a stylish and spacious townhouse. By the 18th century the home had been abandoned, eventually entering state care in 1912. Historic Environment Scotland said some internal areas of the castle remain closed while vital conservation work is ongoing.