A COUNCIL-RUN charity tasked with the upkeep of a historic property in Edinburgh has come under scrutiny from watchdogs. The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) is looking into concerns relating to the governance and decision-making of Lauriston Castle Trust. Local campaigners have previously raised fears over the condition of parts of the estate and the management of an endowment fund. A spokeswoman for OSCR confirmed it is engaging with the council as the sole charity trustee, but said it would not be appropriate to comment further. Perched close to the shores of the Firth of Forth, Lauriston Castle dates back to the late 16th century and is described as a hidden gem by VisitScotland. An earlier castle fell victim to the Burning of Edinburgh by English forces in 1544.
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image captionHistoric England used ground-penetrating radar to reveal the gardens under Belhus Park golf course
The remains of 17th Century gardens have been discovered under the fairway of a golf course in Essex.
Historic England carried out research at Belhus Park in Thurrock after volunteers found early Tudor and Jacobean features at the site.
The grounds of the former Belhus Park estate have been on the Heritage at Risk Register since 2018.
Christopher Laine, from Historic England, said the area was a designed landscape of great historic interest .
He added the discovery of the gardens would help conserve this important heritage for current and future generations .
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Concerns over the loss of Townscape Protection Area status in parts of Milngavie
They include the Review’s recommendation to withdraw Local Garden and Designed Landscape status from the rural periphery of Mains Estate to the north west of Milngavie and also Tannoch Loch/ Barloch Moor area.
The MHC Group says the Review completely ignores the historical significance of these two areas to the development of Milngavie and the pleasure that these natural environments give to the local community.
The Group is also disturbed that both the Keystone Road/ Avenue area and the Ferguson Avenue/Balvie Road area are set to lose their Townscape Protection Area status ( TPA ). This was a Council designation awarded to these areas in the past because of their historical significance and distinctive architectural features.