The Record previously revealed how the public body responsible for the country’s ancient monuments was plunged into chaos following the sudden departure of its chairman last month.

14:20, 11 Sep 2025Updated 14:28, 11 Sep 2025

Edinburgh Castle is one of hundreds of historic properties managed by HES(Image: Getty Images)

Fat cats at the country’s biggest heritage organisation handed themselves a whopping 18 per cent pay rise as they face questions over a private dinner at Edinburgh Castle.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is under mounting pressure today after bosses faced a probe from MSPs over why a director allegedly enjoyed a private dinner in a “prestigious” part of the capital’s landmark fortress.

Members of the Scottish Parliament’s culture committee also heard how the quango introduced a new pay and grading framework in April which sees staff on the highest band handed pay rises between 16 and 18 per cent.

The huge salary increases were signed off despite HES facing a £3m funding shortfall this year – and admitting it is looking to make further savings and efficiencies.

The Record has previously revealed how the publicly-funded body – responsible for hundreds of Scotland’s ancient monuments – was plunged into chaos following the sudden departure of its chairman last month.

And we told how a whistleblower claimed HES board members “walk around like they own our castles” while ignoring complaints from rank-and-file staff.

Alison Turnbull, director of external relations at HES, said the pay hikes were “benchmarked against other public sector organisations in Scotland”.

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Labour MSP Neil Bibby said: “Clearly, it’s a challenging period. You’re having to put in place measures in terms of efficiency. Money’s tight. You’ve got around 1,800 staff.

“With this in mind, why did HES agree a new pay and grading framework in April of this year that will see a new top grade – presumably for directors – have their earnings potentially increase between 16 and 18 per cent.”

Turnbull replied: “The pay and grading was factored into our budget. And what happened is this was externally conducted and it was benchmarked against other public sector organisations in Scotland.”

Bibby said: “You would understand why people would raise eyebrows at an organisation being in financial difficulties, while also at the same time increasing directors’ pay by up to 18 per cent?”

Turnbull said: “It looks to resolve a few issues we’ve had in terms of allowances and supplements. It was about fairer pay across the piece.”

MSP Stephen Kerr told the committee a “number of people” had brought to his attention that an unnamed director and a companion had dinner in the historic castle’s Queen Anne Building – which he said could cost up to £12,000 to hire.

The dinner, which Kerr described as being “very, very irregular”, is said to have taken place on August 11 when the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was taking place.

He insisted it was a “serious allegation of misconduct”, adding it was “essential” that both HES and Angus Robertson, the Culture Secretary, now “investigate it thoroughly”.

Kerr said: “HES receives £74 million of taxpayers’ money. It must be fully accountable for how it operates and its senior executives must be beyond reproach.”

The dinner, which Mr Kerr described as being “very, very irregular”, is said to have taken place on August 11 – when the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was taking place.

The Tory insisted it was a “serious allegation of misconduct”, adding it was “essential” that both HES and the Culture Secretary now “investigate it thoroughly”.

Kerr added: “HES receives £74 million of taxpayers’ money. It must be fully accountable for how it operates and its senior executives must be beyond reproach.”

Turnbull told him she was “not aware of this specific instance around this”. She told the committee: “All I can do, I can take it back and look into it and respond.”

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