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Edinburgh Castle is one of hundreds of historic properties managed by HES(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
14:20, 11 Sep 2025Updated 14:28, 11 Sep 2025<\/p>\n
Edinburgh Castle is one of hundreds of historic properties managed by HES(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Historic Environment Scotland<\/a> (HES) is under mounting pressure today after bosses faced a probe from MSPs over why a director allegedly enjoyed a private dinner in a \u201cprestigious\u201d part of the capital’s landmark fortress.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The huge salary increases were signed off despite HES facing a \u00a33m funding shortfall this year – and admitting it is looking to make further savings and efficiencies.<\/p>\n The Record has previously revealed how the publicly-funded body – responsible for hundreds of Scotland’s ancient monuments<\/a> – was plunged into chaos following the sudden departure of its chairman last month.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Alison Turnbull, director of external relations at HES, said the pay hikes were “benchmarked against other public sector organisations in Scotland”.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Peter Mandelson revelations on Epstein friendship are ‘very uncomfortable’, says Anas Sarwar<\/a>READ MORE: Glasgow facing job losses and cuts to services over refugee homelessness crisis<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n 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?”<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Queen Anne Building \u2013 which he said could cost up to \u00a312,000 to hire.<\/p>\n The dinner, which Kerr described as being \u201cvery, very irregular\u201d, is said to have taken place on August 11 when the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was taking place.<\/p>\n He insisted it was a \u201cserious allegation of misconduct\u201d, adding it was \u201cessential\u201d that both HES and Angus Robertson, the Culture Secretary, now \u201cinvestigate it thoroughly\u201d.<\/p>\n Kerr said: \u201cHES receives \u00a374 million of taxpayers\u2019 money. It must be fully accountable for how it operates and its senior executives must be beyond reproach.\u201d<\/p>\n The dinner, which Mr Kerr described as being \u201cvery, very irregular\u201d, is said to have taken place on August 11 \u2013 when the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was taking place.<\/p>\n The Tory insisted it was a \u201cserious allegation of misconduct\u201d, adding it was \u201cessential\u201d that both HES and the Culture Secretary now \u201cinvestigate it thoroughly\u201d.<\/p>\n Kerr added: \u201cHES receives \u00a374 million of taxpayers\u2019 money. It must be fully accountable for how it operates and its senior executives must be beyond reproach.\u201d<\/p>\n Turnbull told him she was “not aware of this specific instance around this”. She told the committee: \u201cAll I can do, I can take it back and look into it and respond.”<\/p>\n