Update on Broughton House Kirkcudbright

[Andrew Turney]

I mentioned last month that we were shocked that the National Trust for Scotland had erected scaffolding on Broughton House to facilitate the external painting of the building even though there were swifts present in 2 possibly 3 nest sites and compromising another nest site close by on an adjoining property … after considerable effort I managed to negotiate the removal of the scaffolding close to the nest sites. We were pleased that this happened before the young fledged.
I am hopeful that before too long we will have detailed conversations with senior property managers within the National Trust for Scotland to ensure that they update their systems to ensure that this does not happen at any of their properties.
Bw
Andrew

[alofanglia]

Well done good work!
Alistair
Sent from my iPhone

> On 3 Aug 2026, at 20:17, Andrew Turney <andrew...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I mentioned last month that we were shocked that the National Trust for Scotland had erected scaffolding on Broughton House to facilitate the external painting of the building even though there were swifts present in 2 possibly 3 nest sites and compromising another nest site close by on an adjoining property … after considerable effort I managed to negotiate the removal of the scaffolding close to the nest sites. We were pleased that this happened before the young fledged.

> I am hopeful that before too long we will have detailed conversations with senior property managers within the National Trust for Scotland to ensure that they update their systems to ensure that this does not happen at any of their properties.
> Bw
> Andrew
>

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[Heidi Collishaw]

Well done Andrew.  Hopefully you'll be able to continue dialogue with NT, and swifts will be respected and kept safe.

Regards

Heidi

[Peta Sams]

Well done - why is always such a battle?  Even with NTS who are one of your partners at another site. Everyone claims to be 'wildlife friendly' until work/money gets involved.  Good that you manage to rescue this from near disaster for the young birds.

[Cally Smith Huntly & District Swift Group]

Well done Andrew!

Unfortunately we are having no joy with NTS on a number of counts.  They have pretty much refused to communicate with us on a very significant swift colony on one of their castles.  I am not best pleased with them i can tell you.  If there is any way what you have managed to agree upon can influence the people in question here then maybe we can chat at some point.

Cally

[johnswilson.15921]

Following recent comments, I suggest there is a need to avoid any unjustified general conclusion about “NT/NTS” - which are separate organisations – without experience on which to base a view.  The lack of knowledge of individual staff is undoubtedly frustrating and surely is what needs to be overcome.  Cally has commented on distressing experience with the National Trust for Scotland and there should indeed be an expectation of a receptive response, for there are castles in Aberdeenshire where Swift bricks could unobtrusively be installed.  Nevertheless, there is action it is worth recalling,

It was at a National Trust for Scotland property that there was a significant early example in Scotland of installation of Swift nest boxes.   At Culzean Castle in Ayrshire, in the 1990s, restoration of the masonry resulted in the filling of a lot of the nooks and crannies which had previously been used as nesting sites by Swifts.  At the instigation of the ranger, Gordon Riddle, the National Trust for Scotland retained holes in the building known to be used by Swifts for nesting as well as installing purpose-built Swift boxes.  As the castle is an A-listed building, the project involved close consultation with Historic Scotland which subsequently issued its own advice to architects on Swift conservation.  I saw the Swift nest boxes on the stables block at Culzean Castle on 24 June 2009.

That action, as well as earlier meaningful action at Broughton House in Kirkcudbright, is recognised on Clare Darlaston’s website: https://concernforswifts.com/successful-swift-conservation-projects   I recall from a visit to Kirkcudbright in May 2007 the experience of Swifts flying along the streets of two-storey houses.

To add another case, Historic Scotland began, before 2000, restoration of Stanley Mills, Perthshire, an 18th-century cotton mill built at a hairpin bend in the River Tay.  As part of the restoration, gaps and small holes were left in the top level of stonework in order to preserve access for Swifts.  Liaison between Historic Scotland, its project architect and Concern for Swifts (Scotland) led to the “Swifts in Historic Buildings” Advice Note being written.  Stanley Mills was included as a case study in the Tayside Biodiversity Action Plan (Tayside information at: https://www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk/get-involved/projects/projects-swifts/)

There is a Scottish Government Biodiversity Circular of December 2025   https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-planning-guidance-biodiversity/documents/ which should be read supplemented by specific guidance, such as:https://www.swift-conservation.org/2017_SNH_Swift_Best_Practice_Advice_Note-2.pdf   

Guidance exists.  Contact with relevant organisations can and should draw attention to it.

John Wilson

[Cally Smith]

Thanks John

I will certainly take a fresh look at the guidance notes one of which i am aware of.  SNH is now Nature Scot. Nature Scot who state that 'swift bricks have separate access for maintenance'.  https://www.nature.scot/doc/developing-nature-guidance   Measure 13 - Homes for small birds

They also state further down the document under ;future management; that 'swift bricks require annual cleaning'.

I did notice NatureScot do have a link to 'Swift Conservation'.  I think an email to Nature Scot to address a couple of issues is needed :)

What is needed is a brand new informed guidance on swifts and house martins to be referred to across National Trust and National Trust Scotland.  These projects should never be at the mercy of one knowledgeable member of staff or because there is a swift group nearby on watch, which seems to be the case.  Built Heritage also could do with some guidance.

Cally

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