Historic Scotland has appointed Scottish fitout and maintenance contractor Morris & Spottiswood for its ambitious project to conserve the Royal Palace at Stirling Castle and to present it in its Renaissance glory.

The go-ahead for the Stirling Palace Project, and the culmination of many years of conservation and restoration work at Stirling Castle, was announced in June 2008. £12m is being invested by Historic Scotland including funding of £3m granted by the Scottish Government.

Following the appointment of Morris & Spottiswood, works will commence on-site on 2nd September. Scheduled for completion in 2011, the Stirling Palace Project involves the conservation and refurbishment of the Royal Lodgings to present them as they might have appeared in the heyday of Scotland's Stewart court. The apartments will be furnished in the style of the mid 16th century, and extensive historical and archaeological research has been undertaken to ensure the interior decoration, as well as the materials and craftsmanship used, are as authentic as possible.

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The contract won by Morris & Spottiswood, which is worth £4.8m, comprises three key sections of works. Section one, the main Palace contract, will be completed in January 2010. It covers conservation, refurbishment and maintenance works to all areas of the Palace and the Old Chapel, including the Palace Vaults where there will be an interpretative display on the court of James V.

It also includes the creation of a Renaissance Gallery on the upper floors of the Palace which will house the original Stirling Heads, a rare group of intricately carved oak ceiling medallions depicting kings, queens, courtiers and mythological creatures.

Section two of the contract comprises 12 works in the King’s Old Building, entailing refurbishment of toilet facilities and installation of services. Section three covers site attendance on the fitting out, painting and furnishing of the Palace and Gallery.

Morris & Spottiswood Business Unit Head, Tony Ward, said: "We are delighted to have been appointed principal contractor for this key stage of the Stirling Palace Project. This is a site of great historical importance and therefore a very prestigious project to be involved in. In addition, there are several challenges which make it a very interesting project."

Chris Watkins, head of Historic Scotland's major projects team, said: "We have already completed a great deal of important conservation and interpretation work at Stirling Castle and this last phase, to present the interior of James V's magnificent Palace as it might have appeared in the mid 16th century, is the most ambitious.

"We will not only be conserving the Palace as a monument of international importance but also presenting and interpreting the Royal Lodgings, the life of the Royal Court and the superb Renaissance carvings."

(GK/JM)