A Dundee councillor has launched a campaign to restore Broughty Ferry Castle’s floodlighting after more than a decade of it being out of order.
Councillor Craig Duncan wants the historic landmark to be illuminated in a similar way to Edinburgh Castle and Dundee’s V&A Museum to make Broughty Ferry more attractive to tourists.
Discussions are currently ongoing between Historic Environment Scotland, who own the castle, and Leisure and Culture Dundee.
Councillor Duncan said: “There is floodlighting infrastructure in place but it has not been working for more than a decade.
“Dundee is on the up but we must continually compete with other tourist destinations such as Edinburgh that, as residents will know, illuminates its castle.
“It would be both eye-catching and memorable if the Dundee waterfront had V&A Dundee at one end and Broughty Castle at the other both lit up to form a stunning vista to attract visitors and promote the city.
“I have been given a ballpark figure of how much it would cost, although I can’t reveal the figure just yet.
“I think it would be doable though. If the project gets given the go-ahead I’m sure we could do some sort of crowd-funding and get local businesses on board.
“I think the people of Broughty Ferry would support this.”
A spokeswoman from Historoc Environment Scotland said it was normally the organisation’s policy to floodlight properties, but that it was willing to work with local authorities and communities where there is interest.
She added: “We have been in discussion with Leisure and Culture Dundee and have provided advice on requirements for reinstating the floodlights at Broughty Castle.
“The castle is in the care of HES and is run by Leisure and Culture Dundee as a museum.
“We are very aware of the energy implications of such installations and our responsibilities in that regard.”
A spokesman from Leisure and Culture Dundee said the organisation could not comment at this stage.
