Culture chiefs are facing growing pressure to relocate a collection of Crieff’s most important historical artefacts.
Local history campaigner Ian Hamilton believes the public is not getting a fair chance to see the three monuments at their present home in the old town hall.
A public vote was held on where the items – the Mercat cross, the town’s punishment stocks and the Pictish burgh cross – should be kept.
But Mr Hamilton said promised visitor arrangements, which were meant to allow access to the pieces 22 hours a week, have not been met.
He said opening hours were reduced to 17 hours a week, and then, to just nine.
Recently-installed council chief executive Karen Reid, in a letter to Mr Hamilton, said: “It is clear that Culture Perth and Kinross and the council originally planned that public access to the Crieff monuments would be more extensive than has been proved possible, despite extensive efforts made by both organisations.”
She added: “I would like to apologise for the disparity between the hours which were envisaged and those which have proved possible.”
>>24 Days of Christmas – Click here for special festive deals from some of our favourite local businesses
Mr Hamilton wants Culture Perth and Kinross, which is responsible for the treasures, to move them to the Strathearn Community Campus instead.
He said: “This whole issue has become a total farce, resulting in a series of continuing fudges which have denied honest, democratic debate in Crieff.
“The alternative location for the Crieff monuments (Strathearn campus) is fully staffed by five Culture Perth and Kinross employees and would require no additional overheads after installation costs of the monuments.
“Perth and Kinross Council and Culture Perth and Kinross should instigate a further public consultation, providing all the facts and an open analysis of the corporate failings with regard to town hall access and marketing of the monuments.”
He estimated it will cost around £20,000 to move the items into the campus.
A spokesman for Culture Perth and Kinross said: “We remain committed to working with partners in the Crieff and Strathearn area to support access to the monuments.”
He said a report on the monuments had been made available on the group’s website.
The spokesman added: “The views of the local community were sought in December 2015 as part of a public consultation which identified a preference for keeping the monuments in the Town Hall and the report recognises how this can continue to be maintained within the existing resources of Culture Perth and Kinross.”
