Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the public body responsible for the stewardship of the nation’s most iconic heritage sites—including Edinburgh Castle—is facing a fresh wave of turmoil as it heads toward a high-stakes employment tribunal. The controversy marks yet another chapter in a series of scandals that have severely undermined the reputation of the organization in recent years.
The latest development involves a former senior HR manager who has launched legal action against the quango, alleging a toxic internal culture characterized by systemic racism, bullying, and institutional failure. In a 12-page statement submitted for the upcoming tribunal, the complainant, who left the organization in June, details a professional environment where senior staff members were shielded from accountability while those raising concerns were sidelined.
The former employee, an HR professional with 22 years of experience, described the situation as unlike anything she had encountered in her career. Her statement specifically alleges that two high-ranking figures attempted to interfere in an internal HR investigation regarding allegations of racism against the former operations director, Craig Mearns. The complainant further highlights a disturbing incident in which a senior staff member questioned whether she was acquainted with government minister Kaukab Stewart, based on the assumption that all Asian individuals know one another.
“All the above demonstrates a culture of trying to cover up or downplay serious allegations and investigation in HES of senior people by allowing poor, discriminatory behaviour and activity,” the statement reads. The document further contends that the executive team is subjected to significantly lower standards than the wider workforce, with the wellbeing of senior figures frequently prioritized over the victims of their alleged misconduct.
These claims arrive against a backdrop of ongoing instability at the quango. A 2025 report by the auditor general previously identified “unacceptable weaknesses” in the organization’s leadership, specifically noting a lack of robust policies to mitigate fraud risks. The body has also been embroiled in high-profile public controversies, including an internal racism row and reports of a senior leader being sanctioned for “twerking” in front of actor Martin Compston during an official engagement.
Addressing the new allegations, a spokesperson for Historic Environment Scotland stated that it would be inappropriate to comment on the specifics of ongoing legal proceedings. However, the organization sought to distance itself from claims that misconduct was disregarded. “HES rejects any suggestion that concerns of this nature were ignored,” the spokesperson said. “The allegations were examined through multiple stages of review and investigation and were considered through a number of formal processes. As an organisation, we remain committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive and safe working environment for all staff, and we take that responsibility very seriously.”
For the former employee, who stated that she felt “completely unsafe, exposed, vulnerable and anxious” during her tenure, the upcoming tribunal serves as a test of the organization’s transparency. Her testimony emphasizes an urgent need for the quango to address the disparities in its internal governance and to ensure that all staff, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or rank, are held to the standards expected of a public sector body tasked with the guardianship of Scotland’s history.
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