Exclusive:Allegations against ex-Historic Environment Scotland chair Hugh Hall revealed for the first time

The Scotsman can now reveal details of two separate complaints against Dr Hugh Hall, who stood down from the position unexpectedly in September.

Documents show concerns about the conduct of Dr Hall date back to early December 2023. The concerns include allegations of misuse of expenses, conflicts of interest, and the misuse of company equipment and property.

Dr Hall has denied all allegations, describing them as “spurious” and claimed he will be “vindicated when the commission concludes its investigations".

It comes after The Scotsman revealed HES chief executive Katerina Brown had been suspended amid claims she had created a “blame culture”, regularly cancelled meetings and been responsible for “gaslighting” other senior leaders.

Ms Brown was suspended from work in September, but brought back weeks later to sign off HES’s annual accounts.

It is alleged Dr Hall took staff out for a boozy meal at a restaurant connected to a board member at the taxpayer’s expense and printed off more than 6,000 personal documents on HES equipment, claiming mileage to the office to do so.

A Scottish Government insider said: "It is obvious that the previous chair's cabal didn't think twice before treating themselves to the full Bonnar's experience at the swanky Scott Hotel.

“Spending £70 on bottles of wine is bad enough, but to do it at a restaurant owned by an organisation so closely entwined with a board member of HES stinks. It's not as if there is a shortage of restaurants in Edinburgh.

“Everyone prints the odd document here and there, but for one person to print more than 6,000 copies is obscene .... each and every one of these complaints must be investigated properly."

READ MORE: Angus Robertson accused of 'throwing civil servant under bus' over Historic Scotland scandal

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson on Tuesday confirmed to MSPs that Dr Hall had been subject to a Scottish Government probe.

It is believed this investigation centred on two separate allegations but, Mr Robertson said, was “brought to an end” following the former chair’s decision to resign in September.

However, an investigation by the Ethical Standards Commissioner is believed to be ongoing, with as many as seven areas of concern being investigated.

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Central to the allegations is that Dr Hall organised a dinner for a retiring board member in December last year. At this dinner of 11 people, it is claimed a bill of £875 was originally charged to the public purse, including three bottles of wine at £69 each.

The cost of alcohol outweighed the cost of food at around £442. It is understood Dr Hall was asked to repay some of this money, which he then did.

The dinner was hosted at Bonnar’s restaurant at the Scott Hotel, which is owned by the University of Edinburgh Accommodation Ltd.

HES board member Gary Jebb was until recently the University of Edinburgh’s director of place. He was a registered director of the University of Edinburgh Accommodation Ltd between January 18, 2016, and May 31, 2024.

According to the HES register of declared interests, last updated in January 2025, he chaired that body.

It is further claimed Dr Hall used HES equipment to print more than 6,300 individual scans or copies of documents, the majority of which were believed to be personal or relating to his work at Glasgow Caledonian University.

In addition, it is alleged Dr Hall claimed mileage from the public purse to visit the office and print out these documents.

Other allegations include that he made requests to use the Edinburgh Castle tearoom and provided private parking on the castle esplanade for family and friends.

Dr Hall stepped down from the board of the heritage quango in September amid growing tensions and infighting inside the organisation.

The Scottish Government had told him he would not be reappointed for a second term.

He was previously a former managing director of audit services at Audit Scotland and ex-chair of Colleges Scotland before joining HES, which receives £74 million of public money each year to runs some of Scotland’s most important historic landmarks, including Edinburgh Castle and Linlithgow Palace.

A spokesman for the Ethical Standards Commissioner said: "I can confirm that we have received a complaint about Hugh Hall."

Dr Hall said: "I have no wish to comment on the leaked confidential document other than to say that I have provided a full response to the spurious allegations to the Ethical Standards Commission and I have every confidence that I will be vindicated when the commission concludes its investigations."

Edinburgh University declined to comment when contacted by The Scotsman.

Sir Mark Jones, the new chair of HES, last month addressed staff for the first time since taking up the post. He acknowledged “significant issues” around “organisational culture, staff wellbeing and racism” at the troubled quango.

Sir Mark has joined HES during a deeply bruising time for the organisation, which is recoiling from a number of damaging allegations over conduct of senior staff, the suspension of chief executive Katerina Brown and departures of high-level personnel.

Ms Brown returned to work from suspension late last month to review and sign off the quango’s annual accounts.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Following his appointment by the culture secretary, Sir Mark Jones’ priorities as chair are to ensure HES has the trust of the public and its partners.

“The Scottish Government will continue to support him in this endeavour to resolve the leadership and governance issues that have been raised."

Asked about the allegations against Dr Hall, a HES spokeswoman said: “We are unable to comment on any individual cases. However as a public body, all board members are appointed by Scottish ministers and subject to standards set out by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.”