About the Trust > What we do
There is no other organisation in Scotland with as wide remit to care for cultural, built and natural heritage.
We look after, explain and provide access to important structures ranging from the Neolithic era to the 20th Century, as well as battlefields pivotal to the course of history, Scotland’s most remote islands, cultural treasures, natural landscapes and all the wildlife they contain.
The National Trust for Scotland "helps shape our sense of place and identity."
Our responsibilities are on a grand scale:
- 130 properties of significant historic and architectural value, including castles, palaces, cottages, mills and great houses
- The new world-class Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
- 200,000 acres of countryside
- 46 Munros (Scottish mountains with a height over 3,000 ft {914.4 m})
- 394 miles of mountain footpaths
- More than 100,000 precious artefacts
- 35 major gardens
- 13,500 plant varieties
- Seven national nature reserves
- 45 sites of special scientific interest
- The United Kingdom’s only dual World Heritage Site (St Kilda)
- Over 400 islands and islets
- Over one million breeding seabirds
Everything we do is based on the following core purposes:
- Conservation
- Access
- Education
- Enjoyment
In fulfilling these purposes we are involved in a plethora of activities aimed at ensuring our Members and visitors have every opportunity to make the most of all of our properties and landscapes, including:
- Corporate hospitality
- Cruise holidays
- Events
- Holiday lets
- Long-term lets
- Restaurants
- Retail sales
- Tearooms/cafés
- Tours
- Weddings
A video Introduction to the National Trust for Scotland
