NEWS

If endorsed by the Trust’s membership, Lord Lindsay would formally take up his new role at the Trust’s 2012 AGM to be held in Edinburgh on 22 September. He will succeed Richard, 10th Duke of Buccleuch and 12th Duke of Queensberry, who has been the President of the National Trust for Scotland since 2002.

Lord Lindsay is currently Chairman of SAC (Scottish Agricultural College), UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) and the British Polythene Pension Scheme. He is also a Non-Executive Director at Scottish Resources Group Ltd. (SRG) and BPI plc, an Associate Director of the National Non-Food Crops Centre and a Member of the Advisory Board of Business and a Sustainable Environment (BASE).

He has taken a long and active interest in rural Scotland, including fulfilling a number of senior roles in the Public, Private and NGO sectors. From 1995 -1997, he was the Scottish Minister with responsibility for agriculture, forestry, environmental protection, countryside, sustainable development and culture. Since then he has had a number of government appointments relating to his rural interests. He has served on the board of commercial companies and organisations including UA Group plc, Assured British Meat, Genesis Quality Assurance Ltd and Scottish Quality Salmon.

He is also a Vice President of RSPB and between 1998 and 2003 was Chairman of RSPB Scotland. He is Chairman of the Moorland Forum, President of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, Vice President of the International Tree Foundation and the Royal Smithfield Club, and was a recent President of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.

Sir Kenneth Calman, Chairman of the National Trust for Scotland said:

“Jamie Lindsay has an unrivalled breadth of expertise in terms of Scotland’s environmental heritage. He combines commercial acumen with direct experience of policy-making and governance, and I have no doubt that he will be an ideal ambassador for the Trust as we move forward in delivering our new strategy.

“I’ve met Jamie on many occasions and can attest to his commitment to conservation and his sense of responsibility for the treasures entrusted to us from our nation’s shared heritage and culture.”

Staff are keen to revamp and resurrect a train set believed to date from the late 1940s which was once owned by David Gordon, 4th Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair who gifted Haddo House (and the train set) to the conservation charity in 1978.

Property Manager Julie Lorimer said:

“The set has not been working for some time and is in need of some serious expert attention. It is a beautiful piece and we know that David Gordon was very fond of it, reminding us that however grand, Haddo House was a vibrant family home.

“If we can get the railway running smoothly again, we have some exciting plans for incorporating it into the visitor experience here at the house.

“We are looking for experts who can help us restore this beautiful piece to working order and bring another part of Haddo’s history back to life.”

For more information about the set and how you can help, please contact Julie Lorimer on 0844 493 2179/ jlorimer@nts.org.uk.

Haddo House is one of Scotland's grandest stately homes, located just 19 miles from Aberdeen. It's a wonderful combination of crisp Georgian architecture and sumptuous Victorian interiors, surrounded by a terrace garden leading to a beautiful country park. It re-opens to the public for guided tours on 6 April. The gardens and grounds are open daily.

When construction work for the new centre at Bannockburn is confirmed, it will create an unrivalled experience for the thousands of people who visit the battle ground every year while affording dignity to this important historic site.

Ground-breaking technology will be used to give visitors a true sense of the battle, from the social history of the time to medieval war craft. People will be able to interact with 3D digital images as never before, experiencing graphics which will respond with movement and commentary. Visitors will also have the chance to play their part in the battle and apply their newly-acquired knowledge of tactics and weaponry to influence the outcome.

Key battlefield monuments will be repaired and the setting improved, including the A-listed rotunda that is located at the site of the historic Borestone, where Robert the Bruce raised his standard at the start of the battle. The landscape will also be enhanced to re-establish important historic views, such as to Stirling Castle, which was the objective of the battle.

The Battle of Bannockburn is one of the most significant battles fought on British soil. It took place on the 23-24 June 1314 between the armies of Robert the Bruce and Edward II and resulted in victory for Bruce against overwhelming odds. It was a defining event in Scottish history.

Jenny Abramsky, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said:

“This is a ground-breaking project for Scotland and for the heritage sector. With this new facility, Bannockburn will be able to inspire visitors of all ages with an experience that reflects the cultural significance of this battle site. Even young people whose daily lives are filled with technology, from phones to games consoles, will be astounded by the interpretation as they enjoy learning about our past.

“I am delighted that it is our heritage which is providing an international showcase for the cutting-edge technology being developed here while also giving us a visitor centre which will make a significant contribution to Scotland’s culture, society and economy.”

National Trust for Scotland Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“The Trust is honoured to care for a site of such significance to Scotland and beyond. We are creating a stimulating experience that does this historic place justice and tells the complex story of this crucial battle as accurately as possible. It will bring visitors face to face with the realities of medieval warfare as well as setting the battle in the context of conflict in the 21st century. It’s exciting to be leading the charge in the innovative use of technology. I have no doubt our visitors will come away electrified by the new Battle of Bannockburn experience.”

To read more about the project visit www.nts.org.uk/bannockburn2014.