NEWS

Branklyn Garden in the heart of Perth, which has been described as ‘the finest two acre garden in the country’, is famed for its fabulous collection of the exotic bloom, boasting 5 species and 25 cultivars on site.

Meconopsis, or blue poppies, originated in the high mountains of Tibet, south-west China, Bhutan, Sikkim, Burma, India and Nepal were brought back to Britain by plant hunters in the early 20th century. They adapted readily to our Scottish climate and have thrived in the sheltered surroundings of Branklyn Garden.

Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the grounds with head gardener and horticultural expert Steve McNamara. The tour begins at 14.00 and visitors will be invited to enjoy refreshments on the patio.

Steve McNamara said:

“We’ve a great display of the ‘big blues’ on show on Meconopsis Day, as well as some interesting purple hues and white varieties too.

“The garden is lovely at this time of year - really worth a visit. We are also bursting with rhododendron, primula, and a fantastic newly renovated rock garden. The list is endless. You must come and see for yourself.“

The garden and shop are open daily 10.00 – 17.00 (shop opening times may vary).

For further information please call 0844 493 2193.

 

Join Head Gardener, Tim Keyworth at this attractive old country house which was home to the Leith and Leith-Hay families for more than three centuries for an evening walk.

Tim Keyworth said:

“The West garden was made by Mr and Hon Mrs Charles Leith-Hay around the beginning of the twentieth century and the rock garden has been enhanced by the Scottish Rock Gardening Club.

“The remarkable herbaceous and catmint borders that run either side of the zigzag path are one of the longest of their kind in Scotland, at nearly 100m and unbeatable in the summer months.

“The six acre gardens are wide and varied and there's plenty to see at all times of the year. Highlights include a vegetable garden, a rock garden and the rare Moongate which would be a focal point in any garden. The views that surround the garden are a stunning backdrop to this rare hidden gem.”

The walk begins at 19.00 and booking is essential - call 0844 4932175 or email clow@nts.org.uk.

Leith Hall was built over three centuries, starting in 1650, and remained the home of the Leith-Hay family until the mid-20th century.
 

The gentle walks will be centred around appreciating the natural picturesque setting of the island and finding out more about the wildflowers in their varied habitats.

Visitors will be guided by local resident Joyce Watson and Ranger Emily Wilkins, who will meet visitors at the Iona Pier by the National Trust for Scotland’s notice board. The event starts at 10:45 and will run through till 13:00.

Tickets cost £3 for an adult and can be booked by calling 01681 700659.

For further information please call 0844 4932212.

With its stunning landscape of white sandy beaches and dramatic changing light, Iona is one of the most sacred sites in Britain. It was here in AD 563 that St Columba and his followers arrived from Ireland to spread the gospel throughout Scotland and northern England.

Iona is still a centre for Christian pilgrimage, and its atmosphere of spirituality and the sense of serenity continue to inspire visitors and those who live and work on the island.
 

At Falkland Palace in Fife on 4 June the emphasis is on fun for youngsters and their teddy bears. The lovely orchards will be the venue for a grand Teddy Bear picnic and every furry friend is invited on the Bank Holiday Monday.

The bear theme continues with the Three Bears Puppet Show, also in the orchard, and a chance to try some face painting. There are fancy dress competitions for the best dressed boy and girl, and naturally for the best dressed teddy!

The Royal Palace of Falkland was built in the 16th century and sits in the midst of a lovely medieval village. The grounds were once walked by Mary Queen of Scots, and include a Real Tennis court – Britain’s oldest tennis court.

The event is suitable for 3 to 7 year olds, who must be accompanied by an adult, and they must bring their own sandwiches. Normal admission prices apply and include activities.

DATE: 04 June 2012, 12.00-15.00

More information on 0844 493 2186.
 

The historic Ayrshire estate has a packed programme of events over the Bank Holiday weekend. The full programme is:

ACORN Craft Fair – 2-4 June - 11.00 - 17.00
The Ayrshire Craft Organisation members bring along a selection of their wares for sale in the Stone Barn at the Visitor Centre. For further information please call 0844 493 2148.

The Night Hunters – 2 June – 22.30 - 00.00
Nocturnal sights and sounds at Culzean. Places are limited. Bookings only accepted on the day at Visitor Centre from 09.00. To book please call 01655 884400. Tickets cost £3 for adults and £2 for children. For any further information please call 0844 493 2148.

Poetry Picnic – 3 June – 12.00 - 14.00
Join Makar Press Poets in the Walled Garden. Following in the tradition of Robert Burns, three Ayrshire poets; Rowena Love, Michael Malone and Sheila Templeton, read their own inspiring and highly accessible work. Bring a picnic and something to sit on. For further information please call 0844 493 2148.

Pebbles on the Beach – 3 June – 14.00 - 15.30
Ranger led walk looking for agates and explaining the geology of Culzean. For further information please call 0844 493 2148.

Carrick 800 – 3 June – 14.30 - 15.30
An re-enactment of a local legend in the Fountain Court. The Kennedy’s are having a meeting at the inn. Observe as an old feud gets resolved by powder and blade.

Culzean is the perfect place for a day out for all the family - whether you're a keen walker, a gardener, interested in architecture or happy just to soak up some history.

Robert Adam's 18th-century masterpiece - a real 'castle in the air' - is perched on a cliff high above the crashing waves of the Firth of Clyde.

The Castle itself boasts a spectacular Oval Staircase, the impressive Armoury and the Circular Saloon, with its panoramic views over the Clyde.

The extensive grounds encompass Scotland's first country park where you can explore the deer park, swan pond, miles of woodland walks and adventure playground.  

The National Trust for Scotland property attracted a host of youngsters keen to learn more about the wildlife there.

The palace has some of the most attractive gardens in the area, not just for humans but also for bugs of all shapes and sizes. Wildlife walks and bug hunts proved especially popular as the orchards revealed some of their smaller inhabitants. Bee keeping also created a lot of interest as guides explained how the process worked locally.

Head Gardener, Sonia Ferras Mana, was delighted with the response to the event which took place on 12 May:

“We really enjoyed seeing our young visitors learning from these wonderful surroundings. It encourages us to do more events like this.”

After exploring the gardens where Mary Queen of Scots once strolled, the youngsters were able to get some hands-on experience with various craft projects, making masks, and finger puppets based on the creatures they’d seen.
 

At the event, now in its sixteenth year, anyone with a car, scooter, motor bike or any form of Italian transport is invited to come and show off their vehicle.

Roger Brown, Property Manager for the House of Tarvit said:

“It’s a great honour to welcome the Scottish Italian Car Day to the Hill of Tarvit. In addition to the magnificent range of Italian cars on show, visitors will also have the opportunity to visit Hill of Tarvit mansion house at a special rate and sample Italian-themed food from our caterers Hatters and Co.”

Euan Colbron, one of the organisers of the event, said:

“We are delighted to be holding our annual Italian Car Day at the National Trust for Scotland’s Hill of Tarvit. The Edwardian mansion house and the beautiful gardens will be a magnificent backdrop for the wide range of Italian cars on show.”

Tickets for the event cost £8 which includes entry to the car show, the mansion house and gardens.

The Scottish Italian Car Day takes place on 27 May from 11.00 - 16.00.

For any further information please visit www.alfascot.com or contact Euan Colbron on 01382 731479.
 

The gardens of this estate, just south of Aberdeen, are renowned for their flowers and hedges, especially the herbaceous borders, but they require some careful and frugal management. This day-long workshop will cover the principles and practicalities of propagation which can be adopted for the domestic garden.

There will be practical sessions on seed sowing, taking cuttings, composting and how to look after indoor plants, with Trust gardening and propagation experts on hand to answer your questions.

Tips and techniques can also be exchanged over a light lunch, or during coffee breaks.

Places are limited so booking is essential.

DATES: 26 May 2012 10.00-15.00

PRICES: Adults £50

More information on 0844 493 2166
 

This early 19th Century tower is a result of a bet made by Sir James Dalyell and is attached to the fascinating House of the Binns.

The house, dating from the early 17th century and now owned by the National Trust for Scotland, is the family seat of the Dalyells and is still lived in and cared for by former MP Sir Tam Dalyell and his wife Kathleen.

Reopening for visitors on 1 June, this imposing mansion house has a fascinating collection of portraits, furniture and porcelain, reflecting the interests of the Dalyell family over the past four centuries.

These include the controversial General Tam Dalyell, who was known as “Bluidy Tam” and “the Muscovy Brute” following service with the Tsar’s armies. He returned to The Binns with the restoration, bringing with him the thumbscrews which he is reputed to have introduced to Scotland. After having reinforced his reputation for cruelty in actions against the Covenantors, he founded the Royal Scot Greys (who, after amalgamations, survive in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards). His striking portrait casts an imperious, inspecting eye over visitors to the dining room.

The imposing mansion house illustrates the change from defensible castles to a more spacious style, whilst the parkland walks around the house benefit from panoramic views North across the Forth and South to the Pentland hills.

The House of the Binns is open for guided tours only from 1 Jun to 30 Sep, Sat -Wed from 2.00pm – 5.00pm (last tour 4.15pm). The estate is open all year round, daily, closing at dusk.

Tel. 0844 493 2127.

The story of the Dalyells also features in a new media project for the National Trust for Scotland. View the full story at www.scotlandsstories.com.

 

Under the expert guidance of Stella Colleluori who runs the Hatter’s Edwardian Tearoom and Eatery at Hill of Tarvit and Fife foraging Tony Wilson, visitors will search out wild delicacies from the grounds surrounding Hill of Tarvit mansion house.

The group will then enjoy a demo and talk in the kitchen, before tucking into a fine wild food feast prepared by Stella.

Property Manager Roger Brown said:

“Fife is fortunate to have a wealth of fine local produce on its doorstep, but its not just farmers who produce that. Lots of lovely things grow wild too. This event will help open our visitors eyes and tastebuds up to the possibility of the tasty treats that nature provides free of charge.”

The Wild Food event starts at 15.00 and costs £45 per person. For more information and bookings contact Stella on 07771615048 or drop into Hatters at Hill of Tarvit.

Hill of Tarvit mansion house is one of the finest Edwardian properties in Scotland, with genteel interiors packed with its interesting collection of porcelain, art and golf memorabilia.

The A listed house is open from Thursday until Monday from 1.00pm until 5.00pm. The garden and grounds are open daily.
 

If you would like to investigate different ways to attract, monitor and capture images of your animal visitors, then help is on hand from the National Trust for Scotland’s rangers at Killiecrankie.

They are running a special event for adults designed to share their technological tips on watching wildlife on 19 May from 10.30am until 12 noon.

With a mixture of low-tech and high-tech methods in use at Killiecrankie Visitor Centre, the rangers will show you how to encourage wildlife into your area and demonstrate the variety of gadgets that are used at the centre to capture images of the local wildlife - including pine martens, red squirrels and birds.

The event will include information about the popular nest boxes and their live feed into the centre and the feeding station outside the visitor centre which attracts a fascinating range of birds from great tits to woodpeckers and nuthatches. See which of these we have captured on CCTV or with still photography.

The latest technology is explained and the rangers will provide information on what can be simply constructed or bought to enhance your wildlife monitoring at home.

DATE: 19 May 10.30 – 12.00

PRICES: Adults £4

Meet outside the visitor centre, no booking required.

For more information call: 0844 493 2194

 

On 23 May and 6 June, gardeners visiting this special haven will be given a unique insight in how the team at Inverewe have maintained and developed this magnificent Highland garden amidst mountains, moorland and sea-loch.

On 23 May the walk will concentrate on Woodland Gardening and will show off the dappled shade planting, ‘fossil trees’, rhododendron walk and bamboosalem for which the garden is famous. For those who garden on a more domestic scale, the First Gardener’s walk on 6 June will concentrate on the plantings for the National Collection.

Inverewe is stunning throughout the year: its attractions change through the seasons so there is always something new to see and enjoy season on season, year on year.

Both guided walks begin 2pm and are included in the admission price.

Opening Times: Gardens open 1 Apr to 31 Oct, daily 10-4; 1 Nov to 31 Dec, daily 10-3. Visitor Centre and Restaurant open 1 Apr to 31 Oct, daily 10-4. Opening hours are extended at peak times of the year

Cost: Adult £9.50, Concession £7. Free to National Trust for Scotland Members.

Contact: 0844 493 2225 www.nts.org.uk

For more information on the Trust gardens taking part in Gardens Days, visit www.nts.org.uk.
 

The walled garden, set on a steep terraced slope behind the palace and enjoying views across the Forth, beautifully recreates a town house garden of the period, reflecting the history of the town as a centre of trade, commerce and industry. The garden features stimulation for all the senses with vegetables to tempt the taste buds; culinary and medicinal herbs, fruit trees, aromatic old-fashioned roses and a scented lawn to inspire; and the chatter of the renowned Scots Dumpy hens as accompaniment.

As part of the Scotland’s Gardens Scheme guided tours are being offered, explaining the uses of many of the plants and the design of the garden, with a cup of tea and scone in the Bessie Bar Tearoom to finish.

The garden is open daily from 10.00 until 18.00 and tours will be available throughout Sunday 13 May. For more information, contact Mark Jeffrey on 0844 493 2193.

The Bessie Bar Tearoom is open until 1730 and often features produce from the garden, including eggs from the Scots Dumpies.

The Town House is open 1 Apr to 31 May, Thur - Mon 12 - 5; 1 Jun to 30 Aug, daily 12 - 5; 1 to 30 Sep, Thur - Mon 12 - 5; 1 to 31 Oct Fri - Mon 12 - 4.
Access to The Study and Town House is by guided tour only. Tours depart from palace reception every hour. First tour departs 1pm, last tour departs 4pm (3pm in October). Tours last approx 1 hour.

For more information on the Trust gardens taking part in Gardens Days, visit www.nts.org.uk.
 

Alison Burke, Property Manager for Drum Castle, Garden and Estate said:

“This is a musical feast for your ears as you step back in time 400 years to hear a group serve up a delectable menu of musical treats including vocal and instrumental works by Purcell, Gibbons and their English and European counterparts interspersed with colourful period anecdotes.

“Join the team in the library housed within the 700 year old tower for an evening of unusual and highly entertaining works performed using period instruments combined with countertenor voice much as the 17th and 18th century audience would have heard them.”

The evening will offer visitors up an eclectic selection of music which ranges from the love songs of 17th century Spain, accompanied on Baroque Guitar, to extracts from the semi-operas of Henry Purcell with the concert including a special tribute to poet and songwriter Robert Burns.

Tickets for the concert cost £14 for adults and £12 for children and concessions. Tickets are accompanied by a complementary souvenir programme and the chance to meet and talk to the artists during the interval.

Places are limited so booking in advance is strongly recommended.

The performance runs from 19.30 - 21.15 with doors opening at 19.00.

For further information and booking please call 0844 4932161.

Drum’s combination of a 13th-century square tower, a Jacobean mansion house and the additions of the Victorian lairds make Drum unique among Scottish castles.
Inside, enjoy superb furniture, fine paintings and magnificent views from the battlements of the Forest of Drum and the countryside beyond.

Outside, explore the beautiful Garden of Historic Roses, woodland trails and a children's playground.
 

Join the team and learn about the magical world of fruit trees and their wildlife value. Find out about bee keeping or join our garden team for a bug hunt and craft activities.

Blossom Day runs from 11.30am until 3.30pm.

The Royal Palace of Falkland, built between 1501 and 1541 and set in the heart of a unique medieval village, was the country residence and hunting lodge of eight Stuart monarchs, including Mary, Queen of Scots.

Wandering around the palace and gardens, it is poignant to reflect that Mary, Queen of Scots spent some of the happiest days of her life here, 'playing the country girl in the woods and parks'.

The palace is famous for its beautiful gardens and for the Royal Tennis court, built in 1539. A world away from Wimbledon, this is Britain's oldest tennis court and is home to a flourishing local tennis club.

For further information please call 0844 493 2186.
 

Youngsters aged seven to twelve will find out how three sticks tied together can make a great “spinning wheel” for spiders hoping to catch their lunch.

Also waiting to be discovered are ladybirds and bees who would like the children’s help to build new mini habitats.

Your expert guide for the morning will be the National Trust for Scotland’s Lothian Area Ranger Stuart Whittaker:

“We want to show the visitors how to give the small, wee beasties a helping hand and have a lot of fun at the same time. Our efforts also attract more birds into the garden for everyone to enjoy their birdsong at this time of year”.

Booking is essential. For further details and prices, please call the Area Ranger on 0844 4932124, or email lothianranger@nts.org.uk. Everyone will be invited to meet up at Inveresk Lodge Garden.
 

Tim Licata, Artistic Director for Plutôt la Vie said:

“This is our second piece of family clown theatre. There is very little language in our productions and they are based more on the rhythm of the music and our very colourful characters.

“Join us for the tale of three silly clowns; Fritz, Franz and Rudi who live in a world of chairs. This is not a normal logical story and comes from European clowning. The clowns are very serious and aren’t trying to be funny believing they know what they are doing when in fact they couldn’t be more wrong. This is where we hope the comedy will come in.

“It is a very interactive performance and we rely on a crowd who are ready to let loose and get fully involved.”

The performers met while clown doctoring for hearts and minds ( www.heartsminds.org.uk/) and Tim Licata and Ian Cameron founded Plutôt la Vie. Calum MacAskill has come on board for the By the Seat of Your Pants tour.

By the Seat of Your Pants takes place on 17 May from 19.00-20.00.

Tickets for the performance cost £9 for adults, £7 for children and £25 for a family ticket. Tickets can be booked by phoning 0844 4932179, visiting www.nts.org.uk/Events/Ticket-Date/1665/ or by emailing haddo@nts.com.

Haddo House is an elegant mansion house which boasts stunning late Victorian interiors is noted for its fine furniture and paintings; Haddo also has a terraced garden leading to the Country Park with lakes, walks and monuments.
 

Rocky and Coco are two fine pigs, adopted by the Friends of Barry Mill as their mascots. The pigs will be the centre of attention and family fun at the A-listed water mill for this special event. Rocky and Coco are local celebrities and were stars of the Dundee Flower Show in 2010. A series of pig-themed events are planned including a competition to guess the weight of a pig, as well as milling demonstration by master miller Peter Ellis. You can also learn how, historically, pigs featured in many a ‘miller’s tale’......or should that be ‘tail!’

Peter Ellis said:

“This will be a fun family event and we are grateful to the Friends of Barry Mill and their mascots for making it possible. The mill is set in a lovely rural location which once would have been home to livestock just like Rocky and Coco.”

Peter has recently been featured in a National Trust for Scotland new media project where he shares his skill and expertise as a master miller. Find out more at www.scotlandsstories.com.

Barry Mill is one of the finest examples of an operational water-powered grain mill in Scotland.

National Mills Weekend is held annually on the second weekend in May and is promoted by the Mills Section of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings – www.nationalmillsweekend.co.uk
 

The days are organised as part of the Scotland’s Gardens Scheme which supports gardens across the country.

Across Scotland, more than 30 National Trust for Scotland gardens are getting involved, putting on special events such as ‘ask the gardener’, hosting music ensembles, and taking visitors on a tour of the unusual or interesting features at their gardens.

Threave Garden in Castle Douglas, which is owned and cared for by the conservation charity, is taking part in the scheme on Sunday 13 May.

Set in beautiful countryside, Threave Garden and Estate is a treasure.

The grounds are made up of different habitats that lend themselves naturally to beautifully varied garden styles. It has spectacular daffodils in spring, colourful herbaceous borders in summer, and striking autumn trees. There is also a working lush walled garden, an orchard stocked with authentic regional varieties of fruit, rose garden, a heather garden, temperate glasshouse collection, rock gardens and water features including a cascade.

The woodland garden is one of the most attractive and tranquil places to visit. Visitors can enjoy glimpsing plants from all over the world in the dappled shade while birdsong fills the air.

Enjoying lunch on the restaurant terrace is also a delight with the heavenly fragrance of honeysuckle and sweet peas growing alongside.

For the more adventurous, there is the chance to explore the circular estate walk for a spot of bird watching and join the osprey watch near Threave Castle.


The Scots Baronial house is also open for visitors to enjoy.
 

Over seventy players are expected this month, with a guest appearance from one of Shetland’s foremost fiddlers, Bryan Gear.

The Ythan Fiddlers is a charity based in Ellon, just a few miles from Haddo, with more than fifty members whose ages range from six to sixty. They return to Haddo house for an evening of entertainment, which will attract some top musicians.

Top of the bill, Bryan Gear, is generally recognized as one of the finest fiddlers in Scotland, and although still a joiner by trade has travelled extensively. Violet Tulloch will be again providing accompaniment, although she too has a fine solo reputation.

Host for the evening is the traditional Scottish comedian, Eddie Rose. He too is well known across the east and mid Highlands, especially now that he has a radio programme on Heartland FM in Pitlochry.

Haddo House, a National Trust for Scotland property, has a tradition of top music and drama events, and this is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the year for lovers of traditional Scottish music, with a show to entertain the whole family.

DATE: 12 May 2012, 19.30 – 21.00

TICKETS: Adults £7, Children £5, Families £20, Concessions £5

Booking through J&K Shoes in Ellon, on 01651 851721, or 01358 720598

More information on: 0844 493 2179
 

The team here have a range of amazing outdoor events planned, as the sunshine has finally started to appear.

From pond-dipping to exploring Culzean’s caves, there is plenty to choose from. The full programme is:

• Explore Culzean's Caves - Sat 12 May, 10.00am – 11.30am: A rare opportunity to see the cave system which runs underneath Culzean, which is normally closed to the public. Costs £10 for adults and £5 for children (aged 8 and over).
• Pond Dipping – Sun 13 May, 2.00pm – 3.30pm: Come and find out more about the amazing world of pond creatures living here at Culzean Castle. A short walk to a nearby pond, followed by a pond dip to look at the ponds inhabitants. No additional charge.
• Spring Birdlife Walk - Sun 13 May, 7.30pm – 9.00pm: An evening ranger-led walk to identify birds and birdsongs. Costs £2 for adults and £1 for children.
• Seven O'Clock Walk - Exploring Rockpools - Sat 19 May – 7.00pm – 8.30pm: One of Culzean's experienced rangers will take you on walk exploring rockpools. No additional cost.
• Band Call - Sun 20 May, 2.30 – 4.30pm - Irvine and Dreghorn Brass Band perform at Fountain Court. No additional charge or booking necessary.
• Woodland Art - Sun 20 May, 2.00pm – 3.30pm: Being creative with woodland material - led by a ranger. No additional charge.

Booking for events other than the Band Call is essential – call 01655 884400.

Perched on a clifftop overlooking 600 acres of gardens and woodland, Culzean Castle is an awe-inspiring and historic 18th century treasure. With its Country Park home to wildlife, walks and three miles of shoreline, the property as a whole offers an incredible range of experiences, with something for everyone to enjoy.
 

David Ferguson, Manager and Head Gardener for Greenbank Garden said:

“This month we will be looking at ways to incorporate fruit into the garden. We will have a look together at what is doing well at this time of year and give out any advice that we can on jobs to do in the garden now.”

The walk will take place between 2.30pm and 4.00pm.

For further information please call 0844 4932201.

Within easy reach of city residents, Greenbank’s unique walled garden contains plants and designs of particular interest to domestic gardeners and includes fountains and a woodland walk.
 

Alison Burke, Property Manager for Drum Castle, Garden and Estate said:

“Join us for some mediaeval inspired crafts in our 700 year old castle this weekend. Discover what type of beasties and plants were squished up to make coloured dyes in our Mediaeval Plants and Dyes Workshop, before having a go at using some of these dyes to write a message with a feather quill.”

On top of this visitors will have the chance to discover all the families linked to the Irvines of Drum by examining the family shields on the library ceiling and create their own heraldic shield to take home.

The Lichens and Lions event runs on Sunday 13 May from 11.00am - 4.00pm.

For any further information please call 0844 4932161.

Drum’s combination of a 13th-century square tower, a Jacobean mansion house and the additions of the Victorian lairds make Drum unique among Scottish castles.

Inside, enjoy superb furniture, fine paintings and magnificent views from the battlements of the Forest of Drum and the countryside beyond.

Outside, explore the beautiful Garden of Historic Roses, woodland trails and a children's playground.
 

Begun more than 100 years ago on the south facing slope of a promontory separating Asknish Bay from Loch Melfort, this remarkable hidden paradise, is influenced by the North Atlantic Drift and grows a wide variety of plants from the four corners of the globe.

Internationally known for the rhododendron species collection, the garden also features magnolias, camellias, azaleas and many other wonderful trees and shrubs, many of which are tender and not often seen. A broad selection of perennials, bulbs, ferns and water plants ensure a year-long season of interest.

For more information, contact 0844 493 2216.
 

Gavin Skipper, Balmacara Estate ranger said:

“Come along and explore the wonderful woodlands associated with the Collie Mhor and find out what makes this such a special place. Meet a few veteran oak and admire the views along the way.”

The walk takes place on Friday 18 May between 14.00 and 16.00 commencing from Balmacara Square.

For any further information please call 0844 4932233.

The Balmacara Estate (2,550 hectares) is a diverse Highland crofting estate of high nature conservation and cultural value. The land has been used for millennia, with the agricultural and woodland management of the last two centuries giving rise to a pleasing blend of built, farmed and natural environments in the landscape. The mosaic of arable croft fields around small settlements, with outlying moorland common grazing reflects a historically important land use of the West Highlands which remains relevant to local communities today.
 

Gardener Nigel Price, who is based at Crarae Garden near Inveraray, has travelled to China to increase his knowledge and tells the fascinating story of the troubles that other plant hunters have encountered in bringing new plant species to Scotland. He also shares his extensive knowledge of the many species of rhododendron which can be found at the Argyll garden. Nigel’s is one of 20 stories featured in the Trust’s Scotland’s Stories project.

Scotland’s Stories created soundslides to tell the story of the diversity of the skills of the people needed to tend the places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and their passion for their vital work to conserve and promote our heritage. The Crarae Garden story features at www.scotlandsstories.com.

Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“The Trust is uniquely placed in Scotland – it’s the only conservation charity which is responsible for looking after the whole panoply of our heritage – built, natural and cultural. Through Scotland’s Stories we hope to give an insight into the vast array of skills and experience that is needed to look after the special places and items in our care. All of this goes on day in, day out and often un-noticed behind the scenes.

“We wanted to pull back the curtain on the world of conservation and shine a light on the talent and dedication of the passionate people who keep Argyll’s heritage alive for future generations.”

The project is intended to raise public awareness of what’s involved in caring for the nation’s heritage and encouraging people to talk about it too, as outlined in the Trust’s strategy Securing the future of our past, published in August 2011.

The soundslides were created by Interpretaction, a Black Isle-based heritage interpretation consultancy which works throughout the UK and in Europe. It brought together an expert team combining exceptional photography with high-quality audio-recording and film-making.

Director Verity Walker said:
“This story is quite deliberately called The Plant Hunter’s Tale rather than The Gardener’s. Hearing about early plant-hunters and their gory ordeals from Nigel Price had the team mesmerised from the outset, and although the day was very wet, the light and water add to the magic through our photographer Mike Bolam’s beautiful images.”

People can upload their own stories about Trust properties, their visits and experiences there at a dedicated Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ScotlandsStories
 

Dan Watson is an ecologist for the National Trust for Scotland covering both Ben Lawers and Glencoe features in the Trust’s Scotland’s Stories project. He was filmed at Ben Lawers.

Scotland’s Stories created 20 soundslides which tell the story of the diversity of the skills of the people needed to tend the places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and their passion for their vital work to conserve and promote our heritage. The Ben Lawers story features at
www.scotlandsstories.com.

Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“The Trust is uniquely placed in Scotland – it’s the only conservation charity which is responsible for looking after the whole panoply of our heritage – built, natural and cultural. Through Scotland’s Stories we hope to give an insight into the vast array of skills and experience that is needed to look after the special places and items in our care. All of this goes on day in, day out and often un-noticed behind the scenes.

“We wanted to pull back the curtain on the world of conservation and shine a light on the talent and dedication of the passionate people who keep Ben Lawers’ heritage alive for future generations.”

The project is intended to raise public awareness of what’s involved in caring for the nation’s heritage and encouraging people to talk about it too, as outlined in the Trust’s strategy Securing the future of our past, published in August 2011.

The soundslides were created by Interpretaction, a Black Isle-based heritage interpretation consultancy which works throughout the UK and in Europe. It brought together an expert team combining exceptional photography with high-quality audio-recording and film-making.

Director Verity Walker said:
“We visited Ben Lawers with some trepidation as it was winter and we wondered if there would be anything much to shoot. But both the winter ecology and ecologist Dan Watson had us mesmerised from the outset, even on a very bleak November’s day!”

People can upload their own stories about Trust properties, their visits and experiences there at a dedicated Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ScotlandsStories
 

Ross Hughes (28) who lives in Edinburgh helped the Trust with a wide range of tasks, acting as a leader on Thistle Camps (Trust working holidays) and assisting with the removal of the invasive species Rhododendron ponticum at Ben Lomond, Scotland’s most southerly Munro. Since making this film, Ross has gone on to find permanent employment in the voluntary sector.

Scotland’s Stories created soundslides to tell the story of the diversity of the skills of the people needed to tend the places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and their passion for their vital work to conserve and promote our heritage. The Ben Lomond story features at
www.scotlandsstories.com.

Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“The Trust is uniquely placed in Scotland – it’s the only conservation charity which is responsible for looking after the whole panoply of our heritage – built, natural and cultural. Through Scotland’s Stories we hope to give an insight into the vast array of skills and experience that is needed to look after the special places and items in our care. All of this goes on day in, day out and often un-noticed behind the scenes.

“We wanted to pull back the curtain on the world of conservation and shine a light on the talent and dedication of the passionate people who keep Ben Lomond’s heritage alive for future generations.”

The project is intended to raise public awareness of what’s involved in caring for the nation’s heritage and encouraging people to talk about it too, as outlined in the Trust’s strategy Securing the future of our past, published in August 2011.

The soundslides were created by Interpretaction, a Black Isle-based heritage interpretation consultancy which works throughout the UK and in Europe. It brought together an expert team combining exceptional photography with high-quality audio-recording and film-making.

People can upload their own stories about Trust properties, their visits and experiences there at a dedicated Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ScotlandsStories

 

Trust Head of Archaeology Derek Alexander was joined by academic and TV star Tony Pollard as he had his talents showcased as part of the conservation charity’s Scotland’s Stories project.

This created 20 soundslides which tell the story of the diversity of the skills of the people needed to tend the places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and their passion for their vital work to conserve and promote our heritage. The story from Bannockburn features at www.scotlandsstories.com.

Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“The Trust is uniquely placed in Scotland – it’s the only conservation charity which is responsible for looking after the whole panoply of our heritage – built, natural and cultural. Through Scotland’s Stories we hope to give an insight into the vast array of skills and experience that is needed to look after the special places and items in our care. All of this goes on day in, day out and often un-noticed behind the scenes.

“We wanted to pull back the curtain on the world of conservation and shine a light on the talent and dedication of the passionate people who keep Bannockburn’s heritage alive for future generations.”

The project is intended to raise public awareness of what’s involved in caring for the nation’s heritage and encouraging people to talk about it too, as outlined in the Trust’s strategy Securing the future of our past, published in August 2011.

The soundslides were created by Interpretaction, a Black Isle-based heritage interpretation consultancy which works throughout the UK and in Europe. It brought together an expert team combining exceptional photography with high-quality audio-recording and film-making.

Director Verity Walker said:

“Bannockburn itself will soon benefit from a fabulous new visitor centre, but for us the story came to life on site simply in the engaging conversation between our two interviewees, the Trust’s own Derek Alexander - holding a tiny fragment of possible arrowhead - and TV archaeologist Tony Pollard.”

People can upload their own stories about Trust properties, their visits and experiences there at a dedicated Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ScotlandsStories

Facilities at the Bannockburn site are being transformed in time for the 700th anniversary of the battle. A brand new visitor centre is being built to bring the story of the battle to life and give visitors the opportunity to come face to face with the realities of medieval warfare.

The project to build new facilities is a joint one with Historic Scotland and is being generously funded by the Scottish Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
 

Miller Peter Ellis has been operating Barry Mill, bringing this important piece of Angus’s industrial heritage to life for visitors since the 1990s. His is one of 20 stories featured in the Trust’s Scotland’s Stories project.

Scotland’s Stories created soundslides to tell the story of the diversity of the skills of the people needed to tend the places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and their passion for their vital work to conserve and promote our heritage. The Carnoustie story features at www.scotlandsstories.com.

Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“The Trust is uniquely placed in Scotland – it’s the only conservation charity which is responsible for looking after the whole panoply of our heritage – built, natural and cultural. Through Scotland’s Stories we hope to give an insight into the vast array of skills and experience that is needed to look after the special places and items in our care. All of this goes on day in, day out and often un-noticed behind the scenes.

“We wanted to pull back the curtain on the world of conservation and shine a light on the talent and dedication of the passionate people who keep Carnoustie’s heritage alive for future generations.”

The project is intended to raise public awareness of what’s involved in caring for the nation’s heritage and encouraging people to talk about it too, as outlined in the Trust’s strategy Securing the future of our past, published in August 2011.

The soundslides were created by Interpretaction, a Black Isle-based heritage interpretation consultancy which works throughout the UK and in Europe. It brought together an expert team combining exceptional photography with high-quality audio-recording and film-making.

Director Verity Walker said:
“It was a privilege for the Interpretaction team to spend a full day in the company of master miller Peter Ellis, who captivated us with his stories of millers and milling.”

People can upload their own stories about Trust properties, their visits and experiences there at a dedicated Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ScotlandsStories
 

David Hopes who was until fairly recently curator at the award-winning Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, a group of holiday makers from all over the UK and beyond who helped with an archaeological dig at Culzean Castle and Country Park last summer and one of Scotland’s top heritage stonemason’s Justin Egerton who is also based at the South Ayrshire castle have had their talents showcased as part of the conservation charity’s Scotland’s Stories project.

This created 20 soundslides which tell the story of the diversity of the skills of the people needed to tend the places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and their passion for their vital work to conserve and promote our heritage. The stories from Ayrshire feature at www.scotlandstories.com.

Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“The Trust is uniquely place in Scotland – it’s the only conservation charity which is responsible for looking after the whole panoply of our heritage – built, natural and cultural. Through Scotland’s Stories we hope to give an insight into the vast array of skills and experience that is needed to look after the special places and items in our care. All of this goes on day in, day out and often un-noticed behind the scenes.

“We wanted to pull back the curtain on the world of conservation and shine a light on the talent and dedication of the passionate people who keep Ayrshire’s heritage alive for future generations.”

The project is intended to raise public awareness of what’s involved in caring for the nation’s heritage and encouraging people to talk about it too, as outlined in the Trust’s strategy Securing the future of our past, published in August 2011.

The soundslides were created by Interpretaction, a Black Isle-based heritage interpretation consultancy which works throughout the UK and in Europe. It brought together an expert team combining exceptional photography with high-quality audio-recording and film-making.

Director Verity Walker said:

“While I was directing The Bard’s Tale, David Hopes invited me to don white gloves and just for a moment, I was allowed to hold the tiny writing set which Robert Burns carried against his heart in his breast pocket, containing dipping pens and ink he would have made himself. We’ve aimed to communicate the thrill of moments like this through Scotland’s Stories, and our Ayrshire stories are full of them.”

“We explored different aspects of Culzean on three occasions. As well as our Haunted Houses footage, photographer Mike Bolam’s pictures illustrate life in the mud for gallant Thistle Campers, and audio producer Andrea Protheroe’s sensitive microphone picking up even the eerie wind which played a tune in the scaffolding pipes protecting stone-mason Justin Egerton as he worked.”

People can upload their own stories about Trust properties, their visits and experiences there at a dedicated Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ScotlandsStories
 

Ali Murfitt, who has just completed fungus apprenticeship with the National Trust for Scotland shows her skill, identifying fungi at the Mar Lodge Estate near Braemar and the ghost stories of the area, especially those at Crathes Castle feature in the Trust’s Scotland’s Stories project.

This created 20 soundslides which tell the story of the diversity of the skills of the people needed to tend the places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and their passion for their vital work to conserve and promote our heritage. The stories from Aberdeenshire feature at: www.scotlandsstories.com.

Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“The Trust is uniquely placed in Scotland – it’s the only conservation charity which is responsible for looking after the whole panoply of our heritage – built, natural and cultural. Through Scotland’s Stories we hope to give an insight into the vast array of skills and experience that is needed to look after the special places and items in our care. All of this goes on day in, day out and often un-noticed behind the scenes.

“We wanted to pull back the curtain on the world of conservation and shine a light on the talent and dedication of the passionate people who keep Aberdeenshire’s heritage alive for future generations.”

The project is intended to raise public awareness of what’s involved in caring for the nation’s heritage and encouraging people to talk about it too, as outlined in the Trust’s strategy Securing the future of our past, published in August 2011.

The soundslides were created by Interpretaction, a Black Isle-based heritage interpretation consultancy which works throughout the UK and in Europe. It brought together an expert team combining exceptional photography with high-quality audio-recording and film-making.

Director Verity Walker said:

“We were blessed with a stunning day in which to explore Mar Lodge’s beautiful and varied grassland fungi with apprentice Ali Murfitt, and the highlight for my team was collecting chanterelle fungi, then cooking them with butter and wild herbs in the open air on an ancient camping gas stove and eating them there and then. Not far away, Crathes Castle offered a very spooky dimension to our Haunted Houses vodcast too: Aberdeenshire has such an amazing variety of National Trust for Scotland properties.”

People can upload their own stories about Trust properties, their visits and experiences there at a dedicated Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ScotlandsStories
 

Michael Newcomen, a living historian who works at the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre features in the Trust’s Scotland’s Stories project.

This created 20 soundslides which tell the story of the diversity of the skills of the people needed to tend the places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and their passion for their vital work to conserve and promote our heritage. The Culloden story features at
www.scotlandsstories.com.

Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“The Trust is uniquely placed in Scotland – it’s the only conservation charity which is responsible for looking after the whole panoply of our heritage – built, natural and cultural. Through Scotland’s Stories we hope to give an insight into the vast array of skills and experience that is needed to look after the special places and items in our care. All of this goes on day in, day out and often un-noticed behind the scenes.

“We wanted to pull back the curtain on the world of conservation and shine a light on the talent and dedication of the passionate people who keep Culloden’s heritage alive for future generations.”

The project is intended to raise public awareness of what’s involved in caring for the nation’s heritage and encouraging people to talk about it too, as outlined in the Trust’s strategy Securing the future of our past, published in August 2011.

The soundslides were created by Interpretaction, a Black Isle-based heritage interpretation consultancy which works throughout the UK and in Europe. It brought together an expert team combining exceptional photography with high-quality audio-recording and film-making.

Director Verity Walker said:
“Culloden is on home turf for four of our team, and we were fortunate to shoot material for three elements of Scotland’s Stories there. We interviewed volunteers engaged in dry stone walling, filmed for the final sequence of the Jacobite Road which features an eerie soundscape provided by Fortrose Academy pupils and last but not least, interviewed one of Scotland’s great Jacobite experts and interpreters, Mike Newcomen. We shot one sequence of him marching towards us through the heather at least five times and he was extremely patient which was fortunate as he was carrying a whacking great claymore at the time!”

People can upload their own stories about Trust properties, their visits and experiences there at a dedicated Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ScotlandsStories
 

Ken Chapelle, whose workshop is in Glasgow’s West End, works for the Trust helping to care for clocks large and small across its properties in Scotland. He has been conserving the oldest clock in the Trust’s collection which is from Castle Fraser in Aberdeenshire and shares his favourite pieces that are in the Trust’s care, as well as a long list of items which he also is involved in repairing and restoring. Ken’s is one of 20 stories featured in the Trust’s Scotland’s Stories project.

Scotland’s Stories created soundslides to tell the story of the diversity of the skills of the people needed to tend the places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and their passion for their vital work to conserve and promote our heritage. The story features at www.scotlandsstories.com.

Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“The Trust is uniquely placed in Scotland – it’s the only conservation charity which is responsible for looking after the whole panoply of our heritage – built, natural and cultural. Through Scotland’s Stories we hope to give an insight into the vast array of skills and experience that is needed to look after the special places and items in our care. All of this goes on day in, day out and often un-noticed behind the scenes.

“We wanted to pull back the curtain on the world of conservation and shine a light on the talent and dedication of the passionate people who keep our heritage alive for future generations.”

The project is intended to raise public awareness of what’s involved in caring for the nation’s heritage and encouraging people to talk about it too, as outlined in the Trust’s strategy Securing the future of our past, published in August 2011.

The soundslides were created by Interpretaction, a Black Isle-based heritage interpretation consultancy which works throughout the UK and in Europe. It brought together an expert team combining exceptional photography with high-quality audio-recording and film-making.

Director Verity Walker said:
“None of our Interpretaction team will ever forget this particular Tale. It was a white-out and we really struggled to get there from different corners of Scotland, especially our photographer Mike Bolam, and received a warm welcome from Ken, surrounded by his beloved clocks, when we made it. He ensures the living heart of many Trust houses keeps ticking! On our arrival, the clocks there promptly all struck midday, giving Andrea Protheroe, our audio producer, quite a challenge.”

People can upload their own stories about Trust properties, their visits and experiences there at a dedicated Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ScotlandsStories
 

Pat Wigston and Paula McEwen are experts in conservation care based at the Georgian House, a Charlotte Square property and Gladstone’s Land on the Royal Mile. Following painstaking conservation cleaning methods they ensure that the house is well presented to visitors and that its treasures are preserved for future generations. The pair are featured in the Trust’s Scotland’s Stories project.

This created 20 soundslides which tell the story of the diversity of the skills of the people needed to tend the places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and their passion for their vital work to conserve and promote our heritage. The Edinburgh-based story features at www.scotlandsstories.com.

Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“The Trust is uniquely placed in Scotland – it’s the only conservation charity which is responsible for looking after the whole panoply of our heritage – built, natural and cultural. Through Scotland’s Stories we hope to give an insight into the vast array of skills and experience that is needed to look after the special places and items in our care. All of this goes on day in, day out and often un-noticed behind the scenes.

“We wanted to pull back the curtain on the world of conservation and shine a light on the talent and dedication of the passionate people who keep Edinburgh’s heritage alive for future generations.”

The project is intended to raise public awareness of what’s involved in caring for the nation’s heritage and encouraging people to talk about it too, as outlined in the Trust’s strategy Securing the future of our past, published in August 2011.

The soundslides were created by Interpretaction, a Black Isle-based heritage interpretation consultancy which works throughout the UK and in Europe. It brought together an expert team combining exceptional photography with high-quality audio-recording and film-making.

Director Verity Walker said:
“I have to confess that I am no great housewife – I do not have time to be – but even I picked up some helpful hints on housekeeping from the two days our Interpretaction team spent at The Georgian House and Gladstone’s Land. Pat Wigston and her team are far from being mere ‘house elfs’ as they put it – they are the magic which enables the National Trust for Scotland’s properties to be so immaculately presented and conserved, on a daily basis.”

People can upload their own stories about Trust  

Compositor Gen Harrison and her team, including printer Tony Niepold and volunteers Eric Deane and Bill Murray, all ensure that the presses at Robert Smail’s Printing Works in the Borders town are still operational and producing commercial works. Theirs is one of 20 stories featured in the Trust’s Scotland’s Stories project.

Scotland’s Stories created soundslides to tell the story of the diversity of the skills of the people needed to tend the places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and their passion for their vital work to conserve and promote our heritage. The Innerleithen story features at www.scotlandsstories.com.

Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“The Trust is uniquely placed in Scotland – it’s the only conservation charity which is responsible for looking after the whole panoply of our heritage – built, natural and cultural. Through Scotland’s Stories we hope to give an insight into the vast array of skills and experience that is needed to look after the special places and items in our care. All of this goes on day in, day out and often un-noticed behind the scenes.

“We wanted to pull back the curtain on the world of conservation and shine a light on the talent and dedication of the passionate people who keep Innerleithen’s heritage alive for future generations.”

The project is intended to raise public awareness of what’s involved in caring for the nation’s heritage and encouraging people to talk about it too, as outlined in the Trust’s strategy Securing the future of our past, published in August 2011.

The soundslides were created by Interpretaction, a Black Isle-based heritage interpretation consultancy which works throughout the UK and in Europe. It brought together an expert team combining exceptional photography with high-quality audio-recording and film-making.

Director Verity Walker said:
“Never before had Gen Harrison or any of the printworks staff heard all the historic printing presses at Smail’s operated simultaneously – it was deafening!”

People can upload their own stories about Trust properties, their visits and experiences there at a dedicated Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ScotlandsStories
 

Sir Tam Dalyell and his wife Kathleen who still live at the historic Linlithgow estate which has been the site of the Dalyell family home since 1612 explain why the house was passed into the care of the conservation charity and what it’s like living and working in the family home as a result. Sir Tam also shares the story of some of the fascinating Dalyells who walked the halls before him. Theirs is one of 20 stories featured in the Trust’s Scotland’s Stories project.

Scotland’s Stories created soundslides to tell the story of the diversity of the skills of the people needed to tend the places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and their passion for their vital work to conserve and promote our heritage. The Dalyell’s story features at: www.scotlandsstories.com.

Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“The Trust is uniquely placed in Scotland – it’s the only conservation charity which is responsible for looking after the whole panoply of our heritage – built, natural and cultural. Through Scotland’s Stories we hope to give an insight into the vast array of skills and experience that is needed to look after the special places and items in our care. All of this goes on day in, day out and often un-noticed behind the scenes.

“We wanted to pull back the curtain on the world of conservation and shine a light on the talent and dedication of the passionate people who keep their heritage alive for future generations.”

The project is intended to raise public awareness of what’s involved in caring for the nation’s heritage and encouraging people to talk about it too, as outlined in the Trust’s strategy Securing the future of our past, published in August 2011.

The soundslides were created by Interpretaction, a Black Isle-based heritage interpretation consultancy which works throughout the UK and in Europe. It brought together an expert team combining exceptional photography with high-quality audio-recording and film-making.

Director Verity Walker said:
“Tam and Kathleen Dalyell gave us a marvellously hospitable interview in their hall in front of a roaring fire, as Mike Bolam’s photographs show.”

People can upload their own stories about Trust properties, their visits and experiences there at a dedicated Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ScotlandsStories
 

Ben Notley who is the property manager for the Trust’s properties in North Perthshire – Dunkeld, The Hermitage and Killiecrankie - shares the myriad of tasks that come with the role of property manager and explains what makes working for Scotland’s largest conservation charity so important. In the second piece, pupils from Fortrose Academy in Ross-shire then tell the story of the Jacobite uprising for the Trust’s Scotland’s Stories project.

This created 20 soundslides which tell the story of the diversity of the skills of the people needed to tend the places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and their passion for their vital work to conserve and promote our heritage. The stories feature at www.scotlandsstories.com.

Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“The Trust is uniquely placed in Scotland – it’s the only conservation charity which is responsible for looking after the whole panoply of our heritage – built, natural and cultural. Through Scotland’s Stories we hope to give an insight into the vast array of skills and experience that is needed to look after the special places and items in our care. All of this goes on day in, day out and often un-noticed behind the scenes.

“We wanted to pull back the curtain on the world of conservation and shine a light on the talent and dedication of the passionate people who keep Perthshire’s heritage alive for future generations.”

The project is intended to raise public awareness of what’s involved in caring for the nation’s heritage and encouraging people to talk about it too, as outlined in the Trust’s strategy Securing the future of our past, published in August 2011.

The soundslides were created by Interpretaction, a Black Isle-based heritage interpretation consultancy which works throughout the UK and in Europe. It brought together an expert team combining exceptional photography with high-quality audio-recording and film-making.

Director Verity Walker said:
“People on the outside of the National Trust for Scotland might think that the properties, especially countryside ones, in some way manage themselves. Property Manager Ben Notley showed us in his enthusiastic and good-humoured way just how wrong this assumption is. Part of The Jacobite Road was shot at Killiecrankie, too, with our gallant photographer Mike Bolam rushing headlong down the steep slope, his shutter clicking automatically, only stopping just short of a plunge into the river!”

People can upload their own stories about Trust properties, their visits and experiences there at a dedicated Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ScotlandsStories
 

Weaver Christine Macleod makes tartan the traditional way at the humble cottage. Every year, she creates a brand new design and gifts her creations to partner properties across the National Trust for Scotland. Over the years, she has created curtains and a bedspread for the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway and cushions for Canna House in the Inner Hebrides. Hers is one of 20 stories featured in the Trust’s Scotland’s Stories project.

Scotland’s Stories created soundslides to tell the story of the diversity of the skills of the people needed to tend the places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and their passion for their vital work to conserve and promote our heritage. The Kilbarchan story features at www.scotlandsstories.com.

Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“The Trust is uniquely placed in Scotland – it’s the only conservation charity which is responsible for looking after the whole panoply of our heritage – built, natural and cultural. Through Scotland’s Stories we hope to give an insight into the vast array of skills and experience that is needed to look after the special places and items in our care. All of this goes on day in, day out and often un-noticed behind the scenes.

“We wanted to pull back the curtain on the world of conservation and shine a light on the talent and dedication of the passionate people who keep Kilbarchan’s heritage alive for future generations.”

The project is intended to raise public awareness of what’s involved in caring for the nation’s heritage and encouraging people to talk about it too, as outlined in the Trust’s strategy Securing the future of our past, published in August 2011.

The soundslides were created by Interpretaction, a Black Isle-based heritage interpretation consultancy which works throughout the UK and in Europe. It brought together an expert team combining exceptional photography with high-quality audio-recording and film-making.

Director Verity Walker said:
“The Interpretaction team found their visit to the Weaver’s Cottage fascinating. We were particularly interested by the beautifully symbolic blanket which was woven by Christine Macleod, who learned her trade from the last of the Kilbarchan weavers, for the bed in the fantastic new Robert Burns Birthplace Centre in Alloway. Anyone visiting there should nip up to Kilbarchan too, as it is very much part of the story.”

People can upload their own stories about Trust properties, their visits and experiences there at a dedicated Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ScotlandsStories
 

The crofters share the challenges and appeal of the crofting lifestyle in 2012, while Iain Turnbull who manages the estate for the Trust explains how the conservation charity have been supporting crofters on the Balmacara Estate which has nine crofting townships. The film is part of the Trust’s Scotland’s Stories project.

This created 20 soundslides which tell the story of the diversity of the skills of the people needed to tend the places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and their passion for their vital work to conserve and promote our heritage. The full set can be viewed at: www.scotlandsstories.com.

Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“The Trust is uniquely placed in Scotland – it’s the only conservation charity which is responsible for looking after the whole panoply of our heritage – built, natural and cultural. Through Scotland’s Stories we hope to give an insight into the vast array of skills and experience that is needed to look after the special places and items in our care. All of this goes on day in, day out and often un-noticed behind the scenes.

“We wanted to pull back the curtain on the world of conservation and shine a light on the talent and dedication of the passionate people who keep Wester Ross’s heritage alive for future generations.”

The project is intended to raise public awareness of what’s involved in caring for the nation’s heritage and encouraging people to talk about it too, as outlined in the Trust’s strategy Securing the future of our past, published in August 2011.

The soundslides were created by Interpretaction, a Black Isle-based heritage interpretation consultancy which works throughout the UK and in Europe. It brought together an expert team combining exceptional photography with high-quality audio-recording and film-making.

Director Verity Walker said:
“How many people imagine crofting as an idyllic escape to the countryside? As the Interpretaction team learned on site, it’s far from it. In our short and beautiful film made by David Ness and Stephen Wiseman, crofters talk about their lives, both realistically about the hardships, and with great affection for their traditional way of life.”

People can upload their own stories about Trust properties, their visits and experiences there at a dedicated Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ScotlandsStories
 

Georgia Conolly is the marine ranger at the St Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve. Her diverse role helps to balance the needs of everyone who uses the area for industry and leisure and helps ensure that the special marine environment which makes the area so special is protected for the future. Hers is one of 20 stories featured in the Trust’s Scotland’s Stories project.

Scotland’s Stories created the soundslides to tell the story of the diversity of the skills of the people needed to tend the places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and their passion for their vital work to conserve and promote our heritage. The St Abbs story features at
www.scotlandsstories.com.

Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“The Trust is uniquely placed in Scotland – it’s the only conservation charity which is responsible for looking after the whole panoply of our heritage – built, natural and cultural. Through Scotland’s Stories we hope to give an insight into the vast array of skills and experience that is needed to look after the special places and items in our care. All of this goes on day in, day out and often un-noticed behind the scenes.

“We wanted to pull back the curtain on the world of conservation and shine a light on the talent and dedication of the passionate people who keep St Abbs’ heritage alive for future generations.”

The project is intended to raise public awareness of what’s involved in caring for the nation’s heritage and encouraging people to talk about it too, as outlined in the Trust’s strategy Securing the future of our past, published in August 2011.

The soundslides were created by Interpretaction, a Black Isle-based heritage interpretation consultancy which works throughout the UK and in Europe. It brought together an expert team combining exceptional photography with high-quality audio-recording and film-making.

Director Verity Walker said:
“We wanted to get some of the sights and sounds of St Abbs Head from the sea rather than from the land. Boatman Paul from Dive St Abbs took us out in a nice calm sea and we were recording away and then rounded the Head and wham! The wind and waves belted us. Georgia Conolly the Marine Ranger was ready for it, but my own team was all over the place, hanging on and roaring with laughter as the boat kicked up and down on the waves.”

People can upload their own stories about Trust properties, their visits and experiences there at a dedicated Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ScotlandsStories
 

It’s the venue for a series of workshops on transforming your old materials into beautiful rugs for your home.

Staff and volunteers at the National Trust for Scotland property will be demonstrating how to make the very best use of old clothes or unwanted materials. You can create some lovely rag rugs using traditional craft techniques which date back centuries, and once learnt you can broaden your horizons to other home accessories. Amaze yourself at the patterns you can create!

Meanwhile, take a look around at the interior of this first floor flat and discover life in a typical tenement. Step back in time and enjoy the many original features that remain including gas lamps and kitchen range.

Starting in May, the workshops are held regularly throughout the summer so you can perfect your skills. These are hands-on events, and a lot of fun.

Times: 13.00 -17.00

Dates: 5 and 6 May
2 and 3 June
7 and 8 July
4 and 5 Aug
1 and 2 Sep

Workshops are included in the admission prices:

Adults £6, Family £16, 1 x Parent £11, Concessions £5
Free to members.

For more information, call 0844 493 2197
 

Stopping in first at the award-winning Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, Mr Russell will tour the fantastic new facilities with Museum Director Nat Edwards and sit in on an education visit with first and second year pupils from Govan High School in Glasgow.

He will then travel to Culzean Castle and Country Park near Maybole where he will meet with a visiting school from Northern Ireland and tour the castle.

Mr Russell attended school in Ayrshire and volunteered at Culzean for a spell in his youth.

Mr Russell, Kate Mavor, National Trust for Scotland Chief Executive and Esther Rutter, Learning Manager at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum will be available for photos with Govan High School pupils.
 

Alison Burke, Property Manager for Drum Castle said:

“Join us for our May Day celebrations! We’ll be making hats in the craft room that you can wear at the tea party. On top of the tea party there will outdoor games on the lawn, traditional Morris dancers and a plant sale in the courtyard.”

Tickets cost £4 for adults, £2 for children, £10 for a family and £2 for concessions.

Free entry to the castle and garden is included in the price of the ticket.

The celebrations run from 13.00- 16.00.

For any further information please call 0844 4932161.

Drum’s combination of a 13th-century square tower, a Jacobean mansion house and the additions of the Victorian lairds make Drum unique among Scottish castles.

Inside, enjoy superb furniture, fine paintings and magnificent views from the battlements of the Forest of Drum and the countryside beyond.

Outside, explore the beautiful Garden of Historic Roses, woodland trails and a children's playground.
 

The day is organised as part of the Scotland’s Gardens Scheme which supports gardens across the country.
Perth’s Branklyn Garden, which is owned and cared for by the conservation charity is described as "the finest two acres of private garden in the country". It contains an outstanding collection of plants particularly rhododendrons, alpine, herbaceous and peat-loving plants, which attract gardeners and botanists from all over the world. Branklyn has four National Collections, including the famous Meconopsis, the blue poppy.
Tea and scones will be served on the patio in support of the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens (weather permitting).

The garden is open from 10.00 until 17.00 16.00. For more information, contact 0844 493 2193.

For more information on the Trust gardens taking part in Gardens Days, visit www.nts.org.uk.
 

The spectacular William Adam-designed house will form a fitting backdrop to the fair, which will be held in Haddo House Hall on Sunday 12 August between 10am and 4pm.

Around thirty stalls are available, with the stunning backdrop and enthusiastic visitors expected to make for a splendid day.

For more information about how to exhibit, or for more details, please contact Christina Wright on 0844 493 2179/ cwright@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-opened to the public for guided tours on 6 April. The gardens and grounds are open daily.
 

The performance of Patrick Prior’s ‘The Man Who Left the Titanic’ comes after several weeks of events to commemorate the centenary of the sinking of the ship.

The production by Isosceles in association with Useful Idiots looks at the story of Bruce Ismay, Managing Director of the White Star Line who was aboard the Titanic on 15 April 1912. He survived the disaster, getting into a lifeboat and sailed away from the stricken ship.

'The Man Who Left the Titanic' evokes that terrible voyage and asks whether Bruce Ismay only did what any of us might have done in the same circumstances, or should his actions that night consign his name to infamy.

Property Manager Julie Lorimer said:

“This production is very timely, as the centenary events have been taking place over the last few weeks and will give us all the chance to understand how people make choices when faced with life and death.”

Tickets cost £9 for adults, £7 for children and £25 for a family can be bought online at www.nts.org.uk/Events/Ticket-Date/1739/ or by calling 0844 493 2179.

The performance takes place in the Haddo Concert Hall which was built in the 19th century. Haddo House has a long tradition of performance – the Haddo House Choral and Operatic Society have operated from the hall since the late 19th century.

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.
 

For those living or visiting the Cairngorms, however, the National Trust for Scotland team at Mar Lodge Estate is offering three early morning opportunities to get up as close and personal as possible without disturbing the birds. The aim of these guided trips is to sight the strikingly handsome males, or blackcock, strutting their stuff, as they attempt to see off the competition and woo the ladies - behaviour known as lekking.

According to Mar Lodge head ranger, Peter Holden: “Every day at dawn around this time of year, blackcocks lek. They fan their jet black tails, dramatically revealing the brilliant white feathers underneath, while dancing and feinting with their peers. This extravagant gesturing counts for more than winning the top prize for showing off. That’s because the females, known as greyhens, watch from the side-lines, hoping to meet their new mate. It’s a thrilling sight.”

Great care is taken not to frighten the birds during the lek, with rangers leading no more than eight guests on a quiet, low profile stalk-in. Guests are encouraged to bring binoculars and cameras to capture the action from a discreet distance.

Peter Holden concludes: “It’s certainly a very early start, but for those prepared to brave a cold Highland dawn, it’s a wonderful way of building up an appetite for the traditional hearty breakfast served in the grand surroundings of the Mar Lodge dining room on our return!”

Three mornings have been set aside for dawn watches: Saturday, 21 April; Friday, 27 April and Thursday, 3 May. It costs £25 per head, with each trip limited to a maximum of eight. To book a place, call Peter on 01339 720164 or email him at pholden@nts.org.uk. Subject to availability, it may be possible to arrange an alternative blackgame dawn watch for parties of three or more.
 

The intriguing film shows Crathes Castle as a convalescence home for Second World War soldiers, but it also has some fascinating images of the garden as it was including some rare coloured footage of the walled garden in all its glory.

Over the past few months work has been underway to renovate the show borders in the walled garden, improving the look and range of plants.

Another major change is to the bank of rhododendron and laurel adjacent to the castle. This area covers approximately two acres and is now coming towards the end of its natural life. The work started in November 2011 with 25 Trust Conservation Volunteers spending a day starting the clearance process.

Chris Wardle, Head Gardener for Crathes Castle said:

“The plan for this area is to rejuvenate the plantings to restore the original feel of the area as it was in the mid 1800s. We will then create a new viewpoint which will be accessible to all and allow views of the walled garden and the hills beyond.”

Crathes Castle, Garden and Estate near Banchory is one of the most beautiful and best preserved castles in Scotland, set against a magnificent garden. Home to the Burnetts of Leys for over 350 years this is a must see for any visitor to the north-east of Scotland.
 

This National Trust for Scotland property has hardly changed since its construction and includes features such as a ‘hingin’ lum’ and box beds. Visitors can not only get a glimpse of life in the 19th century but also discover how the longhouse has been restored and preserved.

Once home to at least three generations of the Robertson family – the last leaving in the 1960s, this longhouse is also a fascinating piece of architectural history now replicated by modern day designers.

In a building next door there’s an opportunity to discover more about the family who lived in the house from a collection of their working clothes and ‘Sunday Best’ found there.

Property manager at Moirlanich, Helen Cole, enjoys seeing visitors taking a trip back in time:

“The volunteers from the Killin Heritage Society, who staff the property, often have their own personal recollections of the house which really brings a visit alive.”

The Longhouse, near Killin, is open from 1 May until 30 Sep, Wednesdays and Sundays 2-5pm.

More information is available on: 0844 493 2136
 

Damon Powell, Head Gardener said:

“Our gardeners will dig your chosen plants up, bag them ready for you to take home to put in the perfect spot in your garden and then enjoy their flowering.”

The sale will take place between 11.00 and 16.00.

Castle Fraser is one of the grandest of the Scottish baronial tower houses. Begun in 1575, the present castle contains an evocative Great Hall, fine furniture and many Fraser family portraits.

Throughout the estate you can enjoy the beautiful 18th-century walled & woodland gardens and the extensive woodland trails.

For further information please call 01330 833380.
 

In the April session he’ll concentrate on the basics of developing an herbaceous border, to maximize colour and effect.

This practical session will include the lifting, dividing and growing of herbaceous plants, taking you through what is required in each season.

The Crathes gardens and estate are testament to the skills of the team there, and the borders are especially notable. Chris is keen to pass on that expertise:

“We have some inspiring gardens here at Crathes and there’s a lot we can pass on to amateur gardeners.”

Numbers attending are limited to 15, so booking is essential.

Get ready to be inspired on Saturday 21 April between 13.00 and 16.00
The cost is £20 per person.

Anyone signing up for all three workshops in the series receives a 10 per cent discount.

For bookings and more information, phone 0844 493 2166.
 

The exhibition, from Tuesday 10 April to Sunday 15 April, shows the contrasting styles of the two artists, combining the vibrant and colourful, as well as the delicate and dramatic.

Janet Dyer is a botanical illustrator and her daughter, Nicola Plummer, paints a range of subjects including landscapes, flowers and coastal towns.

Nicola was born and brought up in Edinburgh. Her love of painting and interest in nature likely stems from her botanist father and her mother’s art works - an enthusiasm she shares with primary school children, in her work as an Outdoor Learning co-ordinator, when she is not painting.

A graduate of Edinburgh College of Art in the 1980s with an employment history ranging from the National Museum of Scotland to the Scout Association, she is now married and living in Cornwall with her husband and three children, drawing inspiration for her painting from the Cornish coastline and frequent visits to Scotland.

Janet, meanwhile, is originally from Oxford and worked for some years as a plant illustrator in line drawing at the Herbarium of the University of Oxford and at the Royal Botanic Gardens (RBGE), Edinburgh. She later changed direction and trained for the church and became one of the first women priests in the Scottish Episcopal Church.

More recently, Janet achieved a Distinction for her two-year Diploma of Botanical Illustration at RBGE, her special subject being “Non-native plant invaders”. In 2011 she gained a Gold medal for her entry at the Royal Caledonian Botanical Images exhibition at Ingilston. Her plant paintings are to be exhibited at the Royal Horticultural Show in London in 2013.

Nicola outlined the work they would be exhibiting in Edinburgh:

“The Plantscapes exhibition will include closely detailed, full colour botanical watercolour paintings and prints by Janet and sweeping landscapes with drifts of wild flowers, executed in acrylic, by myself. Both styles are very different but, I think, complement each other. Prints, cards and originals will be for sale”.

Janet and Nicola will be in attendance throughout the free exhibition, which runs from 10am – 5pm each day. For further details, please call 0844 493 2120.
 

As well as tours of the magnificent Victorian lodge and ballroom, the Braemar team is laying on video presentations and an exhibition of photographs and paraphernalia from by-gone days on the estate. For those with a passion for puzzles and chocolate, there’s the Cadbury Easter Egg Trail. Other children’s activities include a face mask and finger puppet workshop.

The Open Day presents a great opportunity for brides-to-be and their grooms to meet the experts to find out how Mar Lodge can provide the perfect wedding venue. According to David Frew, property manager at Mar Lodge Estate: “We’re teaming up with some of our regular, trusted caterers, florists, photographers and outfitters to showcase Mar Lodge as the ideal place to celebrate getting married.

“Mar Lodge is not only one of Scotland’s favourite wedding venues, it’s also a party planner’s dream. We host events and conferences throughout the year, accommodating over 60 guests in self-catering rooms or apartments in a range of estate properties. Our hospitality staff will be available this coming Sunday to answer questions and to offer tours.”

Mar Lodge Estate conservationists and rangers will also be on hand to explain how their work is helping to restore the ancient Caledonian pinewood habitat to some of the estate’s 70,000 acres, as well as to encourage responsible access to this beautiful part of the Cairngorms.

Entry to the Mar Lodge Estate Open Day on Sunday, 8 April is free to members of the National Trust for Scotland and to those under 16. For non-members, there’s a charge of £3, which is refundable for visitors joining NTS on the day. Home-made soup, tea and coffee will also be available for those working up an appetite.

 

The winter season has drawn to a close with awards and presentations but the team at the National Trust for Scotland’s South Ayrshire property are getting ready for their Easter events.

The last meeting saw the presentation of amongst other things, the Young Naturalist of the Year and Tadpole of the Year. But the members were also out spotting signs of spring – from slimy frogspawn to gambolling lambs and dancing daffodils to smelly wild garlic. Their fun outdoors was then rewarded with a sausage and burger feast at the Visitors Centre.

If any youngsters, aged 6 to 12 years, would like to join in the fun, and start learning about wildlife with expert guidance, then the next meetings are during the Easter holidays. It’s an ideal opportunity to get out and explore.

Meetings are Wed 11 and Thurs 12 April at the Visitors Centre.

Summer Memberships cost £10, and also includes summer events in July and August.

For more information call the ranger office: 0844 493 2148
 

Learning Manager for Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Esther Rutter said:

“Young explorers will follow the trail around the estate, collecting clues on the way to solve the puzzle and win a Cadbury Easter egg. As well as the trail we’ll have face painting, games, and much more across the three days.

“You will turn into a detective for the weekend as you hunt for fairies, pirates and other characters from J M Barrie’s Never Land in our Cadbury Easter Egg Trail.”

The trail runs from 12.00-16.00 on 7 - 9 April.

For further information please call 0844 493 2601.

Along with the Auld Kirk and Brig o’ Doon, the cottage where Burns was born has been combined with the Burns Monument and the new award-winning museum building to form the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Generously supported by the Scottish Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the museum commemorates the life and works of Robert Burns.

Since opening to the public in December 2010, the museum has welcomed close to half a million visitors and has won a series of accolades including being selected as a finalist for the prestigious Art Fund prize, securing a five star rating from VisitScotland and being named as Horace Broon’s ‘new favourite place in Scotland’.
 

The news comes as the garden gets ready for the peak visitor season once again.

As part of the National Trust for Scotland’s Five Year Strategy, published in August 2011, its pledge to carry out a series of top-level projects. These would be seen as exemplars for the entire organisation, showing how to look at the potential of properties and plan for their successful future in a whole new way.

Inverewe Garden is the second project which will get underway in late 2012. The first is Brodick Castle and Country Park on Arran.

Trust Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“Inverewe Garden is a real treasure and is very important to the Trust, to the local area and to Scotland’s heritage. However, we know it can be so much more. As a starting point, we already have a feasibility study funded by generous donors. This signature project will enable us to work methodically, to identify all the potential that we have at Inverewe and figure out a way to make it the very best it can be. We’ll be working creatively, with people from inside the Trust, the community and experts from a wide range of spheres to help us find the best way forward for the garden.”

Established by Osgood McKenzie in 1862, Inverewe is a stunning coastal garden, benefiting for the warm influence of the North Atlantic drift. The garden is planted with a huge array of exotic and native plants, including Chinese rhododendrons, Himalayan blue poppies and Mediterranean rock roses.

Property Manager Roy Dowsett said:

“This is a very exciting year for Inverewe – we are pleased that we will be trailblazing on behalf of the Trust and Scottish heritage as a signature project. And we are getting ready for a busy summer season. The garden is already looking great – Spring is on its way and the buds are starting to pop open as we speak.”

Inverewe Garden is open daily from 10.00am until 4.00pm, or sunset if earlier. The Visitor Centre and shop are open daily from 10.00am until 4.00pm from 1 April, with seasonal variations.
 

The news comes as the property gets ready for the peak visitor season once again.

As part of the National Trust for Scotland’s Five Year Strategy, published in August 2011, it pledged to carry out a series of top-level projects. These would be seen as exemplars for the entire organisation, showing how to look at the potential of properties and plan for their successful future in a whole new way.

Brodick Estate on Arran is leading the way with this work and will be followed by Inverewe Garden in Wester Ross towards the end of 2012. The project team will be lead by heritage specialist Jonathan Bryant.

Trust Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“Brodick Estate is often described as Scotland in miniature, and in fact it can be viewed as the Trust in miniature too. It was the obvious choice as our first ‘Signature Project’ as it encompasses everything that the Trust cares for on a national scale from fine art collections to mountains, all on one island.

“This place is a real treasure and is of enormous significance in terms of Scottish heritage to the Trust and to the local area. However, we know it can be so much more. This signature project will enable us to work methodically, to identify all the potential that we have at Brodick and work out how to make it the very best it can be. We’ll be working creatively, with people from inside the Trust, the community and experts from a wide range of backgrounds to help us find the best way forward.”

Accepted by the nation in lieu of estate duty it was in turn accepted by the Trust at the request of the Treasury in the late 1950s, Brodick Castle was one the home of the Dukes of Hamilton and is a fine example of a Scottish country house and hunting lodge with over 800 years of history. It is filled with fine art, including the exquisite Beckford Collection. It boasts fine gardens and is especially renowned for its rhododendrons. Set in the magnificent Brodick Country Park at the foot of Goatfell (which was gifted to the Trust by Lady Jean Fforde), there are stunning woodland walks and hill climbs where the views of Arran can be fully appreciated.

Property Manager Ken Thorburn said:

“This is a very exciting year for Brodick Castle – we are pleased to be trailblazing on behalf of the Trust and Scottish heritage as a signature project. And we are getting ready for a busy summer season. The castle is spick and span and the gardens are already looking great, the wildlife is becoming more active again – spring is on its way.”

Brodick Castle is open daily from 11.00am until 4.00pm from 1 April to end October. The Country Park is open daily all year round.

The country park is the venue for Easter fun as it hosts a Cadbury Easter Egg Trail on Sunday 8 April.
 

Helen Cole, Property Manager for Ben Lawers said:

“Inspired by the darkness, we will be looking at some of the constellations that can be seen in the sky at this time of year. If we manage to get a clear night we will be out spotting but we will also be telling stories that the constellations have inspired in both myth and legend.”

The event is free however donations to the Trust will be gratefully received.

If you are interested, join the Ben Lawers team at the National Trust for Scotland office in Lynedoch on the main street in Killin at 19.30. The event will run until 21.30.

Bring warm clothing.

For any further information please call 0844 4932136.
 

The Duck Race has been held at Barry Mill for a number of years and has proved to be an extremely popular event.

Peter Ellis, Property Manager for Barry Mill said:

“This is our most successful event that we hold at this property with up to a quarter of our annual visitors in one day! If the weather is favourable many families come and bring a picnic – there is a great family atmosphere.

“Due to the popularity of the event we actually run a number of successive races and the last couple of years we ran a total of 20 throughout each afternoon with 30 individually numbered yellow plastic ducks per race – a total of 600 ducks on the day.”

Each duck will cost £1.

The races will take place between 12.00 and 17.00 on 8 April.

The event is kindly supported by Friends of Barry Mill.

There will be special admission charges to the Mill costing £4.50 for adults, with children going for free,

For any further information please call Peter Ellis on 0844 4932140 or email pellis@nts.org.uk.
 

The museum, which explores the life and works of one of Scotland’s most eminent geologists and writer, reopens on 1 April. In May, Property Manager Dr Alix Powers-Jones will celebrate her first anniversary at the museum.

Alix said:

“The museum is a must-see for anyone interested in geology or fossils and for those interested in stories and local legends. Hugh Miller’s work in the area was ground breaking. With our extended opening hours this season, we hope to introduce even more visitors to his story. This is a small property with a BIG story!”

As well as the museum and its exhibitions and the iconic thatched fisherman’s cottage where Hugh Miller was born, the property also boasts an award-winning garden.

Hugh Miller’s Birthplace Cottage & Museum is open daily from 1 April until 30 September, from noon until 17.00 and on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday throughout October, also from noon until 17.00.
 

Staff and volunteers have been hard at work over winter taking care of the Alexander Thomson-designed house. The dining room floor has been repaired and the delicate conservation work to reveal more of the elaborate paintwork in the dining room has continued.

And to help make a visit to Holmwood even more interesting, the team are working with Architecture students from Strathclyde University to create a brand new exhibition which will go on show this summer.

A new programme for schools has proven to be a big hit and the house will welcome many school pupils from March to June.

Acting Property Manager Julie Gilliland said:

“This is going to be a very busy season for Holmwood – we have lots of plans for the property and will be offering a packed programme of events this summer. It all starts at Easter with the Cadbury Ester Egg Trails. Then, we’ll be taking inspiration from both the Year of Creative Scotland and the Olympics to offer exciting events.

“We’re also hoping to work with the Scottish Storytelling Centre to get young people more involved in the telling the stories of their community and its heritage.”

Like many National Trust for Scotland places, the vital conservation work that is carried out at Holmwood would not be possible without the contribution of a team of volunteers.

Julie continued:

“This year to say thank you to the dedicated people who have given so much time and talents we are having a ceremony to present our volunteers with a certificate to recognise their long service. We have a committed team here and will presenting awards for between five years and all the way up to 25 years service.

And as ever, if you are interested in getting involved with this wonderful team of volunteers, we are always looking for new people. Please get in touch.”

Holmwood reopens on 1 April.

For full information about the events programme, visit www.nts.org.uk/events.
 

Both properties reopen to the public on 1 April. At Kellie Castle, the stunning castle, dating from the 14th century, which was once the home of the Earls of Kellie is planning a packed programme of events in the coming months.

Property Manager Roger Brown said:

“The fun at Kellie begins over the Easter weekend with a Cadbury Easter Egg Trail on 8 and 9 April. Then celebrate some of Fife’s most fabulous gardens with a joint garden open day with Balcaskie House at the end of June. Over the summer, there will be special chef events, garden talks and a children’s event celebrating the Olympics.”

Meanwhile Hill Of Tarvit, one of the finest Edwardian properties in Scotland, is ready to share its genteel interiors, including its interesting collection of porcelain, art and golf memorabilia with visitors once again.

Roger continued:

“Visitors will also have plenty of outdoor events to choose from here at Hill of Tarvit. The Cadbury Easter Egg Trail runs on 8 and 9 April, then some fine Italian sports cars will be on show on 27 May, and we have open air theatre to enjoy in July. We’re also hosting another Marie Curie fun run this August.”

New for 2012 at the Hill of Tarvit is the opening of Hatters and Co, a new Edwardian Tearoom and Eatery; and the Kingarrock Hickory Golf Course opens for play on 6 April – bookings can be made by calling 01334 653421.

Full details of the properties and forthcoming events from www.nts.org.uk or 0844 493 2184/5.
 

The beautiful residence which was once home to Glasgow Boy, EA Hornel reopens to the public on 1 April. The 18th century townhouse is home to a fine selection of works by the esteemed artist and provides an unrivalled insight into his inspirations and working methods. Visitors can see the studio where he worked and the Galloway views that inspired him so much.

Property Manager Sally Eastgate said:

“We are looking forward to a very successful season in Kirkcudbright. It is an honour to share the story of Hornel, his life and works with our visitors.”

The house is the venue for Easter fun on Sunday 8 and Monday 9 April, when it hosts a Cadbury Easter Egg Trail. Look out for other talks and events throughout the year – more details can be found at www.nts.org.uk.

Broughton House also boasts a delightful garden which, like Hornel, is heavily influenced by Japan.
 

The 200 year old Geilston Garden at Cardross opens on 1 April. Visitors can enjoy its wonderful plant displays including its exotic perennials. The new perennial border will be in full flow this year with a rage of colour - newly planted last year, it is being supplemented with a new range of summer flowering Achilleas, Salvias, Echinaceas and Heleniums. Pass by its forty metres of glory as you follow the path down to the walled garden.

The recently-restored 19th century Mackenzie and Moncur glasshouse will also be bursting with beautiful specimens.

In the kitchen garden there are new plots of asparagus and blueberries to add to the extensive range of luscious fruit and vegetables grown for sale.

Adults and children alike will enjoy the Cadbury’s Easter Egg Trail from 6 -9 April. Then later in summer (5 August), there will be a special event in support of Scotland’s Gardens with plants and produce on sale and light refreshments on the lawn.

Geilston Garden is open from 1 April to 31 October, daily from 9.30 to 17.00.
 

Staff and volunteers at the National Trust for Scotland’s Culzean Castle and Country Park are preparing to reopen the castle doors to the public on 29th March. The gardens and grounds are open for visitors all year round.

Property Manager Paul Pomfret said:

“Our stunning clifftop castle, Robert Adams Scottish masterpiece, is one of Ayrshire’s top visitor attractions. Some 200,000 visitors came to the site over the last 12 months.

“Last year, the castle underwent some extensive internal works including the replacement of the carpet on the famous staircase. New technology also proved a big hit, and we were very pleased with the success of our multimedia guides which offer our visitors a whole new experience.

“This year, we are looking forward to welcoming visitors from near and far. We have a packed programme of events lined up, and plans for our excellent Easter events are well underway.”

Out in the gardens and grounds, there are always changes underway. From the stunning formal gardens, tended by award-winning staff to the wilder woodland areas, these provide perfect picnic places, wildlife-watching spots and scenic stops for visitors.

Head Gardener Susan Russell said:

“This year, one of the big projects is to replant the Silver Avenue. This was originally an avenue of Silver Firs planted around 1850 and replaced by Silver Limes in the 1980s. Work to clear and prepare the site is underway, and the new Silver Firs will be planted next year. This will be a lovely addition to the landscape, and will reinstate the original design nicely.”
Some of the 2012 event highlights include:

Cadbury Easter Egg Trail
Sat 7 April - Mon 9 April, 10:30 - 15:30
Follow the trail, collect the clues, solve the puzzle and win a Cadbury Easter egg!
There’ll be extra fun on Sunday and Monday with lots of giant outdoor games, face painters and much more!

Children's Week Events
Wed 11 and Thu 12 April, 10.00am and 1.00pm
Young Naturalists' Club and E.C.O.S. club event week. The week involves a mix of games, trails, crafts and other outdoor activities.
Scotland's Gardens Open Day
Tue 17 July

Join the Head Gardener for a guided walk, in support of Scotland’s Gardens, through Culzean’s beautiful and historic gardens.
The Fountain Garden lies in front of the castle with terraces and herbaceous borders reflecting its Georgian elegance. The extensive country park offers additional gardens, beaches and rock pools, parklands, woodland walks and adventure playground. It also contains fascinating restored buildings contemporary with the castle.
Guided Walk with the Head Gardener at 2:00pm.
For further information, about any of these events, or booking please call 0844 4932149. For full opening information, visit www.nts.org.uk.

 

While the garden is open all year round, it is in spring that it once again bursts into life with its extensive daffodil collection bringing some much needed colour and cheer, after the cold winter months.

The historic garden, which boasts nearly 4000 different plant forms, is an excellent place to enjoy the improving weather and to take inspiration from its diverse and distinct planting areas.

This year, recently-built greenhouse also adds to the experience for visitors, bringing a touch of the Mediterranean and beyond to the Glasgow area, with chilies, aubergines, peppers and tomatoes.

The stunning ‘A’ listed Greenbank House also re-opens for visitors on Sunday 1 April.

There are plenty of events to keep visitors busy over the coming months too. There will be family fun with the Cadbury Easter Egg Trail which takes place from Friday 6 to Monday 9 April.

Daffodil Day on Sunday 15 April, when Greenbank House will be transformed with displays of daffodil blooms from the collection of 600 varieties growing on the property. Garden staff will be on hand to give advice on their care and culture.

And all year round, the garden hosts a series of informative walks with a range of themes for gardeners with all levels of experience. These walks take place on the second Sunday of each month at 14.00.

Greenbank Garden is open daily, all year round from 9.30 until sunset. From 1 April and throughout the summer, the shop and tearoom are open daily from 11.00 until 17.00. The house is open on Sundays from Sunday 1 April until Sunday 28 October.
 

National Trust for Scotland staff and volunteers have been hard at work over the winter period carrying out the preparations needed to make sure that these picturesque places are looking perfect from 1 April onwards.

Staff have been brushing up on their pruning techniques thanks to training from garden volunteer Leonard Best who was formerly a lecturer in horticulture for many years at Askham Bryan College in Yorkshire.

Head Gardener George Gregson said:

“At Priorwood, we have just taken delivery of the hardy nursery stock plant material which will be used within the new woodland garden development at Priorwood. We are very grateful for the support of the Patron’s Club and the Border’s Members Group for their support with this project.”

The other big development for 2012 is the expansion of our orchards at both Priorwood and Harmony Gardens. Over the winter months, new apple, pear, plum and gage trees have been planted.

George continues:

“Trees, stakes, labels and ties have been kindly donated by Trust members and visitors from far and wide. This has meant we can remove elderly tree specimens and instigate a replanting regime which will benefit both gardens.

“Because of the historic significance of our gardens, we need to take great care with any planting activity and are closely advised by our archaeologist.”

Both gardens re-open to the public on 1 April.

At Priorwood Garden, there will be a Cadbury Easter Egg Trail from Friday 6 to Monday 9 April.

For more information about events and activities at these Melrose Gardens, visit www.nts.org.uk.
 

The exciting programme of events gets underway in May with a show from Glasgow-based artist Adrian Wiszniewski. His exhibition The Man Who Loved Women explores the romances of Robert Burns, an area which often intrigues visitors.

The award-winning museum is securing a reputation as a venue for arts and music in Ayrshire, showcasing local talent of all types and hosting artists of the highest possible calibre.

It also already boasts some highly-prestigious artworks onsite, as the Poet’s Path which leads from the museum to the cottage where Burns was born is punctuated by sculptures from Kenny Miller and Timorous Beasties, as well as housing the most important Burns collection in the world.

Museum manager Caroline Glenn said:

“We want the museum to become a focal point for the rich cultural scene in Ayrshire, so we will be hosting a series of exciting exhibitions throughout the year. We’ll also have music and theatre events too and let’s not forget poetry, so whatever art form you enjoy, you can experience it here with us.

“We also have lots of family events organised. Come along for our Easter events programme which is chock-full of fun for everyone.”

The Finding the Never Land Easter Treasure Hunt runs on Saturday 7, Sunday 8 and Monday 9 April.

For more information about events and activities, visit www.burnsmuseum.org.uk.

Along with the Auld Kirk and Brig o’ Doon, the cottage where Burns was born has been combined with the Burns Monument and the new award-winning museum building to form the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Generously supported by the Scottish Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the museum commemorates the life and works of Robert Burns.

Since opening to the public in December 2010, the museum has welcomed close to half a million visitors and has won a series of accolades including being selected as a finalist for the prestigious Art Fund prize, securing a five star rating from VisitScotland and being named as Horace Broon’s ‘new favourite place in Scotland’.
 

The Dumfries and Galloway site is famous for its garden, but its wildlife too.

Red kites and ospreys are just some of the species that can be spotted this spring at the Threave Estate and its prime location on the banks of the Dee makes it home to a rich range of wildlife including otters and wildfowl.

Threave is also awaiting the return of other regular residents, its colonies of seven species of bat. The garden and estate, which established Scotland’s first ever bat reserve in 2010, is home to hundreds of bats, including the rare Whiskered Bat. Visitors can take part in a bat trail and listen out for the nocturnal mammals as they tour the beautiful gardens and estate.

The famous garden is also bustling with wildlife and bursting into bloom. Red squirrels and the great spotted woodpecker can frequently be seen around the Woodland Garden, and the trees and shrubs are home to many species of birds.

The 24 hectare garden has many outdoor ‘rooms’ - the ‘Secret Garden, Patio Garden with sculptured slate water feature, large rock garden with water cascade and rock pool, Peat garden and Azalea walk. Highlights include: impressive spring flowering daffodil displays, a 1-acre productive walled garden with fruit and vegetable; glasshouse displays of exotic plants, Woodland Gardens, Arboretum, Champion trees herbaceous flowering borders and mixed shrub borders giving colour all year, several ponds with bridges, a new Sculpture garden and children’s play area.

Visit soon to catch its famous daffodil bank in bloom. There are over 200 cultivars of daffodil to see, many of which were planted by Major Gordon in the early 20th century. The star of the stunning daffodil bank is the thousands of Narcissus ‘Southern Gem’, which was registered as a cultivar pre 1913 and is now extremely rare in cultivation. Many other cultivars are naturalised throughout the woodland areas, along with more recent plantings in the beds and lawns. There are miniatures, tall daffodils, all sorts of colour combinations (yellow, white, orange, pink), single-flowered, double-flowered, multi-headed cultivars flowering from February through to May.
Flowering soon, the Chilean fire bush Embothrium coccineum will add a flash of orange-scarlet to the garden with its spider type flowers. Also due to appear soon are the early flowering herbaceous perennials - the yellow Euphorbia palustris.

Also new to the garden this year is the impressive additional glasshouse created to enable Threave’s expert gardeners to carry out their important propagation work. There will be an official opening event in early summer.

From May onwards, the Rhododendron Garden will be in full bloom. Also flowering in May is the unusual Davidia involucrata with its flowers often likened to hankies.

The garden also boasts many wonderful water features to be enjoyed all year round, including the sculptured slate urn cascade, the rock pool cascade and the new lily pond with ornamental wooden bridge walkway.

The Scots Baronial house will also be open for visitors to enjoy this elegant country house, with its fine art collection from 1 April.

Threave has a packed programme of events planned for the summer too. The fun begins this Easter with the Cadbury Easter Egg Trail which runs from Friday 6 until Monday 9 April.

Look out also for A Carpet of Colours: a Galloway Wildflower event in June 2012.

Visit www.nts.org.uk for the full programme of events.
 

The National Trust for Scotland-owned property boasts some of Scotland’s most scenic and tranquil spots, and with a 23km footpath network there are lots of opportunities to enjoy them. Highlights include a chance to see crofting in action and enjoy some stunning species rich wildflower meadows on a walk through the croft lands of Drumbuie. This circular coastal walk also takes in orchid filled heathlands and rich hazel and oak woods. Look out for the elusive otter from the shore!

Another must is a lovely stroll through Collie Mhor, on a recently upgraded path taking you up through this beautiful oakwood with wildflowers, wonderful views and a wealth of wildlife.

Have you ever seen Scottish coral? A walk along the Coral Beach path by Plockton to the north of the estate takes you to a local beauty spot where the white beach is made of more than just sand and the clear water will have you wanting to dip your toes. Pick up a leaflet in one of the Trust information centres at Plockton or Balmacara Square to find out more about the walks and wildlife in the area.

Throughout the summer, a series of events and ranger-guided walks will be put on too. For more details, visit www.nts.org.uk. And the family fun gets underway with a Cadbury Easter Egg Trail which takes place at Balmacara Square on Friday 6 April. The months of May to September will also feature countryside and craft themed events with a local producers market every third Friday of the month called Balmacara Fayre and Square. See local press and posters for details.

The Trust’s Balmacara Estate has eight crofting townships and retains levels of activity that are well above average, particularly on the mainland. Three townships, Drumbuie, Duirinish and Plockton, are particularly interesting with significant amounts of traditional cropping and livestock rearing still being practiced.

 

The National Trust for Scotland-owned cottage where the great thinker was born is open to the public from 31 March until 15 April and then for the summer from 1 June.

Property Manager Richard Clarkson said:

“The house is packed with Carlyle family belongings and is very atmospheric. It provides an unrivalled insight into the early life of one of Scotland’s most influential men.”

The house is open from Friday until Monday over the Easter holidays (31 March to 15 April) and then from 1 June to 30 September.
 

The stunning pink-hued castle which was completed in the 17th century is one of Scotland’s most picturesque places and is rumoured to have provided the inspiration for Disney’s famous pink castle.

After undergoing extensive repairs in 2008 and 2009, the castle, which was once the home of the Forbes-Semphill family, was officially re-opened by His Royal Highness the Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay in June 2010.

Property Manager Alison Burke said:

“Craigievar Castle is an absolute gem. Perfect for aspiring knights and princesses of all ages, it is the place to come and practice your Royal wave. The castle is packed with the history of one of Aberdeenshire’s oldest and most influential families and the woodland trail is beautiful throughout the year with lots of wildlife to spot. It’s a fascinating place to visit and we hope to welcome many visitors over the coming months.”

The castle is the venue for Easter fun, as it hosts a Cadbury Easter Egg Trail from Saturday 7 until Monday 9 April.

A new group has been established in support of Craigievar Castle – the Friends of Craigievar had its inaugural meeting on Thursday 22 March. If you are interested in getting involved, contact 0844 4932174.

The castle reopens on 1 April. For full details and opening times, visit www.nts.org.uk.
 

The £9 million centre, which opened in April 2008, brings the complex and tragic story of the last pitched battle to be fought on British soil to life. It uses the stories and experiences of characters from the Jacobite and Government cause to tell the terrible story of this one hour battle.

Property Manager Deirdre Smyth said:

“We are getting ready for our busiest time of the year at the battlefield and are ready to welcome visitors who want to pay their respects to the many who fell at this important battle. As ever, our onsite experts will be here to share their knowledge and help bring the events of April 1746 to life for visitors of all ages.”

A series of events will run throughout the coming months for visitors, including:

Dr Christopher Duffy will consider this story further at a special talk on Friday 13 April. In Highlander against Redcoat the military historian will share his knowledge of the battle.

Then on 14 April the annual commemorative service run by the Gaelic Society of Inverness takes place at the memorial cairn from 11.00am.

Also on 14 April, the centre is the venue for the Trust’s first ever local assembly event. Beginning at 2.00pm and hosted by Chairman Sir Kenneth Calman, the assembly is the chance to hear more about the conservation work underway at properties across the Highland area and beyond and to learn more about the conservation charity’s work and future plans. To register for the assembly event contact localassemblies@nts.org.uk or call 0844 493 2100.

Last year, a fold of Highland cattle took up residence close to the centre. Since their arrival last summer, they have settled in well. A new addition to the Culloden fold was born recently and this little male calf has been named Leanach.

Deirdre continued:
“We are very grateful to our generous donor for supplying our lovely Highland cows. The visitors love them and they appear to enjoy being photographed. They are an excellent reminder of the link to the old ‘black cattle’ that would have been found all around the area at the time of the battle.”

The centre is open daily from 9.00am until 6.00pm1 April – 30 September.
 

The centre provides a great spot to learn more about the natural and cultural history of this amazing landscape. And the café has a great selection of soups, sandwiches, paninis, cakes, scones and teas and coffees on offer.

In addition, the conservation charity’s Ranger team at Glencoe have put together a packed programme of events for visitors to enjoy over the Easter holidays and on through the summer.

The events will help folk from near and far understand the geology, wildlife and tragic history of the great glen.

Amongst the highlights for the next few months are:

Cadbury Easter Egg Trail
Fri 6 April - Mon 9 April, 10.00 – 16.00
Follow the trail, collect the clues, solve the puzzle and win a Cadbury Easter egg!
As well as the trail, there’ll be face painting and more on Sunday and Monday.
Child: £1

Children's Landrover Safari
Selected dates between Wed 4 April - Wed 31 October, 10.30 – 12.00
A mini safari around the western end of Glencoe - take a ride in our Landrover and hear about the wildlife of Glencoe and if we're lucky spot some too! Find out about Glencoe's past with tales of volcanoes, betrayal and folklore.
Child: £8

The Coffin Trail Walk
Selected dates between Fri 13 April - Fri 12 October, 10.00 – 15.00
A medium-level, all day walk through Glencoe's two lairigs. This hill walk will take you to the heart of Glencoe following a historic coffin trail from Glen Etive through the wild valley of Lairig Eilde. Feel the remoteness of the area, witness stunning views and see red deer grazing on the hill sides.
Adult - £20, child - £10.

Woodland Walk
Selected dates between Sat 28 April - Sat 27 October, 14.00 – 16.00
A low level guided walk through the An Torr woodland. Hear the tale of the Glencoe Massacre and get views through the trees from the legendary Signal Rock. Learn about the geology of Glencoe and some of the fantastic flora that lives here.
Adult: £ 5.00/ Child: £ 2.50

Living History Clansmen Displays by Alba Adventure
Selected dates between Sun 3 June - Sun 2 September, all day
Jacobite history comes to life at Glencoe. Alba Adventure will bring history to life at Glencoe with several presentations throughout the day demonstrating the dress and weaponry of the Jacobite era. Find out how to wear the belted plaid and get a close up view of the fierce weaponry of the period.

And after exploring the glen, the new menu at the visitor centre has some mouth watering treats, including home made soups, toasted paninis, burgers, hot dogs and bacon rolls, for everyone to enjoy.

Glencoe Visitor Centre is open daily from 9.30 to 17.30 during the peak visitor season and from 10.00 to 16.00 for the rest of the year.
 

Over the winter, conservation volunteers have been helping with the clearing up of January storm damage, ongoing habitat management work around the pond and more besides, including a range of tidy-up tasks in the garden to help get it ready for visitors.

The secluded garden which is less than 30 minutes from Edinburgh city centre features a wide range of rare and unusual plants in an informal setting. It also boasts woodland and wildlife areas which are always popular with visitors.

And new for 2012, the garden is offering a packed programme of events for children. For full details of the programme, contact Lothian area ranger Stuart Whittaker on 0844 493 2124.

Inveresk Lodge Garden is open all the year round from 10.00 until 17.00, or dusk if earlier.
 

Over the winter, staff and volunteers have been hard at work caring for the rarest examples of 18th century domestic architecture in the area with a truly unique atmosphere. Visitors are able to see for themselves what ordinary life was like for handloom weavers and their families. It’s a great place for anyone who is interested in life before the industrial revolution or who is on the ancestral research trail. Everyone is welcome to try hand loom weaving on a modern handloom set up alongside the original 200 year old loom.

The original loom can be seen and is prepared to the methods used by 18th century weavers where every stage of making tartan is completed by hand by property manager and weaver Christine Macleod. Throughout the season she intends to focus her work on promoting other Trust properties by producing more “stories in cloth”, personal designs linked to other places in the care of the Trust.

The cottage interior has been given a thorough spring clean ahead of opening and the pretty cottage garden has been tidily prepared by volunteers.

Property Manage Christine Macleod said:

“We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the Weaver’s Cottage this spring, to show them round the cottage and garden. This year the cottage offers the opportunity to learn rag rug making, a centuries-old technique, now very much in vogue; a fantastic way for everyone to recycle clothing and fabrics in the old ways.”

Weaver’s Cottage is hosting a Cadbury Easter Egg Trail on Sunday 8 April from 14.00 until 16.00.

The cottage is open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday from 13.00 until 17.00 from 1 April until 30 September. For more information about events, visit www.nts.org.uk/events.
 

An information event is being held for potential volunteers at Hill of Tarvit Mansion House on Monday 26 March from 14.00 to 16.00.

At Kellie Castle, a similar event is planned for Wednesday 28 March again from 14.00 to 16.00.

Property Manager Roger Brown said:

“We hope that these events will attract people who would like to join our talented team of volunteers and play their part in bringing these Fife treasures to life for our visitors.

“There are lots of opportunities available including guiding, front desk duties, retail and gardening. It would also be excellent to hear from people with sales experience, who could help us recruit new Trust members.

“Volunteers will be joining friendly, welcoming teams and learning about local history and the history of these wonderful places which are such an important part of Fife’s story.”

Anyone interested is welcome to come along or call 0844 493 2185 (Hill of Tarvit) 0844 493 2184 (Kellie Castle) for more information on the opportunities available.
 

The elegant William Adam-designed mansion is one of Aberdeenshire’s top tourist sites, set in the lovely grounds of Haddo Country Park which has recently been awarded £1 million by the Heritage Lottery Fund for its renovation.

With its long history, the house provides the perfect opportunity to learn more about life in days gone by and the daily routines of those living both above and below stairs.

Property Manager Julie Lorimer said:

“Haddo House is packed with treasures for our visitors to enjoy. From its Georgian architecture and refined Victorian interiors, to its stunning art collection and our soon-to-be revamped model train set there is something for everyone. We’ve also got a packed programme of events planned for the summer months, so we hope to see visitors from near and far coming to enjoy those.”

Event highlights include:

Upstairs Downstairs
Thu 5 & 12 April, 14.00 – 15.00
Haddo House is looking to recruit some maidservants and page boys. Join the housekeeper for a tour around the house and experience life working as a servant in a Victorian household.
A costumed tour of the house aimed at children.
Adult: £5/ Child: £5

Cadbury Easter Egg Trail
Sat 7 April - Mon 9 April, 11.00 – 16.00
Follow the trail around the garden, collect the clues, solve the puzzle and win a Cadbury Easter egg.
On Sunday and Monday there’ll be face painting, games and more to enjoy.
£1 per trail. Usual admission prices apply if you’d like to visit the house.

Paranormal Evening
Sat 21 April, 21.00 - midnight
Join former Most Haunted medium, Chris Conway, for a night you will never forget.
Let Chris guide you on a mediumship walkaround of Haddo House, where you as investigators for the evening can find out who from Haddo's past still resides within the walls. Throughout the night you will be taught how to use a variety of paranormal equipment including Flir Thermal Imaging, EVP, video, infrared and digital cameras, K-2 and Gauss EMF Meters and movement sensors.
Adult: £49

By the Seat of Your Pants
Thu 17 May, 19.00
Plutot La Vie’s latest family production ventures into the world of three men and a chair. Nothing to be done and nothing to do, Fritz, Franz and Rudy sit and wait. Expectation! Hope! Boredom! Delight! Not to take things sitting down, they put their best feet forward to make the grade and avoid a kick in the pants.
A hilarious exploration of relationships, slapstick and chairs as three men await their fate By the Seat of Their Pants.
By the Seat of Your Pants is a fast, visual, funny show in a clown style for family audiences.
Adult: £9/ Child: £7/ Family: £25/ Concession: £7.

Ranger Adult Event: Bat evening
Thu 16 August, 20.15 – 21.30
Join us for a brief talk about bats and their lives and then watch the bats fly out of their roost at dusk.
For more information about any of these events, or to make a booking contact 0844 493 2179.
 

The Munro at the start of the West Highland Way is one of Scotland’s most popular walking spots and offers routes to suit walkers of all skill and fitness levels.

As ever, the expert rangers onsite are offering a packed programme of walks and talks. And there is even the chance to learn how to make charcoal.

Property Manager Alasdair Eckersall said:

“Our new charcoal-making courses are proving really popular. It’s a great way to transform invasive and virulent Rhododendron ponticum into charcoal. This is a sustainable and innovative approach to turning a pest into profits which can help fund our conservation work at Ben Lomond. Look out for our demos, or pop by the next time you are planning to fire up the barbeque.”

Events include:

Cadbury Easter Egg Trail
Sat 7 April - Mon 9 April, 10.00 – 16.15
Easter fun in this scenic setting. Follow the trail, collect the clues, solve the puzzle and win a Cadbury Easter egg! £2 per child.
Learn how to make charcoal
Dates between 19 April and 8 June

This two day course will give you the opportunity to participate in charcoal making, and learn how to make it yourself.

This two day residential course will take participants through all the stages of loading, firing and managing a 6ft diameter charcoal kiln, to create charcoal which can be used for BBQ's, or simply as fuel for a stove or open fire. We will also have some fun with smaller scale charcoal making, and all participants will be able to take home some of the resulting charcoal from the large burn. We will be using Rhododendron ponticum for making charcoal, as we have been doing successfully here for the last five years, but will also look at results with other types of wood.
Accommodation is in the very comfortable Ardess Lodge bunkhouse, which has a fully equipped kitchen, a comfortable lounge for socialising (with solid fuel stove), and great drying room facilities.
Price(s): Adult : £ 120.00

The Ardess Hidden History Trail
Wednesdays throughout July and August, 13.00 – 15.00.
Discover the hidden archaeological traces of life in past times on east Loch Lomondside.
These low-level, ranger-guided archaeology walks are suitable for the whole family, and give an opportunity to delve into the history of the Rowardennan area.
The trail passes through a pleasant mix of old and young natural woodland, with great views over Loch Lomond and the surrounding hills. The trail covers 1.5km of woodland path, rough and steep in places but all at low level.
Price(s) - Adult : £ 5.00, child : £ 2.50

Ben Lomond 4 x 4 Drive
Fridays throughout July and August

This is a chance to see Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond from the high road.

As a passenger in the ranger 4X4 vehicle you will travel up a very rough farm track 2 miles up the hill to around 250m altitude, around a quarter of the way up Ben Lomond. There are great vantage points for views both up the hill and down the loch-side, so bring the camera!
There are plenty of opportunities to find out about all aspects of the hill and surrounding area on this ranger guided drive, including natural habitats and wildlife, history and archaeology, and present day management.
Price(s): Adult : £ 20.00/ Child : £ 15.00

For more information or booking of any events, please contact 0844 4932217, or benlomond@nts.org.uk.
 

The House of Dun near Montrose, Angus Folk Museum in Glamis and JM Barrie’s Birthplace in Kirriemuir all re-open to the public in April.

The first to cast off its dust covers is the House of Dun. The stunning Adams’ designed Georgian country house is opening on 31 March.

Property Manager John McKenna said:

“As ever, we have a packed programme of events on offer at the House of Dun. It all kicks off over the Easter weekend with our Cadbury Easter Egg Trail. And also on Good Friday we have a concert featuring Vienna Horn players direct from Austria. We are delighted to welcome back The Vienna Horns to Dun. Their last performance was simply stunning and we are eagerly awaiting their return - if you are a music lover, then this event is a must!”
The two-hour concert starts at 7:30pm, when a selection of traditional Austrian nibbles will be served, with a complementary glass of wine. Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the night – child tickets are £4 and family tickets £20. For further information, please call 01674 810264 or book online at www.nts.org.uk/events.
The Easter Egg Trails run from Good Friday, 6 April to Easter Monday, 9 April from 12 noon till 4pm.

Angus Folk Museum is also getting ready for a busy visitor season. Over the winter months, the museum which gives visitors the chance to learn about Scotland’s rural history and the lives of Scottish people as they make a living from the land has been transformed with new information for visitors and atmospheric soundscapes. The museum has extended its opening hours this year and is open from 11.30am until 4.30pm on Sat, Sun, Mon until 30 June and from 10.30am until 4.30pm every day except Tuesday and Wednesday throughout July and August.

And at JM Barrie’s Birthplace in Kirriemuir, which re-opens on 31 March the team are getting ready to tell the story of one of Scotland’s most popular authors once again.

John continued:

“We’re hoping for another busy season at both the Angus Folk Museum and Barrie’s Birthplace. Although small, these places are packed with the history and heritage of Angus. I hope that people who haven’t visited in a while pop in to see what’s going on this summer – the team will be delighted to have them and share their expert knowledge of these important places.”

Admission to all properties is free for National Trust for Scotland members. Charges apply for non-members.

For full opening and admission details, visit www.nts.org.uk.
 

Over the winter months, the team of staff and volunteers have been hard at work, getting the castle ready to receive visitors once again. Careful conservation work has taken place to protect the intricate plasterwork within the castle and new information for visitors about the art collecting habits of its former residents will be on display in 2012 – amongst the pieces on show are works by Scottish Colourists Cadell, Peploe and Hunter.

Meanwhile out in the grounds, there is a lot for visitors to enjoy, from the absolutely beautiful display of springtime daffodils, to the new adventure playground which is currently being built and the work to create a beautiful wicker windbreak to protect the onsite Pictish stone.

As ever, there is a packed programme of events planned – amongst the highlights for 2012 are:

25 March Sunday lunch served in the drawing room, followed by a concert of early music with Music for a While and special guest Adrian Boorman, counter-tenor. 12.30pm for 1pm. Two courses, coffee and concert. £25 Booking essential.

1 April Wedding Fair: in Marquee - an opportunity to meet a range of wedding suppliers, offering everything for the big day and to see the castle set up for a wedding. 12.00am - 4.00pm. Free entry.

7 - 9 April Cadbury Easter Egg Trails: Cadbury face painters and games area on both the Sunday and Monday, our own face painter on Saturday. 11.00am – 4.00pm. £2 per child.

14 – 15 April Daffodil Festival: Daffodil teas held in marquee from 1.30 – 4.00pm, live music both days, Saturday:- Elgin Strathspey and Reel Society; Sunday:- entertainment by Fochabers Fiddlers. A display of cut flowers “A Host of Golden Daffodils” in the drawing room. There will be daffodil walks with the gardener and her team at £3 per person, proceeds to Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, from 10.30am – 4.30pm each day.

18 May Musical Banquet: “A Feast For Your Ears!” a concert of early music by acclaimed Oxfordshire trio Musical Banquet with Adrian Boorman. 7.30pm Adults £14 Concessions £12.

2 June Royal Jubilee Garden Party: Strawberry teas with musical entertainment. Entertainment by “The Truly Terrible Orchestra”, also Tony Baxter on guitar and vocals . 1.30 – 4.00pm.

1 July Medieval jousting: “The Knights of the Damned” demos at 12.30 and 2.30pm.

12 August Historic Wheels Club annual rally 1.30 – 4.30pm

For full details of all the events planned, booking and more information, contact 0844 493 2156.

The castle is also always on the lookout for keen volunteers to assist with its busy programme of events and visitor care. If you are interested in getting involved, please get in touch at the number above.
 

Gareth Clingan, Property Manager said:

“The castle, gardens and estate are beautiful throughout the year. However for me, spring is especially inspiring and I’m looking forward to welcoming visitors as we approach what is traditionally one of our busiest periods of the year. I’m delighted with the range of activities we have planned for spring and I would urge anyone interested in participating to make sure they book places in advance.”

For children, there are a series of ranger-guided events, including an Easter Holiday Wildlife Quiz, available between 31 March and 15 April, “It’s a Frog’s Life”, a guided walk on Tuesday 3 April, which will include games, crafts and the chance to observe tadpoles and, on Wednesday 4 April, a special guided walk for 3-5 year olds which looks at how the local wildlife reacts to the coming of spring. As well as all this, the Cadbury Easter Egg trail returns to Crathes over the Easter weekend, from Sat 7 to Monday 9 April.

Keen gardeners get the chance to learn how to grow a dazzling herbaceous border at Head Gardener Chris Wardle’s masterclass on Saturday 21 April, whilst on-site activities, including the exciting Go Ape! Tree Top Adventure gives visitors the chance to unleash their inner Tarzan.

On Saturday 16 June we will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the National Trust for Scotland first opening Crathes to the public. As part of the celebrations there will be activities in the garden and a chance to hear more about the castle’s collections from the Trust’s Curator Ian Gow plus more still to be announced. In the garden there will be a new trail where kids of all ages can explore the wonderful walled garden finding the gardeners’ tools and implements and learn what they are used for.

Outside Theatre Company Illyria return to Crathes on Saturday 14 July with the Roald Dahl’s classic The Twits. This is a picnic concert on the lawn not to be missed. Also returning to Crathes this year will be the legendary musical duo of Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham. They will entertain the crowds on the spectacular castle lawn on Saturday 4 August. Tickets can be bought at www.nts.org.uk/events.

The castle itself offers the chance to immerse yourself in its magnificent architecture and history and, for regular visitors, there’s the opportunity to view the impact of the maintenance, repair and conservation work carried out over the winter – and of course no visit to Crathes Castle would be complete without a relaxed stroll through the beautiful walled garden and estate, finishing off by sampling the delicious home baking at the Courtyard Café.

For more information or booking, call 0844 493 2167.
 

Cared for by conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland, Culross is one of Scotland’s finest surviving examples of a 16th and 17th century burgh. Many of the buildings are original, intact and inhabited.

The historic palace, study and townhouse reopen to the public on 1 April.

The properties offer a fascinating insight into life in centuries gone by, including some of the less-savoury elements. An exhibition on witchcraft and its links with Culross will be on show at the palace throughout the visitor season.

The palace is also undergoing crucial conservation work at the moment.

Interim property manager Joanne Churchill said:

“Cement harling is being removed and replaced with an alternative, waterproof option. These steps are intended to protect the building from water damage and preserve its structure and interiors for future generations. Scaffolds are in place around parts of the building, but we are open as usual and looking forward to welcoming visitors from near and far.”

Culross Palace also boasts a beautiful garden complete with medicinal and kitchen herbs and a wide range of produce too. Throughout the summer there will be a series of garden walks – visit www.nts.org.uk/events for more information.

Bessie Bar Tearoom also reopens giving visitors a taste of fabulous homebaking, including some rather adventurous twists on the traditional scone.

For more information, contact 0844 493 2190.
 

With spectacular views across the Firth of Clyde, the Hill House is a visually stunning example of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s domestic architecture and interior design. His reach extended even to the garden, where the apple blossom from late spring onwards is breathtaking.

The Hill House’s first event of the season will be a Cadbury’s Easter Egg Hunt from 6 to 9 April, when children will be able to follow the clues which lead round the Hill House garden.

Property Manager Lorna Hepburn said:

“The work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh has a powerful pull over people, so we are looking forward to a very busy season this summer. A trip to The Hill House provides visitors with a rare chance to see one of Mackintosh’s domestic designs. It’s also a chance to learn more about the work required to care for such an unconventional and cutting edge design.”

The Hill House is open from 1 April to 31 October, daily from 13.30 to 17.30. Last admission to the house is at 5pm

Further details of forthcoming events will be available on www.nts.org.uk
 

Kate Sampson, Head Ranger for Brodick Castle and Country Park said:

“Spring down to watch the mad April hares. Come and experience the spring dawn and sneak a closer look at the antics of our Easter hares. Don’t let the early start deter you, this is well worth getting out of bed for.”

The walk takes place on 5 April between 06.00 and 07.30.

Booking for the event is advised. To book or for any further information please call 0844 4932154.

The Cadburys Easter Egg Trail continues the Easter festivities. Follow the trail around the garden, collecting the clues along the way to solve the puzzle at the end. Anyone who solves the puzzle will win a Cadburys Easter Egg as their prize.

The trail runs on 8 April with face painting taking place on the day along with games and much more to be revealed.

The trail, which runs from 12.00-1600, will cost £1.

For any further information please call 0844 4932152.
 

Alloa Tower, which is managed by the National Trust for Scotland, opens to the public on 6 April.

The 14th century building was once the home of the Erskine family and has links to Mary Queen of Scots and James IV and I. The house is presented as an 18th century mansion, but its medieval roots are still in evidence throughout. The interior is ornate and beautiful and boasts a fine art collection too.

Easter events are planned for the family – a Cadbury Easter Egg Trail takes place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 April.

Alloa Tower is open as follows from 1pm to 5pm:
• 6 - 30 April (Friday – Monday)
• 3 May - 31 August (Thursday- Monday)
• 1 September - 30 September (Friday – Monday)

Entry is free for members of the National Trust for Scotland.
 

The A-listed mill, which is one of Scotland’s few remaining operational water mills provides visitors with an unrivalled opportunity to see how grain was milled in days gone by.

This summer, there will be improved and re-designed information for visitors put in place.

The search for an apprentice miller is also underway and it’s hoped that a successful candidate to learn the skills needed to care for and maintain the mill, as well as share its history with visitors will be found soon.

Property Manager Peter Ellis said:

“The mill is a fascinating part of Angus’s industrial heritage and a great place for the family to visit. It’s one of the few places in Scotland where visitors can get such an up close and interactive experience of milling, all carried out by a fully qualified miller.”

The mill is set in picturesque surroundings which are a haven for wildlife. A family of mute swans have been nesting onsite for years.

The mill is planning Easter fun for all the family this year, with its annual duck race. On Sunday 8 April, pop along for races, milling demos and egg-painting too.

Barry Mill is open from 1 April to 31 October on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from noon until 17.00, 13.00 to 17.00 on Sunday.
 

2012 marks the 90th anniversary since the garden was began in 1922 by the Renton family.

Over the winter months, the team have been working hard to get the garden looking great for springtime. They’ve been doing a range of reorganisations and improvements to the planted area to make sure that the show this summer is better than ever.

And there’s also been some work to improve facilities for the staff and army of volunteers who keep the garden in such good shape – the coalshed is being transformed into new staffroom facilities.

Head Gardener Steve McNamara said:

“The garden will be offering a series of events to highlight some of its most famous species this summer – it holds a special Scotland’s Gardens Day on 6 May, when I’ll lead a tour of the best of Branklyn.

“Then on 27 May, it’s time for the famous Blue Poppies to shine on our very popular Meconopsis Day. We hope to see you there.”

Set on a hillside overlooking the River Tay, Branklyn Garden is a beautiful spot to visit. It boasts an impressive collection of plants, many from the Far East, including the Himalayan poppy and a variety of interesting Rhododendrons.

The garden is open daily from 1 April. For further information please call 0844 493 2193.
 

Although the renowned gardens and estate remain open all year round, the castle has been undergoing planned maintenance and conservation work in preparation for the forthcoming spring season – and visitors can be assured of a lively, informative and entertaining programme of events.

Children are well catered for, with the ever-popular Cadbury’s Easter Egg Trail returning on Friday 6 April and running through the weekend until Easter Monday, 9 April. Children taking part will be able to follow clues, answer questions to receive a prize at the end.

Young, would-be naturalists aged between 5 and 12 will be able to discover the amazing world of water creatures on a guided “Pond Dipping” walk arranged for Wednesday 11 April, while the Trust’s commitment to environmental sustainability is stressed with the second annual “Going Green at Castle Fraser” event for local primary schools. Sponsored by Total E&P UK Ltd, the event takes place over Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 May and comprises a series of workshops led by Trust experts, providing the children with a wide range of green-themed activities.

Meanwhile adult visitors can emulate country house sleuths like Lord Peter Wimsey or Miss Marples by trying to solve Castle Fraser’s own murder mystery! For just 50p, participants are given a leaflet outlining the murder and providing hints and clues – as well as red herrings. They then have to solve the murder, leave their answer at the castle and await the grand unveiling of the murderer at the close of the 2012 season to see whether they were right.

The 2012 season will also see the opening of Castle Fraser’s new exhibition room. The inaugural exhibition, “Women of Strength” runs throughout the season and has been very kindly sponsored by Exxon Mobil.

Christina Low, Manager of Castle Fraser, is looking forward to the spring programme:
“It’s always exciting when we reopen for a new season and this year, I’m particularly enthusiastic about our new exhibition room. It should be a great addition to the property and will prove popular with visitors. We’re also looking forward to our Going Green at Castle Fraser event - it’s proving to be an excellent way of encouraging local schoolchildren to think positively about conserving both their heritage and the environment.”
 

The stunning Moffat Valley reserve was purchased by the conservation charity in 1962. The charity has cared and conserved the wildland, wildlife and wild flowers which make the area so scientifically important ever since.

To mark this important anniversary, the reserve will feature in an exhibition at Craigieburn Garden and Café near Moffat throughout July and August.

Property Manager Richard Clarkson said:

“This anniversary is an excellent reminder of all the work that goes in to caring for Grey Mare’s Tail. This special, scientifically important and not to forget, scenic place is very important in both Scottish and European terms. The Trust, the team here and our volunteers work hard to look after it well and ensure that visitors can access, enjoy and understand what’s around them.

“This season, we are planning a series of events to help people learn more about the area, its landscapes, flora and fauna.”

For full details about the events planned for summer 2012, visit www.nts.org.uk.

From the valley floor to Loch Skeen and the high peak of White Coomb, Grey Mare’s Tail is a paradise for botanists and wildlife enthusiasts who come to observe the rare upland plants, peregrines and feral goats. The area is rich in cultural history too, with evidence of settlement dating back to the Iron Age.
 

The team, led by Willie Fraser, have put together a programme of events aimed at active visitors which showcase the stunning natural beauty and rugged terrain of the area.

Starting in early April, the rangers will offer a programme of challenging guided walks in the area’s famous Five Sisters, Glen Shiel or around Lochalsh.

And if altitude is not for you, they are also encouraging visitors to take to the sea with a sea kayaking course. This year, they will be offering more longer trips on the sea kayaks too, taking visitors on tours of the Small Isles on tours lasting six days.

Willie Fraser said:

“We are putting on more events than ever, so that we can share the stunning landscapes, rich history and fabulous wildlife with visitors from near and far this year. Come along and join one of our expert team who can help you reach that summit or take to the seas for the first time and teach you a bit about the history of the area at the same time. It’s a great place to explore.”

Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland owns and cares for some of Ross-shire’s most scenic spots including the Falls of Glomach, the Five Sisters of Kintail, West Affric and the Glen Shiel battle site.

For more information and the full range of events on offer for summer 2012, visit www.nts.org.uk.
 

The garden is open all year round but is at its busiest and most beautiful during the spring and summer.

Malleny Garden is a beautiful tranquil spot, within a short distance of the hustle and bustle of the city centre, renowned for its old-fashioned roses, and centuries old yew trees.

Malleny Garden is open daily, all year round from 10.00 until 17.00, or dusk if earlier.
 

The stunning historic house fully re-opens for visitors on 3 May, but is hosting a series of Easter events for all the family.

Its very popular Cadbury Easter Egg Trail returns for 2012 with face-painting and games to get all the family involved in the fun on Sunday and Monday.

Property Manager Rhiannon Naismith said:

“We are getting ready for a busy summer season at Newhailes and our staff and volunteers are preparing to open the doors fully in May. The estate is open all year round though and we’ve welcomed lots of visitors on our new programme of estate walks and to our Nature Nippers and Nature Detective groups too.”

On Tuesday 10 April, the focus will be on the outdoors for young visitors who will go off in search of signs that ‘Spring has Sprung’ with Lothian Ranger Stuart Whittaker.

For more information about the events or opening times at Newhailes, visit www.nts.org.uk.

Newhailes estate is open daily for visitors. The house and visitor centre are open over the Easter weekend and then from 3 May until 30 September and in addition for 2012, the shop and Stables Cafe will be open weekends in October from 11.00am – 4.00pm.
 

Over the winter months, they have been working away on a range of conservation tasks to improve the condition and storage of its vast collection of records and archives.

The team have carried out a full deep clean of the paperstore, so it is spick and span for the springtime. They have also had new humidity monitoring equipment installed to study the environmental conditions at the property.

Organising the vast collections has been high on the agenda - over the past few months, volunteer and compositor Bill Murray has played an important part in proofing and cataloguing more than sixty cases of type.

And another dedicated volunteer, Eric Deane has also been working hard on the renovation and maintenance of the bellows mechanism on the Falcon Safety Press.

Property Manager Gen Harrison said:

“The team at Smail’s are looking forward to welcoming visitors once again and sharing our knowledge and experience of this unique property. Thanks are due to our staff and volunteers who have worked so hard over the winter to carry out all the vital conservation work and cataloguing that comes with Smail’s.

“Taking inspiration from the Year of Creative Scotland, we are offering a very interesting and varied range of activities for visitors this year, including a reprise of the extremely popular letterpress workshops and introducing a brand new Get to know your Adana workshop. These are rare opportunities to learn special skills which are all but disappearing from Scotland.”

The fun gets underway with a Cadbury Easter Egg Trail from Friday 6 until Monday 9 April.

For more information about the many events and activities at Smail’s throughout the season, look at www.nts.org.uk or telephone the printing works direct on 0844 493 2259

Robert Smail’s Printing Works are open from 1 April to 31 October, Thursday to Monday from 12.00 to 17.00 (Sundays 12noon to 17.00).
 

Staff at the National Trust for Scotland’s Crarae Garden have been working flat out over the winter months to deal with the extensive storm damage that was caused in January. More than 200 trees were felled due to high winds.

As a result, some parts of the garden are currently closed off to the public.

Head Gardener Nigel Price said:

“The garden took a pounding in the winds earlier this year and we have had a big clean up operation to contend with. Some areas of the garden are still closed off to the public, but there is plenty to enjoy and we hope to be able to open more areas as the weather improves.”

The garden, which boasts a vast and exotic array of plants (including the beautiful Blue Himalayan Poppy) and trees, has a programme of events planned this summer, starting with a Cadbury Easter Egg Trail which runs over the Easter weekend from Friday 6 until Monday 9 April.

For more information about events and opening and admission details, visit www.nts.org.uk.
 

Diverse and exciting new art works including sculpture, textiles and ceramics will be on display in a forthcoming exhibition at the National Trust for Scotland’s Pollok House in Glasgow.

The “New Perspectives” exhibition, from Saturday 17 March to Saturday 31 March will feature twelve exhibitors inspired by Pollok’s world-famous art collection, which includes works by Goya and El Greco. The theme is exploring new ways of seeing. The new and established artists have viewed the Pollok collections very differently and have created work including sculpture, illustration, textiles, ceramic, audio, film, collage and origami.

Pollok House is a Georgian country house modernised in 1900 and is the ancestral home of the Maxwell family. The present building dates from around 1752 and as well as housing the stunning Spanish artworks mentioned above; Pollok also displays paintings by Blake, Nicholson and Guthrie. The house is set within Pollok Country Park, which is also home to the famous Burrell Collection.

Pollok House Manager Ian McGreevy explained how the exhibition has come about:

“This exciting new exhibition grew out of our heritage education team meeting in October when an idea put forward by our education intern was set in motion, ‘to see how it might go.’ The response from artists was astounding. The exhibition is larger than was initially intended due to the number of truly exceptional proposals we received from artists, a dozen of whom are now working hard to meet the launch deadline.”

The free exhibition will be open from 10am – 4:30pm each day. The artists are:
Peter Bevan, J. Keith Donnelly, Emma Ewan, Steven Livingstone, Oliver Mezger, Morag Muego, Louise Oppenheimer, Penny Sharp & Inness Smith, Zivile Siutilaite, Ally Wallace and Clare Yarrington.

For further information, please call 0844 493 2202.
 

The exhibition Painting Persia’s Bard brings alive the words of Hafez, the Bard of Shiraz and cultural icon of the Persian-speaking people, through Jila Peacock’s beautiful shape poems. Hafez’s status in Iran and his universal appeal can be compared to that of Robert Burns in Scotland. In these luminous poems, Hafez draws on the beauty of Nature as a metaphor, expressing the perfection and mystery of metaphysical love.

Jila Peacock is a Glasgow-based artist printmaker working at the Glasgow Print Studio since 1990. Born in Iran, she studied and practiced Medicine before graduating in Painting/film from St Martin’s School of Art in 1984.

In 2003 - 4 with an award from University of Cambridge, she made a hand printed edition of a book, Ten poems from Hafez, of shape poems she designed in Persian calligraphy from the poetry of Hafez. It was exhibited at the British Museum in 2006. The animation film Tongue of the hidden made from two of the poems was nominated for a Scottish Bafta award in 2008. The image of Horse is to be exhibited at the British Museum’s forthcoming Olympic Equestrian exhibition from May - September 2012.

She said:

“I was born in Iran and in 2000, I revisited my original written language Farsi in order to study the metaphysical love poems of the medieval Persian poets. As a visual artist I found myself responding to the symbolic images in the ecstatic poems of Hafez of Shiraz almost viscerally, and using the technique of making shapes out of words, I went on to construct images from poems in which Hafez uses animals as metaphors for the human condition. The ten images presented here are the complete out put of this project, and have since been used as a creative stimulus for collaborations in film, music, and dance.”

The exhibition will be held in the RBBM gallery from 21 March until 21 April from 10.00 - 17.00.

For any further information please call 0844 4932601.

Along with the Auld Kirk and Brig o’ Doon, the cottage where Burns was born has been combined with the Burns Monument and the new award-winning museum building to form the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Generously supported by the Scottish Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the museum commemorates the life and works of Robert Burns.

Since opening to the public in December 2010, the museum has welcomed close to half a million visitors and has won a series of accolades including being selected as a finalist for the prestigious Art Fund prize, securing a five star rating from VisitScotland and being named as Horace Broon’s ‘new favourite place in Scotland’.
 

The stunning A-listed Georgian mansion house is hosting a wedding open day where the house will be presented at its finest. Expert staff will be on hand to answer any questions and to discuss the special requirements needed to make the perfect wedding day.

Property Manager Ian McGreevy said:

“Pollok House is perfect for weddings – its beautiful rooms are the perfect backdrop for ceremonies large and small and they look stunning in the photos too! Plus our attentive staff will pull out all the stops to ensure that your day runs as smoothly as possible.”

Also on Sunday 18 March, the ever-popular Edwardian Kitchen Restaurant will be serving up special Mother’s Day lunches.

For more information and booking, please call 0844 493 2202.
 

The historic and rose-tinted castle needs a spring clean so that it is ready for the new season. There are lots of jobs to do before the pretty place is ready to receive guests once again.

Alison Burke, Property Manager at Craigievar said:

“We’re looking for volunteers to give up some time to help us do all of the jobs that we can’t always get round to throughout the year. We’ll be getting the castle and the grounds ready for a new season. As they say many hands make light work, so if you want to lend a hand you are more than welcome.”

The tidy up runs from 9.30 - 16.00.

Please contact Diana Robertson at drobertson@nts.org.uk to register interest.

Anyone interested in supporting Craigievar Castle is welcome to join a brand new Craigievar Volunteer Group which will be meeting on Thursday 22 March at 7 pm in Alford Academy Assembly Hall.

For any further information on our Spruce up Craigievar Day or other volunteering opportunities please contact 0844 4932174.
 

Related Files

• January meeting (PDF - 83.87 KB)

 

Hamilton House was saved from demolition by the Trust in 1937 and has been a private residence for the past 75 years.

Stephen Copp, Project Manager for the Trust’s Little Houses Improvement Scheme, said:

“The design of Hamilton House embodies the transition from fortified dwellings to a more relaxed and refined manner of living which embraced classical and continental influences.

“The open day provides a rare opportunity for public access to a building of national significance.”

The future of Hamilton House as a private residence is currently being re-examined by the Trust in partnership with the Friends of Hamilton House, a community initiative which is exploring the possibility of a new public use for the property.

As well as providing a rare occasion to visit the property, the Open Day will offer visitors an opportunity to learn about the history of both Prestonpans and Hamilton House as well as the exciting possibilities presented by its potential new use.

Representatives from the Trust, Prestonpans Community Council, Prestonpans Heritage Association, the Battle of Prestonpans Heritage Trust, and the Three Harbours Arts Festival will be on hand to discuss the building and its future.

Hamilton House will be open between 10am and 4pm on 24 March.  

The gardeners, comprising managers, head gardeners, assistant gardeners, seasonal staff and volunteers from Trust properties in Aberdeenshire, Morayshire and Ross-shire will receive a series of short talks and presentations from a range of garden mangers and head gardeners from the area.

Robert Grant, the Trust’s Head of Gardens and Designed Landscapes said:

“The highlight of the Gardeners’ Gathering will be the key-note talk from the mastermind behind the Eden Project and Lost Gardens of Heligan, Tim Smit KBE. He brings a wealth of innovative and business experience from which we can learn a great deal”.

Steve Callaghan, The Trust’s Group Manager, Buildings and Gardens, North, who oversees management of properties, said:

“This is the first time in over a decade so many gardeners from the north of Scotland have come together to share experience, learn about the Trust’s new gardens strategic plan and to listen and learn from a world-class speaker and garden entrepreneur”.

The assembled gardeners will also the grounds of Fyvie Castle, including the recently redeveloped walled garden containing the most comprehensive collection of Scottish cultivated fruits in the country.

There will be a photo opportunity at 1345 hrs on 14 March 2012 on the front lawn on the south side of the Castle or, if wet, within the Racquets Court to the west of the Castle.  

Join the garden staff at Greenbank to get tips on what will do well in the garden over the winter period. On this walk, the team will be ready to share their expert advice on how best tot look after climbing plants as spring finally approaches.

Join Head Gardener David Ferguson at 2.30pm for the event.

With more than 3,700 different plant species in their care, the Greenbank team have lots of top tips to share with green-fingered visitors.

Greenbank House and Garden are owned and cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. Built in the 18th century by Robert Allason, the A listed house is open for visitors during the summer. The gardens are open all year round. Greenbank Garden uses hedging to create different areas in the garden.

Its highlights during the winter months are winter-flowering shrubs flower at this time, including Viburnum, witch hazel, Sarcococca, etc. Many trees and shrubs are grown for their winter bark display including birches, willows, dogwoods, prunus, etc. In late winter the carpets of snowdrops bring great joy and are very popular for wedding photographs. Also, winter aconites and the first daffodils are open early in January. In January and February the foliage of the Bergenia collection is quite sdavidtriking as many forms turn purple - beetroot at this time.

For further information please call 0844 4932201.
 

Rosie will lead us on a magical trip around Burns’s Alloway telling tales along the way.

She said: “Storytelling is the oldest form of human performance and is a sharing of information in an entertaining way. It works particularly well in the small groups of these tours. There is no reading involved. My stories are all inside my head. I know them as friends.

“On my Saturday story walks, I take visitors to the museum outdoors around the wider historic site and at regular intervals I stop to tell them tales, the like of which Robert Burns would himself have heard as a child and which so inspired his own writing. I try and match the right stories to place and people present, whatever their age or interest or nationality, so it’s a very personalised tour. I paint a picture with words, with both the factual and the imaginative story so that folk have an emotionally coloured experience to add to their visit to the Museum. Visitors are welcome to join for all or part of my tour, as suits their own day out.”

The event is free of charge and you should meet at the front desk of the museum

Tours start at 12.30 and 14:00 lasting an hour.

For further information please call 0844 4932601 or email burns@nts.org.uk.

Along with the Auld Kirk and Brig o’ Doon, the cottage where Burns was born has been combined with the Burns Monument and the new award-winning museum building to form the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Generously supported by the Scottish Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the museum commemorates the life and works of Robert Burns.

Since opening to the public in December 2010, the museum has welcomed close to half a million visitors and has won a series of accolades including being selected as a finalist for the prestigious Art Fund prize, securing a five star rating from VisitScotland and being named as Horace Broon’s ‘new favourite place in Scotland’.
 

On Sunday 18 March, the house will open especially to welcome deserving mothers into its spacious rooms. After a free tour around the spectacular property, mums can head over to Café Dun to be presented with a special menu and their very own corsage. With the gardens still covered with flowering snowdrops, a walk through the grounds is the perfect way to round off an enchanting day.

Property Manager John McKenna said:

“Mothering Sunday in Scotland dates back to the 16th century, so by treating your mum at the House of Dun this year, you’re celebrating an old Scottish tradition as well as saying a big thank you! I hope this event will give people the chance to truly spoil their mums, in return for all they do on every other day of the year.”

The house opens from 12.00 to 17.00 on Sunday 18 March, with the last tour leaving at 16.30. Normal entry prices apply to those accompanying mothers.

The House of Dun re-opens for visitors on 31 March. The gardens and grounds are open daily.
 

Esther Rutter, Learning Manager for the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum said:

“Join us for a pint at our first Burns Beer Festival. We’ll have ales, games, and food aplenty, as well as a ceilidh from 8pm on Saturday 3 March. Come and taste the barley bree!”

The museum is working in conjunction with CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ales) for the festival.

Lindsay Grant, Branch Chairman for CAMRA in Ayrshire and Wigtownshire said:

“The Ayrshire and Wigtownshire branch are pleased to be associated with the Peck O’Maut Festival which will showcase beers, several with a Burns theme, from west of Scotland breweries. We aim to raise awareness of the many fine beers that can be sampled in selected outlets in Ayrshire and further afield.”

The festival will be held in the Education Pavilion, Burns Cottage between 3.30pm and 7.00pm on Friday, and 1.00pm - 7.00pm on Saturday – entry costs £5.

A Peck O’Maut Ceilidh will follow the beer festival on Saturday 3 March.

Some of Scotland’s finest musicians are set to come together to lead a night of hornpipes, jigs, strathsprays and reels.

Mhairi Baird, Learning Officer for the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum said:

“Ruairidh MacMillan, one of Scotland’s top young fiddlers is leading the ceilidh along with some friends. There will be a few Scots songs and tunes throughout the night to add some variety too.”

Tickets for the ceilidh, which runs from 8.00pm until midnight, cost £10.

For further information and booking tickets please call 0844 4932601 or email burns@nts.org.uk.
 

Head Gardener Chris Wardle who is also the local scout leader was looking for a winter project for the boys to do.

After some negotiation the wood was purchased and then the boys set to work.

With a little help from the adult leaders and also a local builders merchants the project was started

Over 2 evenings the boys did an amazing job and made 4 new hefty picnic benches for the courtyard, and all at a fraction of the cost to buy new ones.  

The always popular Nature Nippers will return again for the under 5s and their parents to discover the natural world. There will be things to see, things to make and games to play.

And if that is not your cup of tea the I Can See a Friendly Face is bound to tick all the boxes.

Come along and make a face in the Newhailes estate woodland by collecting leaves, wood and a little clay.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

We will be going outside so wellies, and warm waterproof clothes are a must.

Tickets will cost £2 for children.

For further information email lothianranger@nts.org.uk or phone 0844 4932124.
 

Take a tour of our historic 18th Century designed landscape with one of our estate guides to learn more about the story behind it.

Visitors must be able to walk for an hour without sitting and bring along outdoor clothes and sturdy shoes.

The walk is suitable for children aged 8 and over.

Booking for the walks is advised to avoid any disappointment.

Entry will cost £4 for adult members, £8 for non-members, and children costing £2 for members and £4 for non-members.

Tours will start at the visitors centre and will go ahead in all but extreme weather conditions. The event will however not go ahead with less than 4 people booked in advance. Tours will take a maximum of 20 visitors.

The Estate Walking Tour will run from 14.00-15.00 and will take place on the last Friday of every month throughout 2012 (except December).

For and booking and any other further information please call 0844 4932125.
 

First on the agenda is Burns in Love on 12 February which sees Hugh Farrell, Past President of Alloway Burns Club, giving a light-hearted look at Burns’ ‘loves and lassies’.

Esther Rutter, Learning Manager at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum said:

“You’ll be in the capable hands of a self confessed lifelong Burns fanatic. He has presented an Immortal Memory’ to Burns, using Burns’s own words, as part of the Braw Burns Birthday celebrations in Alloway this year. This talk continues our Sunday series of lectures, which are held once a month at 2pm throughout the year.”

Burns in Love will take place at in the Roberson Room from 14:00 - entry is free.

Flash forward just two days for Love in the Afternoon on 14 February which sees Robert Burns Birthplace Museum staff and friends sharing some of their favourite poems on Valentine’s Day.

Esther said:

“This is part of the museum’s ‘Live Literature’ series, which also includes a reading by Jamaican poet Kwame Dawes on Tuesday 13 March, and exhibitions celebrating the poetry from India’s national poet, Rabindranath Tagore.

“We will enjoy an anthology of poems to celebrate – or commiserate – Valentine’s Day. It is a very exciting time for poetry fans.”

Love in the Afternoon will cost £5 and be held in the Robertson Room at 14:00

Keep an eye out for ‘Smuggling in the time of Robert Burns’ on 4 March and Burns’s ‘Wit and Wisdom’ on 1 April.

For further information on these events please call 0844 4932601.

Along with the Auld Kirk and Brig o’ Doon, the cottage where Burns was born has been combined with the Burns Monument and the new award-winning museum building to form the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Generously supported by the Scottish Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the museum commemorates the life and works of Robert Burns.

Since opening to the public in December 2010, the museum has welcomed close to half a million visitors and has won a series of accolades including being selected as a finalist for the prestigious Art Fund prize, securing a five star rating from VisitScotland and being named as Horace Broon’s ‘new favourite place in Scotland’.
 

We will be walking along the new guided footpath to learn about the landscape, biodiversity and the history of the area.

Visitors are advised to bring good walking boots, along with waterproofs and cold weather clothing as we will be outside on all terrain ground.

Booking for the walk is essential and it costs £4 for adults and £3 for children.

The walk which takes place from 11.00-12.30 is unfortunately not suitable for children under the age of 12.

For further information and booking please call 0844 4932124 or email lothianranger@nts.org.uk.
 

Join the garden staff at Greenbank to get tips on what will do well in the garden over the winter period.

Head Gardener David Ferguson said:

“Come along to the garden and get advice on making the most of your herbaceous perennial plants.”

The garden walk takes place on 11 February between 14.30 and 15.30.

For further information please call 0844 4932201.
 

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.  

Commissioned by STV in honour of Robert Burns after the public voted him to be The Greatest Scot, the £25,000 piece is the latest addition to the Poet’s Path which leads from the museum building in Alloway to the cottage where Burns was born.

Inspired by Burns’s work A Fragment (On Glenriddel’s Fox Breaking his Chain), Glasgow-based artist Kenny Hunter has created a stunning work called Liberty Regain’d. Cast in iron and as described in the poem the sculpture depicts a fox, a chain and a tree stump, it also creates a partner to his awe-inspiring Monument to a Mouse, a not-so timorous beastie that towers over visitors to the site.

Kenny selected this poem as he thought its themes were ones that Burns felt keenly and to which he frequently returned in his writings. Kenny said:

“Liberty it could be argued is a central theme for Burns and he often made poems out of its various aspects, personal, economic, social, ecclesiastical, political, and international, but he always saw freedom concretely, in relation to Scotland's problems and to the paradoxical psychology of her people.”

Rob Woodward, Chief Executive of STV said:

“STV Viewers from across the world voted Robert Burns as the country’s most important, influential and popular Scot of all time as part of our 2009 series, and we are delighted to have commissioned such a lasting tribute to the nation’s bard. Kenny Hunter has created a stunning piece which honours a true cultural icon.”

The statue is the latest addition to the exhibition at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum’s Poet’s Path which is punctuated by a series of installations by contemporary artists and designers, including Glasgow-based Timorous Beasties.

Museum Director Nat Edwards said:

“Kenny's statue does something very special. It combines real, immediate beauty with quite a challenging depth of understanding of Burns's key message. Its themes of real freedom are as meaningful today as they were in Burns's time. I think it will inspire a lot of people to rediscover an important poem.”

Along with the Auld Kirk and Brig o’ Doon, the cottage where Burns was born has been combined with the Burns Monument and the new award-winning museum building to form the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Generously supported by the Scottish Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the museum commemorates the life and works of Robert Burns.

Since opening to the public in December 2010, the museum has welcomed close to half a million visitors and has won a series of accolades including being selected as a finalist for the prestigious Art Fund prize, securing a five star rating from VisitScotland and being named as Horace Broon’s ‘new favourite place in Scotland’.

Find out more about the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum at www.burnsmuseum.org.uk  

The National Trust for Scotland, in partnership with Historic Scotland, is participating in Skills for the Future, a UK wide project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, which offers people from all walks of life the opportunity the gain valuable vocational knowledge and transferable skills in the heritage sector.

We are inviting applications for the award of a bursary grant for a period of eighteen months for two apprenticeships in Heritage Engineering Skills, one in the area of printing and the other in milling.

The apprentices will be based at the relevant NTS properties: the printing apprentice at Robert Smail’s Printing Works at Innerleithen in the Borders and the milling apprentice at Barry Mill in Angus.

The successful applicants will develop the range of skills to operate, repair and maintain the machinery at the respective properties as well as the tasks involved in the day to day running of the property. As these are both open to the public, the apprentices will also be involved in welcoming visitors and interpreting the property.

It is currently envisaged that the apprenticeships will begin in March 2012.

For an application pack, please email a copy of your CV to: HS.TraditionalSkills@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or send to
Traditional Skills Apprenticeships, Historic Scotland, Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SH by 31 January 2012  

The Arduaine Spring festival - now in its third year – is the place to see Argyll’s beautiful gardens, stunning scenery and dramatic vistas bathed in spring sunlight this May.

Taking place at the conservation charity’s glorious Arduaine Garden with its exotic and extensive plant collections, and wonderful views to the Sound of Jura, the festival takes place from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 May 2012.

In conjunction with the Loch Melfort Hotel, attendees will be treated to a programme of events and entertainment designed to cater for gardens enthusiasts and heritage fans alike, with special tours of the garden and talks by horticulture and wildlife experts including David Mitchell, curator at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.

As well as the packed programme of heritage focused events, guests will also dine and relax in the wonderful surroundings of the Loch Melfort Hotel. The hotel’s proprietors pride themselves on offering the very best in service, tranquil accommodation, tasteful decor and a gourmet dining experience – the restaurant has been awarded two Rosettes by the AA every year since 2000.

Prices for the weekend start at £295 per person, including all accommodation, meals and a selection of events. Day rates and tours are also available. Some proceeds from the event will benefit the National Trust for Scotland’s Arduaine Garden.

For more information, visit www.nts.org.uk. To book, contact 0844 493 2100.
 

The A-listed Hill of Tarvit mansion house near Cupar is a fine example of the period made popular by the ITV1 series Downton Abbey.

Property Manager Roger Brown gave Mr Rennie who is Liberal Democrat MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife a tour of the elegant property which offers visitors the chance to understand what life was like above and below the stairs in the early 20th century. Mr Rennie also visited the Kingarrock Hickory Golf Course, which is based on the original family nine-hole hickory golf course.

Roger said:

“It was an honour to have Mr Rennie visit our beautiful mansion house. We are already preparing for the visitor season, so we were able to bring Mr Rennie up to date with our plans for the house and estate which is such an interesting and important part of Fife’s heritage, and attracts the support of many local volunteers and visitors and supporters from near and far.”

Commenting, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP said:

“The Hill of Tarvit mansion is a great example of Edwardian architecture right here in our backyard. It was great to find out about what life would have been like in the early 20th century Scotland, living in a house like this.

“Scotland has such a rich heritage, the Hill of Tarvit mansion being a perfect example. The fantastic opportunities that could be generated as a result of the London Olympics in Scotland must be seized, with increased numbers of visitors coming to Scotland. If capitalised on, it will be good news for the Scottish economy.

“I am confident that organisations like that National Trust for Scotland will offer these visitors a great and memorable experience of Scotland.”

Hill of Tarvit mansion house re-opens to the public on April 1st. The gardens and grounds are open daily all your round.

Contact The Kingarrock Hickory Golf Course on 01334 653421 for opening times.
 

The Trust team will be onhand to explain the charity's response to the recommendations of the Independent Review Panel which were published in November.  

 

The wild weather currently affecting Scotland has caused a number of closures or partial closures of some Trust properties due to storm damage.

Culzean Country Park will be closed all day on 5 January.

Inveresk Lodge Garden is closed until 9 January.

Brodick Castle Garden is closed until further notice.

Crarae Garden is closed until further notice.

There are partial closures at Arduaine Garden due to damage and flooding.

The Pineapple is closed until further notice.

We apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment caused by these closures.

If you are planning to visit a Trust property please call direct to check that access is possible. All contact details can be found on the relevant property page. Search for properties at www.nts.org.uk/Visits/.  

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said:

“There has been so much support for the new centre throughout all of the design and planning work and we want to be able to reflect that.

“The site marks a momentous historical event, but there has been a visitor centre here since the 1960s and many families will have happy memories of their visit there. In many ways the new centre is just the latest of many chapters in the way that people have come here to learn about the battle and commemorate the lives lost.

“We would like to share people’s memories and I would encourage people to get involved and share their photos and any home movies with the team.”

A new visitor centre will be opened in time for the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn in 2014.

It is the largest joint project between the National Trust for Scotland and Historic Scotland.

National Trust for Scotland Project Director David McAllister said:

“We very much want to hear from people about their visits to Bannockburn, possibly with their family, friends or even a school group.

“When we started this project everyone around the table had their own clear memories of visiting the site and what originally struck them about it. Our plans for the new centre are very ambitious but we are determined that it will retain its place in the community and will inspire people to want to understand the lead up to the battle, the battle itself and the far-reaching consequences of the outcome.

“Earlier in the year we invited the community to come and see the plans and meet the team and it was hugely helpful to us in adapting our designs to address issues that only local expertise could identify.

“Now we would like people of all ages from all around the globe to send us their pictures and home movies to learn what made their visit memorable.”

You can send in your memories or photographs to hs.communications@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or by post to

Historic Scotland Communications Team
G50 Longmore House
Salisbury Place
Edinburgh
EH7 5ST