NEWS

The letters – to be found at www.burnsletters.wordpress.com - reveal many sides to Burns and his character as he writes to friends, colleagues, literary magazines and other companions he encountered throughout his rich, colourful life.

More than 90 letters will appear online on the dates they were originally written. Visitors to the site will be able to leave their thoughts and comments underneath each newly added letter.

Fresh content will be placed online regularly, until the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum opens in July 2010.

The site also contains links to the National Trust for Scotland’s fundraising pages at www.nts.org.uk/Donate/Type/ where people are encouraged to donate a sum in order to help the Trust raise the last £4million needed to fully realise the £21 million Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.

The museum will be one of the UK’s most culturally significant and impressive visitor destinations. This world-class attraction will be the largest project the National Trust for Scotland has ever undertaken and will epitomize Scotland’s proud heritage, celebrating the life and work of one of Scotland’s greatest figures – Robert Burns.

Chairman Shonaig Macpherson said:

“Placing Burns’ letters online will give historians and the general public another fascinating insight into Burns, his work and his viewpoint of the times he lived in.

“In the period from 1787 to 1789 we see many sides of Burns in his letters. The great love poet can seem cold in his correspondence with friend Robert Ainslie, but he is then flowery in his love letters to Mrs Agnes McLehose - codename ‘Clarinda’ - while a more factual and reflective side is seen in other letters.

“One of the aims of the new museum is to show every side to Burns and these letters are an early way of people seeing how complex a character he truly was.”

It is the latest stage in the Trust using social media and web2.0 to increase Burns’ appeal to a new generation. It joins the Trust’s Twitter project at www.twitter.com/ayrshirebard where people receive up to three lines a day of Burns’ poetry on mobile phones, laptops, computers, iPhones and iPod Touch.

In his foreword to the site, Project Curator for the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum David Hopes said:

“Reading Burns in the prose of his letters is a completely different experience from dipping into the poetry which made him such an icon. His letters share the freshness and variety of his poetry and musical lyrics, but reveal more of the man.

“Burns wrote to an astonishing variety of individuals from James Cunninghame the 14th Earl of Glencairn and David Erskine the 11th Earl of Buchan, to notable literary figures – Dr John Moore and Dr Thomas Blacklock, to bosom companions such as Robert Ainslie.

“Burns also chooses the letter at this time as a vector for his political opinions and to broadcast his work, writing to the editors of newspapers of the time such as the Belfast News-Letter and the Gazeteer.

“The protracted correspondence with James Johnson, Mrs Dunlop of Dunlop, Alexander Cunningham is always stylish and one could tell that Burns enjoyed the challenge of writing on some of his favourite subjects – politics, philosophy, music, and women – to people he clearly respected.

“Burns evidently took great pride in letter writing which developed studiedly over this period as he became perhaps more conscious of his reputation as a published poet. The letters become more consciously crafted and knowingly artful.”  

The National Trust for Scotland’s historic burgh, Culross in Fife, will beam into thousands of living rooms tomorrow night (Sunday 28 December), as it provides a stunning setting for the BBC One’s big festive drama – The Thirty Nine Steps.

Culross, which is cared for by the conservation charity, is one of the best surviving examples of a 16th and 17th century burgh. It was used as a location by the BBC as they filmed the adaptation of the famous novel by John Buchan.

Stars Rupert Penry-Jones (Richard Hannay) and Lydia Leonard (Victoria Sinclair) spent time at the Trust’s coastal property in September, filming. The crew were also accompanied by two vintage cars – a Morris Oxford and a Darracq - which play a crucial role in the dramatisation of the famous spy thriller.

Property Manager Bill Lessels said:

“Culross is such a stunning location and we are sure that it will really add something special to this drama. We can’t wait to see how it all looks on screen. It’s a great opportunity to show Culross, its charm and history to a really wide audience and to show off the treasures that the National Trust for Scotland cares for, on behalf of the nation.”  

As with many other organizations, the Trust is feeling the impact of the current recession on all of its operations.

The charity needs to identify new revenue generation opportunities and reduce costs at all of its properties and centrally.

In conducting such a review, the Trust will focus on providing a sustainable future for all of its properties that ensures their heritage value is maintained.  

Plan your rural retreat to a remote cottage, grand castle apartment or mountain base camp, enjoy Scotland’s stunning scenery and help support Scotland’s leading conservation charity at the same time.

To receive a brochure, please contact 0844 493 2108, or visit www.nts.org.uk/holidays for more information.  

Conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland, is looking for volunteers with a talent for sewing to make simple bags to help save lost puffin chicks on the Dual World Heritage Site, St Kilda.

Every year, dozens of pufflings become disorientated by lights from the buildings on the isolated island of Hirta and end up inland, instead of out at sea. Ranger staff, who live on the island throughout the summer, regularly rescue pufflings by placing them in small, cotton drawstrings bags to keep them safe, take them to the coast and release them out to sea.

Now, Property Manager Susan Bain is asking for help from keen sewers to produce more of the bags that are needed to aid the rescue of the lost puffin chicks. The bags should be made from heavy, cotton-type material, measure 25 x 30cm and have a drawstring top.

St Kilda is an internationally important seabird colony and hosts thousands of breeding puffins from April until August.

Susan said:

“St Kilda’s seabirds are so important, so we do everything we can to protect their populations. Every puffling is precious and we rescue every one we can. Our staff take great care to keep any lights to a minimum. Despite this, we always seem to find some stray pufflings around the staff housing. It is really important that we make the release of these birds as stress free as possible. The bags really seem to work well and we need to replenish our stock for the summer season.”

Anyone interested in playing their part in providing these rescue sacks for next season’s pufflings should contact Susan Bain on 01463 232034.  

For the first time in over 200 years, salmon have reached their spawning grounds on the Coy Burn (a tributary of the River Dee) under their own steam – thanks to a salmon ladder that is unique to Deeside.

Conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland worked closely with a range of partners, including the River Dee Trust, the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board, and the neighbouring Leys Estate to create the ladder in the Coy, just ½ mile from the 16th Century Crathes Castle – the National Trust for Scotland’s historic Aberdeenshire property.

The ladder deploys a sophisticated counting and measuring system that allows for the critical monitoring of salmon, as well as sea trout and brown trout, as they tenaciously battle their way back to spawning grounds upstream from the estate's Mill Pond.

This ladder is attached to the dam on the Coy Burn, which holds back the water which creates the Mill Pond. There has been a dam in one form or another on the pond since at least the 1590s. With modifications over the centuries, the existing dam has been a permanent structure since the late 18th Century.

Before the ladder was built, salmon were caught in nets downstream of the dam and lifted into the Mill Pond to make their way through it to join the Coy Burn again, swimming further upstream to spawn. A great deal of development work has also been undertaken on neighbouring estates to ensure that there are further suitable spawning grounds.

Fiona Milne, Senior Ranger at Crathes Castle Estate is very happy with how the ladder is working. She said:

“Earlier in November, I had the joy of standing with the Fishery Board’s Water Bailiff watching some of the first salmon in over 200 years making their way to their spawning grounds under their own steam – 45 fish had gone through in one week alone.

“This is a complicated project as the dam has obviously historical and ecological importance, so it not only involved the nature conservation staff, but also the archaeologist and building surveyors.”

The £70,000 project was part of the Conservation of Atlantic Salmon in Scotland Project and funded by the EU LIFE Nature fund. The work began in 2004 and was complete in August 2008.

Mark Bilsby of the Dee Fisheries Board said that the installation of the ladder became a real community project.

He commented:

“We drew in 17 local schools to be closely involved and created seven fish passes around the Dee catchment area. Overall, we also created 37 kilometres of riverside buffer strips and coppiced 21 kilometres too.”

Fiona added:

“The movement of these wonderful fish is indeed a thrilling spectacle that will, once seen, leave a lasting impression. Here at the Rangers office on the Crathes Castle Estate, we are very keen that the public share the wonder of the noble migrating fish, especially when they are running to their spawning grounds – through November and December. Come and share the spectacle in a family day out at Crathes Castle.”  

Work to improve the safety of the railway line that travels through the National Trust for Scotland’s Pass of Killiecrankie will benefit the local flora, according to conservation experts.

Network Rail have been carrying out work on trees close to the train tracks in the area, to help prevent branches and old, rotten trees from falling onto the track and causing a safety risk for railway staff and passengers.

A benefit of this work is that is opens up more space for important native wildflowers to grow. It also means that both train passengers and visitors to Killiecrankie will enjoy a better view as they head down to the Soldier’s Leap viewpoint.

Problem trees were felled, in close consultation with the conservation experts at the National Trust for Scotland.

Emma O’Shea is the Trust’s ranger for Perthshire. She said:

“We worked very closely with Network Rail to make sure that the felling would be handled sensitively. Killiecrankie is an important site –both historically and naturally. In fact, the work has improved the area, as it means there is more space for wildflowers to come through in the summer. This is very important as the habitats where Scotland’s wildflowers once flourished are in decline and anything we can do to halt that trend is to be welcomed.”

David Simpson, Route Director for Network Rail in Scotland added:

“Throughout autumn, we have been carrying out a programme of tree and plant clearance near the railway in Scotland. Fallen leaves and branches can cause serious issues for trains and the railway infrastructure, so it’s important that we carefully manage that. That said, we are sensitive to the natural heritage of the Scottish countryside and we are pleased that this work with the National Trust for Scotland has proved successful.”  

The National Trust for Scotland’s David Livingstone Centre in Blantyre is ending the season on a high, after new figures showed that visitor numbers increased during 2008.

The centre, which pays tribute to the life of the intrepid Scot, welcomed almost 20,000 visitors this year – a ten per cent increase on the same period last year.

This is encouraging news, following a summer where tourist attractions across the UK were hit by poor weather, increasing petrol prices and the credit crunch.

The centre, which is managed by the conservation charity, is a haven for wildlife including bees, bats, butterflies and wildflowers and has run a series of successful wildlife walks throughout the season.

Property Manager Karen Carruthers said:

“We are very pleased that we’ve managed to attract even more visitors this year. It is a testament to the efforts of our staff and the high quality experience that the David Livingstone Centre offers our visitors that we have had such a strong season, despite some challenging circumstances.”

The David Livingstone Centre closes for the season on 24 December 2008 and re-opens in Spring 2009.  

The new Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre has been a huge success this year, according to the staff and volunteers who have guided the new, world-class facility through its first twelve months.

The building opened to the public on 20 December 2007, concluding the biggest ever building project taken on by the conservation charity.

Already more than 130,000 people have visited the new centre, experiencing the highly praised exhibition which aims to dispel some of the myths surrounding the battle.

Many visitors have been welcomed by Culloden’s two dedicated volunteers – Ian Campbell and Peter Cowe – who devote precious time to support the conservation charity and its Culloden property.

Ian Campbell from Nairn spends two mornings each week at Culloden. He returned to Scotland in July 2007, after living in Yorkshire for years.

Ian has volunteered at Culloden since his return to Scotland, so has experienced the exhibitions and visitor reactions at both the previous centre and its stunning replacement. There is, he says, no comparison.

Ian said:

“The exhibition at the new centre is incredible. The technology really adds to the experience for visitors, for example, the battle table shows exactly how the battle was fought and why it was lost and won."

The £9.5 million project to revamp the battlefield restored important features and provided a cutting edge visitor centre, which really brings the reality of the battle to life for the 21st century.

Culloden has had a successful year, attaining accolades and commendations from a wide range of sources, including taking top prize in the ‘Use of Technology’ category at the prestigious Museums and Heritage Awards in May for its innovative battlefield guides. The centre was also awarded a ‘Gold’ in the Green Tourism Business Awards. Recently, an influential All Party Group at Westminster commended the site for its high archaeological standards.

Property Manager Deirdre Smyth said:

“Culloden is a site of tremendous importance in Scottish and global history, it deserves a truly world class facility to ensure that the story of that battle is understood and passed on for future generations.

“This past year has been a great experience for everyone involved with the centre, especially the 130,000 visitors who have enjoyed our cutting edge exhibition which gives them an insight into what it was like for soldiers on both sides of the battle. The centre has had a very successful first year and we hope to continue this for many years to come, bringing the battle to life for thousands more visitors.”  

The wonders of the festive season at the National Trust for Scotland charity’s Pollok House in Glasgow have been brought to life for the digital age.

A video podcast featuring Radio Clyde presenter Gina McKie sampling the delights of the beautifully decorated 18th century house has been produced for the first time. Gina enjoys the whole experience in period costume, complete with powdered wig.

The ‘vodcast’ is available on the National Trust for Scotland website, the Radio Clyde website and You Tube and gives visitors a flavour of what they can expect from a visit to Pollok House over the Christmas and New Year period.

Marketing manager Carly Lamberty said:

“The festive experience at Pollok is really fantastic and we are always looking for ways of attracting people who have not yet sampled it to come along. Video podcasts are a real asset to the Trust, as they enable us to show the beauty of our properties. They help us to reach out to a whole new audience and spread the word about our work, looking after some of Scotland’s most precious natural and cultural treasures.”

Gina said:

“The whole experience at Pollok House and meeting Mrs Claus really brought the true spirit of Christmas home.”

The video podcast is available to view at: www.nts.org.uk/Multimedia/

Keeping Christmas at Pollok House runs until Sunday 4 January 2009. Mrs Claus will be available to receive children until Christmas Eve. The house is open 10am until 4pm daily, except 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January.  

The National Trust for Scotland has learned with the deepest sadness of the death of the 12th Earl of Wemyss & 8th Earl of March, who was at the forefront of the Trust for five decades. He passed away in Edinburgh on Friday 12 December, aged 96.

The Earl of Wemyss and March was elected onto the Trust’s Executive Committee in 1944 and two years later was elected to Council. He held his first meeting as the Chairman of Council, the Trust’s decision-making body, in February 1948 in his early thirties, a position he maintained until 1969.

He made a further distinguished contribution to the Trust as President for 24 years (1967-1991) and was a source of inspirational leadership and vision.

The Trust’s President the Duke of Buccleuch today paid tribute to Lord Wemyss. “He was a legendary figure, a giant in the story of the National Trust for Scotland whose contribution to the heritage of Scotland was simply immeasurable.

“Through his vision and tireless leadership for over half a century he inspired people across the country to preserve and enjoy their natural and cultural heritage.”

The Trust’s Chairman, Shonaig Macpherson, also paid tribute today, describing the late Earl of Wemyss, who was a life member of the charity for 70 years, as “part of the very fabric of the Trust.” She said:

“The Trust has been blessed with the support of such a special and committed person for over 70 years. His influence and commitment to conservation, particularly in the 1950’s and 1960’s, is still felt to this day and we have so much to thank him for.”

The Trust sends its sincere condolences to Lady Wemyss and family.

Pictures of the Earl of Wemyss and March are available free of charge by contacting Louise Williams on 0131 243 9372

 

As the countdown through the twelve days of Christmas begins, leap into action like the lords in the well-loved carol and give your loved ones the gift of membership at the National Trust for Scotland.

Gift memberships are the perfect present for all ages – from its wonderful castles and gardens to its unspoilt countryside – the National Trust for Scotland has something for everyone.

Head of Membership, John Roots said:

“Trust membership is the gift that keeps on giving – members enjoy free entry at our 130 properties, including the Burns National Heritage Park and the fantastic visitor centre at Culloden. And choosing to give this present makes a welcome contribution to our charity, helping us continue in our vital work to conserve some of Scotland’s most important natural and cultural treasures, for future generations.”

Membership costs from as little as £1 per month and can be bought online at www.nts.org.uk or by calling 0844 493 2100.  

The ground-breaking archaeological work carried out by conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland, at Culloden Battlefield and the innovative approach to telling the story of the battle sets the standard that all UK battlefield sites should strive for, according to an influential All Party Parliamentary Group at Westminster.

In a letter to the charity’s Chairman Shonaig Macpherson, Lord Faulkner said that the All Party War Graves and Battlefield Heritage Group were aware of the detailed research, planning and interpretation of the site that had been carried out as part of the Trust’s project to restore the battlefield and build a new visitor centre.

Lord Faulkner, who chairs the All Party Group, said:

“It is the view of the All Party Group that the work carried out at Culloden is at the forefront of battlefield interpretation, and we therefore have hopes that the high standard the Trust has set will be emulated at other sites across the United Kingdom.”

Archaeology was central to the conservation charity’s approach to the £9.5 million project to revamp the battlefield and build a new visitor centre, which officially opened in April 2008.

Indeed, excavations, overseen and co-ordinated by the Trust’s Inverness-based archaeologist Jill Harden, showed the old visitor centre stood on an important strategic location on the battlefield and influenced the location of the new centre.

One of the innovative approaches to archaeology taken by the Trust during the project was to involve local metal detectorists in a systematic survey of the battlefield. Analysis of the finds helped provide a better understanding of exactly where the battle took place. These discoveries influenced the design of the inspiring exhibition at the new visitor centre which aims to dispel some of the myths surrounding the battle.

Robin Turner, the Trust’s Head of Archaeology said:

“Culloden is such an important historic site for Scotland – we had to make sure that we got it right. We invested a great deal of time and expertise, from both within and outwith the Trust, in doing strong research. There is no doubt that Culloden, both the battlefield and the visitor centre, have benefited from that rigorous work. The new visitor centre has already welcomed well over 100,000 visitors since it opened last December, and the feedback has been very positive. This endorsement from Lord Faulkner and his colleagues is high commendation indeed.”  

One of Scotland’s leading authorities on Bannockburn will visit the National Trust for Scotland’s Bannockburn Heritage Centre on Sunday 14 December to sign copies of his latest work on the battle.

Bannockburn 1314 – a new history by historian Chris Brown was published by Tempus Press earlier this year. The book recreates the battle from the perspective of both the Scots and the English, created by considering contemporary narrative sources and administrative records, as well as re-examining the battle sites terrain. The author will be signing copies and answering questions on Sunday from 1pm until 3pm.

Property Manager Scott McMaster said:

“It is a great honour to be involved in the launch of this exciting new book at this most fitting location. Bannockburn is one of the pivotal moments of Scottish history and we are still learning much about those fateful events, even almost 700 years later.”

Admission to the event is free.  

A seasonal clean up has been underway at Brodick Castle, the National Trust for Scotland’s impressive, 800 year old castle on Arran, as it prepares for a festive visitor – Father Christmas.

Ninety stag heads have recently undergone their five-yearly clean, so they are looking spick and span ahead of Santa’s arrival at the property on Sunday 14 December.

Every stag head was removed from the towering hallway in the medieval castle, and the team recorded their condition and carefully cleaned them, checking they were not infested with insects, before returning them to the spot where they have hung for decades. It took a dedicated team of conservators and property staff five days to carry out the crucial conservation work.

Brodick’s stag head collection dates back to the period before it was owned by the Trust – with the oldest head dating from 1848. Back then, the castle was a popular hunting base for the Dukes of Hamilton and the island supported a strong population of red deer. The last head was hung in 1937.

Clare Meredith, Head of Collections Conservation Services at the National Trust for Scotland, said:

“Cleaning this number of stag heads is not on everyone’s to do list, but that is the beauty of the National Trust for Scotland. We have an extraordinary variety of historic collections on open display at our properties – paintings, furniture, textiles and clocks as well as taxidermy – and the scale on which we care for them presents us daily with enormous challenges.

“This unusual project brought conservation professionals, property staff and volunteers together, to play their part in helping preserve these important symbols of Brodick’s history for the future.”  

More than 1700 visitors were transported to a festive world of fairytale and fantasy at the National Trust for Scotland’s Culzean Castle in Ayrshire on Sunday 7 December.

The castle was transformed into a magical kingdom, inhabited by popular characters from children’s stories over the years. 48 volunteers and staff from Culzean Castle and Country Park all worked together to create the fantastic spectacle.

Highlights include a huge sleeping giant, a gigantic beanstalk and Rapunzel’s golden locks hanging from a high turret.

Property manager Paul Pomfret said:

“We’ve really created something wonderful at Culzean Castle this Christmas. The castle has such a magical feel that our characters from famous fairytales feel right at home. It has been fantastic seeing visitors’ reactions and watching young princesses dance with Prince Charming or take tea with the Mad Hatter."

Culzean Country Park is open for visitors year round, and the visitor centre, including the restaurant, gift and Christmas shop and toy shop are open Thursday to Sunday until Christmas

Culzean Castle’s Enchanted Christmas also runs on Sunday 14 December. A few tickets remain. To book, please call 0844 493 2100.
 

JM Barrie’s childhood home in Kirriemuir is preparing for a big festive event on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December.

National Trust for Scotland staff, who look after the historic house, are getting ready for a visit from Father Christmas, who will collect children’s letters and take them back to the North Pole in time for Christmas. Children can create their lists on special ‘magic’ paper and follow the fairy trail to the Wendy House, where they can take part in the Christmas quiz and various other challenges in the magic garden.

John McKenna, who manages JM Barrie’s Birthplace said:

“We all know there is a touch of magic in the air at Barrie’s birthplace and we hope that Santa and our visitors will enjoy their time with us.”

The festive weekend takes place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December from 1pm – 3pm. Entry for children costs £3.50. For more information or booking, call 0844 493 2142.  

Work by East Lothian-based artist Sheena Phillips goes on show at the National Trust for Scotland’s gallery at Gladstone’s Land in Edinburgh from Tuesday 9 December, until 14 December.

Sheena is known for her sensitive and evocative watercolours. Her love of the countryside and East Lothian shines through in her paintings of coastal scenes with panoramic skies, rolling farmland and rugged moors.

This exhibition also features cityscapes of Edinburgh with autumnal scenes and crisp cold days, but also has a selection of Scottish highland and West Coast scenes.

There will also be a selection of limited edition prints, including Bass Rock, churches in East Lothian and Craigmillar Castle.

Throughout the exhibition, the gallery is open daily from 10am until 4pm.  

Two of the leading conservation charities in the UK – the National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust - have today warned that, unless two new plant diseases Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae are effectively controlled, gardens and heathland across the UK could be seriously threatened in the next two decades.

This new warning in a joint letter from the National Trust and the National Trust for Scotland to Environment Ministers in London and Edinburgh comes as Phytophthora kernoviae (otherwise known as ‘sudden oak death’) has been found on bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) at two sites in Cornwall and on the Isle of Arran in Scotland. Vaccinium, or blaeberry in Scotland, is a native plant to the UK.

During the last five years the National Trust has had first-hand experience of dealing with these diseases. It is only in the last year that the disease has been confirmed at National Trust for Scotland sites. Until now, these virulent plant diseases have been confined to our heritage gardens. Rhododendron ponticum has been the main host for this disease and it continues to threaten rare and historically important woody plants. The disease has also been shown to affect heather in laboratory tests.

Jan Haenraets, Head of Gardens and Designed Landscapes at the National Trust for Scotland: “Without concrete action the spread of these diseases poses a real threat to our native plants and species in our gardens, woodlands and heathland. This would have a serious knock on effect for the environment and local economies.”

The joint letter asks that the UK government and Scottish government provide new additional funding and support to help understand the disease and control its spread. Money is also needed to help clear Rhododendron ponticum, which acts as a host for these two new plant diseases.

Ian Wright, the National Trust’s lead advisor on Phytophthora, said: “The fact that Phytophthora kernoviae has made the jump to heathland is deeply worrying. It has been estimated that within twenty years this plant disease could be in every garden in the UK and have a severe impact on our lowland and upland heath.”  

Festive celebrations get underway at the National Trust for Scotland’s Castle Fraser in Inverurie from 8 December with a series of fun festive events, some involving real camels.

A Christmas Carol Festival runs from 8 December to 12 December at 7pm. There will be a carol concert every night with a different choir in the atmospheric Great Hall.

Follow the Star is a celebration of Christmas at Castle Fraser on Saturday 13 December and Sunday 14 December from 11.00 to 16.00. It really brings the nativity to life. The three wise men will travel to the castle - on real camels – to visit a full size manger. Children can take part in the procession and add to the festive atmosphere by dressing up as shepherds and angels.

Another special visitor will be onsite - Father Christmas will be in his grotto checking who is naughty and who is nice. The castle will be beautifully decorated for Christmas and will be the venue for children’s games.

Julie Lorimer from Castle Fraser said:

“We are all getting very excited as Christmas approaches. We have decorated the castle to look at its Christmassy best and we’ve organised Christmas events so our visitors and Santa will have a really festive time. It is not often that camels come to Aberdeenshire, so we are sure we are really offering our visitors something different this festive season.”

Booking is essential for the Christmas Carol Festival. Tickets cost £10, including mulled wine and a mince pie. Please call 0844 493 2164 for reservations.

Follow the Star runs on Saturday 13 December and Sunday 14 December from 11am until 4pm each day. Entry costs £8 for adults, £5 for children and a family ticket costs £20.  

The National Trust for Scotland has decided to relocate its 14 members of staff currently based at Northgate House in Peebles, to Edinburgh.

The sale of the Peebles office accommodation will raise valuable additional income for the charity.

The 14 employees will be offered suitable alternative roles and it is anticipated the process will be completed by April 2009.

The staff will be based either in the Trust’s main Edinburgh base at Wemyss House in Charlotte Square or work from the Trust’s historic Stenhouse Mansion property, 2½ miles southwest of the city centre.

This 17th century property, acquired by the Trust in 1937, is currently occupied by Historic Scotland, who have now been served notice to vacate the building.  

Festive celebrations with a creative bent get underway at the National Trust for Scotland’s Falkland Palace on Saturday and 13 and Sunday 14 December, with a wreath making workshop.

The two-hour events give visitors the chance to create their very own festive wreaths and decorations, under the expert guidance of Sonia Ferras-Mana, Falkland’s Head Gardener. Holly, ivy and other greenery from the gardens will be used in the demonstration of the traditional method of wreath-making.

Sonia said:

“Falkland Palace has seen many Christmases over the years, so there is a lot of tradition for visitors to enjoy. We hope that the wreath workshops will provide a fun, festive activity for green-fingered visitors and everyone else too.”

Mince pies and refreshments will also be served. The event costs £10. To book, call 0844 493 2186.  

Festive celebrations get underway at the National Trust for Scotland’s Brodick Castle on Arran on Sunday 14 December, with a wonderful Christmas Fair.

Christmases past will be brought to life for visitors as the castle is transported back to Victorian times.

Other festive fun includes a very special visitor - Father Christmas. There will also be carol singing and roast chestnuts to add to the seasonal celebrations.

Property Manager Ken Thorburn said:

“We are all getting very excited by Santa’s imminent arrival. We have been working hard to make sure the castle looks at its Christmassy best, so that Santa and our visitors have a really festive time.”

The event takes place on Sunday 14 December 2008, from noon until 3.30pm. Entry costs £12 for a family.  

Festive celebrations continue at the National Trust for Scotland’s Fyvie Castle near Turriff on Friday 12 December, with a seasonal carol concert.

Under the atmospheric glow of candles, visitors will enjoy some wonderful Christmas favourites in the beautiful surroundings of the castle’s Billiards Room. The Fyvie Parish Church choir will perform a series of readings and solos with a festive theme.

Property Manager Robert Lovie said:

“We are in full festive swing at Fyvie Castle now. The carol concert will be such a festive event - what better way to begin the countdown to the twelve days of Christmas than an evening of beautiful song in wonderfully decorated surroundings. Even Scrooge himself would be won over.”

The concert takes place on Friday 12 December at 7pm. Tickets cost £6 and bookings can be made by calling 0844 493 2182.  

Festive celebrations get underway at the National Trust for Scotland’s Broughton House in Kirkcudbright on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December, with a wonderful Christmas Fair.

Festive activities for all ages, including face painting, will be on offer to visitors looking to get into the seasonal spirit. Music and hot chestnuts will add to the festive experience too.

For those still searching for the perfect presents, there will be a wonderful range of gifts and food on sale too.

Property Manager Sally Eastgate said:

“Broughton House is such a great setting during the festive season. It looks lovely at this time of year and we hope we are continuing the artistic traditions of the house and Hornel, with our beautifully decorated tree.”

The fair takes place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December, from 11am until 4pm. Entry is free.

The house is also playing host to a fantastic carol concert on Thursday 18 December. John and Delya Wilkinson will lead the carol singing and Trust staff will carry out a range of seasonal readings. The concert begins at 2.30 and costs £2.

For more information, contact 0844 493 2246.  

Festive celebrations get underway at the National Trust for Scotland’s Alloa Tower on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 December from 7pm until 9pm, with a wonderful Christmas Fair.

Christmases past will be brought to life for visitors as the 14th century tower house is transported back to Victorian times, and decorated throughout.

For those still searching for the perfect presents, there will be a wonderful range of festive gifts and food on sale too.

Property Manager Scott McMaster said:

“Alloa Tower has seen many Christmases over the years. We want this year’s to be the best ever. The tower house will be beautifully decorated and I can’t think of a better way to start off the festive season, than in one of Scotland’s most interesting historic houses.”

The fair takes place on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 December 2008, from 7pm until 9pm. Entry costs £3 for adults and £2 for children.  

A generous Glasgow designer is helping to bring history to life for visitors at the National Trust for Scotland’s Pollok House in Glasgow, with a donation of period-style gowns valued at more than £15,000.

Moira Withers, owner of bridal and eveningwear design business Glitterati in King Street in Glasgow, decided to give the gowns to the conservation charity to use in activities and events for visitors, young and old.

The gift of Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian style dresses came in response to an appeal to local businesses by Alison Burke, the Trust’s Pollok House learning officer. Alison wrote to local businesses asking for donations to help the charity re-instate popular themed historic events, where staff take tours of the 18th century house in exquisite period costume.

Moira was keen to help the charity, and Alison’s appeal for assistance came at just the right time. Moira explains:

“I have always donated to charities and I get a lot of letters, but there was something about the National Trust for Scotland letter - it asked but didn’t. I believe in the synchronicity of events. We knew we were moving and I had stock that I didn’t want to take.

“I had been to Pollok House many times before and I could picture particular dresses there. When I met Alison and she explained about the children’s workshops, I loved the thought that the children wearing the dresses gave them a second life.”

It is fitting that Moira’s creations can now be seen at one of the nation’s most important historic houses, as Moira takes lots of inspiration for her designs from the past. She said:

“For inspiration, I’ll look backwards. I research costume design and shape – including how the inside of dresses are shaped and engineered. A lot of bridal wear is influenced by the past because they are grand gowns, but it is also about finding a modern interpretation of an historical style.”

And already, the charity is reaping the rewards of this generosity, hosting two successful period themed events in the last few months.

Alison Burke, learning officer at Pollok House said:

“The gift of the dresses has allowed us to stage a Victorian weekend and a Georgian weekend, which we will be repeating in 2009. The visitors were astounded by the quality and magnificence of the dresses, and, set in the sumptuous surroundings of Pollok House, it seemed as though they had always been designed for the house.”

As well as the beautiful gowns, Moira also sent a consignment of girls’ dresses and a large bag of bows, which have been turned into bow ties and Victorian dresses for school workshops.

Other local shops and experts have also offered the charity valuable support and expertise - Juliette’s Bridal Wear in Paisley donated a beautiful Victorian dress and Fionna Herdman, a bridal designer based in Hamilton, is helping the team at Pollok adapt the dresses.

More dresses are still needed, especially in size 14 and above. If you can help, please call Alison on 0141 616 6410.

Pollok House is also available for weddings. The beautiful house and grounds provides the ideal location for a period style wedding dress. For more information, please visit www.nts.org.uk/Functions/Weddings/.  

Threave, the National Trust for Scotland’s glorious garden and estate in Dumfriesshire is getting ready for some festive fun on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December.

Visitors can enjoy the garden in all its festive splendour, with real holly and ivy on show. A very special visitor – Father Christmas – will be in the garden checking who is naughty and who is nice too. Carol singers will add to the magical atmosphere in the 64 acre ornamental garden.

There will also be a range of family activities on offer, a fantastic puppet show and nature workshops. A fun gnome trail will give children the chance to explore the garden too.

Property Manager Sheila Innes said:

"We have some special guests joining us this weekend. Come along and be 'At Home with the Gnomes'."

"With your gnome-guide by your side, you can wander the grounds or maybe soak up the entertainment of our special puppeteer. You should also look out for the naughty gnomes too."

The event costs £5 per head (under 12s free).  

As the festive season fast approaches, the annual transformation of Pollok House into a magical family Christmas experience has taken place. Every year, the Georgian mansion assumes a different Christmas façade with every major room displaying a different Christmas décor.

Set in the grounds of Pollok Park, in the south of Glasgow, Pollok House was home to the Maxwell family for over 600 years. Today it is also home to a magnificent art collection, including Blake, Goya and El Greco. The National Trust for Scotland took over the management of the property in 1998 and over the years, it has created the tradition of being a Christmas focal point for thousands of visiting families.

Joe Bowden, Property Manager, has overseen their festivities for a number of years. He explains what Christmas visitors can expect:

“This year, our special family of teddy bears have returned and they are featuring in a special tableau of Aladdin. Something that has not been done before - they help bring the whole house alive all the way through to 4 January 2009.

“And there is one thing that remains the same here - that’s the visit of our special Mrs Claus. Children will be able to see her all the way through to Christmas Eve - every day from 11am to 5pm, and for £4 per child (up to the age of 12), they will be welcomed into her snug sitting room strewn with gifts and toys amongst, unusually, some of the finest house antique furnishings.”

Joe Bowden has a special invitation: “For a special treat, visit our famed servant’s quarters in the basement – they are home to the Christmas-themed restaurant. Here, you can eat the finest of Christmas lunches or maybe book a Christmas dinner.”

 

First Minister Alex Salmond is today backing the National Trust for Scotland’s major fundraising plans for its brand new Burns Museum, in the build up to next year’s Homecoming 2009 celebrations.

Today marks the first of many exciting fundraising initiatives planned by the Trust, to attract Burns enthusiasts world-wide, families young and old, and Scotland’s entrepreneurial talent, to get behind the world-class Burns museum to be built in Alloway.

Next month’s 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns launches Scotland’s Homecoming celebrations and the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Ayrshire will offer a fitting legacy to the bard.

The conservation charity’s ambitious appeal, launched today (Monday, 1 December), includes “Put On A Pound For Rabbie,” and gives everyone the chance to pledge their support to help deliver the museum for Scotland. Online donations are also being accepted, from anyone who wants to contribute, at www.nts.org.uk/Donate/Type/.

The Scottish Government is contributing £5.5m towards the Trust’s £21m Burns project and the First Minister today lent his personal support to the public and corporate appeal to raise the final £4m.

First Minister Alex Salmond said:

“Robert Burns is Scotland’s favourite son and it’s important that we continue to celebrate his work, which is why the Scottish Government is contributing £5.5 million towards the National Trust for Scotland’s Burns Museum.

“Next year we will mark the 250th anniversary of the Bard’s birth with Homecoming Scotland 2009. This will be a fantastic celebration of Scotland’s contribution to the world and an opportunity for Scots through the world to reconnect and engage with their heritage.

"Burns is my Scot of the Millennium and the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum will ensure we preserve his legacy so that future generations can learn more about Scotland’s greatest cultural icon.”

Today’s “Put on a Pound for Rabbie” concept reaches out to Scottish businesses across the country, inviting them to add an extra pound to meals, concert tickets or hotel rooms and pledge the excess to the Burns museum. Discussions are already well underway with a host of businesses and companies, whose involvement will be recognised at the new museum and online.

The charity has already contacted many of its members, with supporters donating £30 or more having the chance to add their names to a commemorative scroll at the museum’s entrance. 1372 names are already pencilled in.

The National Trust for Scotland’s Chairman Shonaig Macpherson said:

“Burns was a poet of the people and this way everybody can feel involved in the building of the new museum and feel ownership of Burns and the whole project.

“Today marks the start of our public fundraising campaign and there will be much more to come in the weeks and months ahead.

“2009 is the year of Homecoming and Burns will be uppermost in many people’s minds. The Trust will never have a better chance to reach out to Scots everywhere, who already hold the bard in great affection and will want to play their part in delivering this incredibly exciting project.”

The museum will form the main part of the Burns experience in Alloway, alongside the Birthplace Cottage, the Burns Monument and Gardens, Brig o’Doon and a connecting walkway to all the sites. The project is due for completion in 2010.
 

Start your festive celebrations with a weekend of fun and inspiration in the stunning setting of the National Trust for Scotland’s Hill House in Helensburgh from Friday 5 December until Sunday 7 December.

The captivating Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed house will look more beautiful than usual, as it is decorated tastefully for the festive period. And in keeping with the historic house’s heritage, there will be a strong focus on all things arty over the weekend’s events.

Celebrations begin on Friday 5 December as the Oratorio Choir perform some seasonal songs.

Then on Saturday, children can get an insight into what it takes to be Santa’s helper, in the fun-filled and creative Elves Workshop. Santa will be in his Grotto on Saturday and Sunday afternoon to meet with children, hear their Christmas wishes and check who is naughty and nice.

On Sunday, get some tips on how to make your Christmas gifts look incredible, with a fantastic gift-wrapping demonstration.

Property Manager Lorna Hepburn said:

“This is my first Christmas at the Hill House and it promises to be a magical time. The house is always beautiful, but it really sparkles at this time of year.”

And for those looking for the perfect Christmas present, with a design twist, visit the well-stocked shop at the Hill House, which boasts a range of designer glass and jewellery, a wide range of gifts ideas and Christmas decorations.

The weekend programme is:

Friday 5 December
7.30pm – 9.30pm - Oratorio choir performance
Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and nibbles on arrival. Oratorio choir from 8pm - 8.45pm. Tickets are £5 and can be booked on 0844 493 2208.

Saturday 6 December

11.30am – 4pm - Elves workshop, £2 per child.
12pm - 2pm - Santa's Grotto, £1 per child.

Sunday 7 December

1.30pm – 2.30pm - Gift wrapping demonstration, £3.50, maximum of 12 people.
12pm - 2pm - Santa's Grotto, £1 per child.

For booking and information, please call 0844 493 2208.
 

Sir Robert Lorimer’s marvellous mansionhouse, Hill of Tarvit near Cupar, is gearing up for a great Christmas event that will transport visitors back to Edwardian times on Saturday 6 December.

Costumed tour guides will take visitors on a trip back to the early 20th Century, as the family and servants prepare for the festive season. Visitors can also get creative and make their very own Edwardian Christmas decoration.

The house has undergone a transformation in time for Christmas too. The exterior of the building has recently been repainted with its original white limewash.

Property Manager, Ruth Burgess said:

“Edwardian Christmases were not so long ago, but I think visitors will be surprised by the formality and grandeur of these important family occasions. We’re very lucky to have such a fine house to help bring these festive celebrations from days gone by to life for our visitors.”

The event takes place on Saturday 6 December from noon until 4pm. Entry costs £2.  

Festive celebrations get underway at the National Trust for Scotland’s Crathes Castle in Banchory on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December, with a wonderful Christmas Fair.

Christmases past will be brought to life for visitors as the castle is transported back to Victorian times. Watch the family and their servants prepare for festive celebrations, 19th century-style.

Other festive fun includes a very special visitor - Father Christmas. On Saturday he will be joined by Porridge the Donkey in his Grotto. On Sunday, he will be joined by a full reindeer team from the Cairngorm Reindeer herd.

Holly, mistletoe and roast chestnuts will be for sale too. Visitors can get creative with some Christmas arts and crafts.

A range of seasonal fair will be served up at the Courtyard and Horsemill Restaurants. There is also a full range of gifts on offer at the new Horsemill Bookshop - from Scottish interest to cookery, gardening and humour, there are Christmas gift ideas for all the family.

Property Manager Wendy McDonald said:

“We are all getting very excited by Santa’s imminent arrival. We have been working hard to make sure the castle looks at its Christmassy best, so that Santa and our visitors have a really festive time.”

The event takes place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December 2008, from 10.00am until 4.00pm. Entry to the Castle Houseparty costs £3.00 for adults and £2.00 for children. Entry to the grounds on Sunday 7 December costs £3.00 for adults and £1.00 for children.  

Festive celebrations get underway at the National Trust for Scotland’s beautiful Holmwood House in Cathcart, Glasgow on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December, as the Snow Queen comes to town.

The striking visitor will set up her throne amongst the stunning, ornately decorated interiors of one of Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson’s finest creations. The dining room will be set for her fantastic snow banquet, and look out for her sleigh, pulled by a team of polar bears.

Visitors can also pick up some perfect gifts at the craft fair and the onsite shop, which offers a range of present ideas and Christmas decorations, some inspired by the Snow Queen’s winter wonderland.

The Snow Queen’s visit takes place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December 2008, from noon until 5pm. Entry costs £4.  

The Burns National Heritage Park in Alloway is gearing up for the festive season with a series of musical events to add to the atmosphere at the National Trust for Scotland’s newest property.

The seasonal singing gets underway on 3 December with a performance from the talented youngsters at Alloway Primary, the local Ladies Women’s Rural Institute choir will also demonstrate their skills throughout December, as will the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra and Catherine Overdyking and her piano.

Band, Borealis will appear for one night only on the 7 December and on 20 December youngsters from Glasgow’s Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama will showcase their talents too.

Property Manager Caroline Glenn said:

“Burns and music go hand in hand, so we pulled together a programme of events that really celebrate the songs of the season and add something extra to the Park throughout the festive season.”

A festive menu will also be on offer at the Tam o’Shanter Experience restaurant from 10 December.

The full programme of music is:

Wednesday 3 December - 6pm - 8.30pm, Alloway School Choir

Saturday 6 & 13 December – 2pm – 3pm, Alloway Ladies WRI Choir

Monday 7 December – 2pm – 4pm, Borealis entertain with a selection of songs including some seasonal favourites

10 - 23 December, 2pm – 3pm Catherine Overdyking our resident pianist

Sunday 14 & 21 December – 2pm – 4pm - Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra

Saturday 20 December – 2pm – 4pm - Join three of the rising stars from the RSAMD and Paisley Abbey Choir for a Christmas Concert.  

There are only a few days remaining to buy tickets for one of the National Trust for Scotland's most magical festive events - the Enchanted Castle at Culzean Castle in Ayrshire.

See the castle transformed, as fairytale characters can be found in each room. The events take place on Sunday 7 and 14 December and tickets must be booked in advance.

There are still some remaining, so act now to enjoy this extraordinary event. Bookings can be made on 0844 493 2100.  

Pupils from Castle Douglas Primary School had an exciting visit to the National Trust for Scotland’s Threave Estate recently.

As part of their coursework they had been learning about forestry and conservation, so they jumped at the chance to visit Threave where tree felling is currently in progress at Meikle Wood. Pupils saw the machinery in action and watched at a safe distance as a tree was cut down.

The pupils also met forestry contractor Jim Johnson and his horse Billy, a Belgium Ardennes, who are helping the conservation charity carry out this crucial work in the forest.

Jim chatted to the children and explained why a horse was being used to extract timber from this site rather than modern ‘forwarder’ machines.

Karl Munday, Senior Ranger for the National Trust for Scotland said:

“Regular tree-felling is an important part of good forestry management and we are undertaking this work to ensure that Meikle Wood thrives in the future. We decided that using horses was the best approach. This traditional technique has been used in forest management for centuries. Horses can extract timber effectively and safely through the trees without causing any damage, which is ideal for our circumstances here. Using Billy is helping us to keep any disruption to a minimum, as he is a lot quieter and easy to manoeuvre than heavy machinery.”

Trust Countryside Staff were also on hand to describe the nature conservation reasons for replacing conifer trees with native broadleaves and introduce some of the species associated with these types of woodlands.  

House of Dun, the National Trust for Scotland’s Montrose treasure is preparing for a festive weekend on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December.

Father Christmas will be the guest of honour, collecting children’s letters and taking them back to the North Pole in time for Christmas. Children can create their lists on special ‘magic’ paper. There is even more opportunity for young visitors to get creative at Auntie Sheila’s craft workshop, where they can make their own original Christmas cards and ceramic snowmen.

Events for adults have a literary theme with two book signings – on Saturday, Angus Whitson, author of “Man with Two Dogs”, shares his countryside diary, thoughts and reminiscences and shows us how nature can be beautiful and unsentimental, cuddly and cruel. Accompanied by his faithful friends, Macbeth, a white West Highland terrier, and his black Labrador Inka, who have accompanied him on many of his countryside adventures over the years.

On Sunday, John Nickson, children’s author will be signing both of his books, “Hamish the Hedgehog" and "Hamish Goes to the Woods".

One of the highlights of the weekend is the chance to win a cast-signed programme from the recent run of JM Barrie’s play, Mary Rose. The popular production at Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre ended earlier this month. JM Barrie’s Birthplace is also owned by the National Trust for Scotland.

There will be craft stalls throughout the house and in the courtyard, the Angus Weavers shop will be open. The Angus Crafts Association will have two artists in residence exhibiting the skills required in wood turning and carving.

John McKenna, who manages both of the Angus properties said:

“This is my first Christmas at the House of Dun, so I am looking forward to seeing the house in its festive glory. I am sure that in days gone by Christmases were very grand affairs. We hope to bring a touch of that festive sparkle to life for our visitors.”

The festive weekend takes place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December from 10.30am until 5.30pm. Entry for children costs £5, including a visit with Santa and a trip to Auntie Sheila’s workshop. For more information or booking, call 0844 493 2144.
 

One of Scotland’s leading conservation charities is asking for support so that it can continue its vital work to conserve Scotland’s wildlife.

The National Trust for Scotland has this week launched a drive to raise awareness of its work with wildlife and raise funds for its countryside and rangers staff across Scotland to protect and preserve Scotland’s wildlife. Almost 50,000 members have been contacted as part of the fundraising push. Donations can also be made online at www.nts.org.uk/StAndrewsAppeal.

Many of Scotland’s rarest and well-loved species make their home at Trust properties. From the red squirrels at Castle Fraser, near Inverurie, to the summering puffins on Staffa and the protected peregrine falcons and rare plantlife at Grey Mare’s Tail near Moffat, the Trust cares for and conserves a huge variety of wild animals and plants.

A team of 80 rangers and countryside staff across Scotland are involved in vital work to preserve habitats, protect wildlife and promote healthy populations of some at risk species. Many more volunteers devote their free time to support the Trust’s work too.

Richard Luxmoore, Senior Nature Conservation Adviser with the Trust, said:

“Many people automatically think of castles and old buildings when they think about the Trust, but the truth is, we are so much more. Protecting, preserving and promoting the wild animals and birds and their habitats on our properties is a really important part of our work.

“By investing our time, resources and expertise in this we are helping to conserve an important part of Scotland’s heritage, ensuring that the Scotland’s wealth of wildlife survives for future generations.”  

A trio of intrepid Highlanders have met the National Trust for Scotland charity’s call for help to re-instate the saltire at the Bannockburn Heritage Centre.

The conservation charity asked for assistance to rescue its stuck saltire, after a cable snapped last week, trapping the flag at half mast. Niall Mclean (Director) Ian Grey (General Manager) and Lewis Harrop from the generous firm GEO-ROPE made the journey from Ballachulish to Bannockburn today (Monday 24 November) to sort out the problem and re-fly the flag.

Lewis, who is also a member of the local mountain rescue team, climbed up the 120 foot pole and retrieved the saltire. The trio then made a quick repair and returned the flag to its rightful place, overlooking the site of the 1314 battle.

Property Manager Scott McMaster said:

“Just as the famous Gael Angus Og, Lord of the Isles came to Robert the Bruce’s side at Bannockburn, it was the turn of three other highland heroes to do the same almost 700 years later. We are very grateful to these generous gents who have saved our saltire, so that it flies again over this historic site.”
 

Festive celebrations get underway at the National Trust for Scotland’s Fyvie Castle in Turriff on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November, as Father Christmas pays a visit.

Children can pass their lists directly to Father Christmas by the fire in the Billiards room, while parents enjoy some mulled wine. There will be some seasonal songs in the Music Gallery too.

Visitors can also stock up on a fantastic range of gifts for friends and family, including books, toys and games at the craft fair.

The castle is open from 12.00 to 16.00. Entry costs £3.  

Festive celebrations get underway at the National Trust for Scotland’s Brodie Castle in Forres on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November, with a wonderful Christmas Fair.

Find unusual and beautiful gifts for family and friends from the selection of handmade local crafts on sale. Get in the festive spirit with carol singing and sample the lovely seasonal food - roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and mince pies.

Visitors can also enjoy a demonstration from the authors of the Whisky Kitchen Cookbook, co-authors Graham Harvey and Sheila McConachie of Craggan Mill Restaurant, on Saturday from 14.00 until 16.00.

The Christmas Fair is open from 9.00 to 16.00. Entry £3 for adults and children are free. Admission to the Whisky cookbook demonstration costs £5 for adults.  

There are only ten days left to take in a spectacular sculpture exhibition at the National Trust for Scotland’s Priorwood Garden in Melrose.

The work of eleven Borders-based artists has been on show for more than a month, while the garden has displayed some dramatic autumn colour.

Among the exhibits are Sam Wade’s highly engineered kinetic forms in metal and coloured perspex, Jane Gaze’s new work referencing the activities in Loch Ewe during World War 2 and ceramic works by Lesley May Miller and Su Nutgens.
 

The National Trust for Scotland’s Brodick Castle hosted a hugely successful art show last weekend, with over £10,000 of artwork sold.

More than 60 individual artworks were sold from Thursday 13 until Sunday 16 November, including a number by the Trust’s very own Chris Mills, the castle’s administrative assistant.

Chris Mills, who helped organised the exhibition along with Sue Tozer, Brodick’s Administrative Manager, said:

“The exhibition was a great success, attracting more than 700 visitors from near and far. We are really pleased that there were so many sales – it demonstrates the high quality of the pieces on show. The castle benefits from the revenue generated – around £2000 comes to us in commission – which will help us in vital conservation work as we prepare for next season.”

Brodick Castle re-opens in Spring 2009. The visitor centre, shop and walled garden are open Friday until Sunday from 10.00 until 15.30, until 21 December. The Country Park is open daily, all year round.  

Pick up the perfect Christmas present and help protect and preserve some of Scotland’s most important cultural and natural treasures by shopping with the National Trust for Scotland this winter.

This year, the Trust has a bigger range of gifts than ever to choose from – everything from fabulous, indulgent food to glittering jewellery and quirky homeware.

There is also a fine selection on Christmas decorations and accessories on offer in shops and at www.nts.org.uk/Shop/.

Online, the revamped shop has more than 400 products to choose from. Gift membership can also be purchased online, as well as at Trust properties across Scotland. Members enjoy free entry to the Trust’s 130 properties across the country. Family membership costs from as little as £5 per month.

You can also make gift donations to the Trust on behalf of a loved one – an unusual gift option that makes a contribution to the charity’s work to conserve some of Scotland’s most precious cultural and natural treasures. Visit www.nts.org.uk/Donate/Gift/ to select a gift that supports the Trust’s gardens, historic collections, buildings or mountains.

You can browse the Trust’s gift selections at:

Arran
Brodick Castle and Country Park – open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.30 to 15.30, until 21 December.

Aberdeenshire
Crathes Castle, Banchory – open daily, 10.00 – 16.30, until 24 December.

Ayrshire
Culzean Castle, Maybole – open Thursday to Sunday from 11.00 – 16.00, until 21 December.

Borders
Priorwood Garden, Melrose – open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 to 17.00 and on Sunday from 13.00 until 17.00, 24 December.

Dumfries and Galloway
Threave, Castle Douglas – open daily from 10.00 –16.00, until 23 December.

Edinburgh
No 28. Charlotte Square, Edinburgh – open Monday to Saturday 9.30 – 16.00, until Christmas Eve.

The Georgian House, Charlotte Square, Edinburgh –open daily in November from 11.00 to 15.00.

Fife
Falkland Palace – open Monday to Saturday from 11.00 - 16.00 and on Sunday from 13.00 until 16.00, until 23 December.

146 South Street, St Andrews – open Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 to 17.00 and noon until 17.00 on Sunday.

Glasgow
Pollok House, Pollok Park – open daily from 10.00 to 17.00, until 24 December.

Perthshire
Dunkeld – open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 to 16.30 and on Sunday from 12.30 to 16.30pm, until 23 December.  

Modern day heroes are urgently required at the National Trust for Scotland’s Bannockburn Heritage Centre to help re-instate the saltire to pride of place, towering over the site of the epic 1314 battle.

Trust staff were replacing a tattered flag when the cable on the 120 foot flagpole came loose. The new flag is now stuck at half mast.

Medieval standard bearers held the saltire and Lion rampant high for Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Now, Property Manager Scott McMaster is calling for a standard bearer for the 21st century to help access the flagpole and return the saltire to its rightful spot.

Local heroes, the Raploch Fire Service where unable to reach the flag due to the same problem that thwarted the English - “the lie of the land and a tight circle known as the rotunda”.

Scott said:

“We change the flag regularly to ensure that it is in a state fit for an historic site of this stature. We were shocked when the cable snapped as we hoisted the new flag. We are very grateful to those who have valiantly tried to help so far, but sadly, our saltire is stuck. We would really appreciate the help of a knight in shining armour – preferably one equipped with a cherrypicker instead of a steed.”  

Festive celebrations get underway at the National Trust for Scotland’s Kellie Castle in Pittenweem, Fife on Sunday 30 November, with a wonderful Christmas Fair.

Christmases past will be brought to life for visitors as the castle is transported back to Victorian times. Watch the family and their servants prepare for festive celebrations, 19th century-style.

Visitors can stock up on a fantastic range of gifts for friends and family, including books, toys and games, cards, hand made Christmas cakes and seasonal preserves. Father Christmas is also making an appearance.

The Christmas Fair is open from 11.00 to 16.30. Entry to the castle costs £2.
 

Pick up the perfect festive gift at an atmospheric evening of Christmas shopping at the National Trust for Scotland’s Crathes Castle in Banchory on Thursday 27 November.

The special event marks the opening of the new Horsemill Bookshop and shoppers can choose from the fabulous range of products until 8.30pm. From Scottish interest to cookery, gardening and humour, the bookshop will be full of Christmas gift ideas for all the family.

Successful local author Esther Woolfson will also be attending the event to sign copies of her book Corvus: A Life with Birds, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

The National Trust for Scotland property, which remains open throughout the winter with the castle itself open Saturday and Sunday, is re-opening the Horsemill as both a book and coffee shop.

Wendy McDonald, Property Manager said:

“The Horsemill bookshop is an exciting new addition to the existing Courtyard café and retail facilities we have on offer at Crathes. Tea, coffee and cakes will be available by table service, and a wide selection of books will be for sale. Both the Horsemill and Courtyard will be open daily throughout the year which offers another attraction for visitors to the property.“

Teas and coffees will be available on the night along with complimentary nibbles and Crathes mulled wine.
 

The stunning scenery at Kintail & Morvich is currently in the running as one of the UK's finest views.

We have joined forces with the National Trust based in Swindon and Sky TV, to ask Britain to vote for an all-time favourite view in the UK.

So far, Kintail & Morvich has attracted huge public support and is currently lying in 7th place.

There is still time for Trust members and supporters of Scotland’s stunning landscape to use their vote and help Kintail continue up the chart, to win the title of ‘The Nation’s Favourite View’.

To vote, visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-visits-best_view.htm  

Work created by Lesley Skeates during her summer as the National Trust for Scotland’s artist-in-residence at St Abb’s Head Nature Reserve in Berwickshire goes on show in Edinburgh from tomorrow.

Lesley’s seascapes were inspired by the stunning views and unusual rock formations found off the coast of the National Trust for Scotland’s property which is well-known for its rich marine life.

The exhibition runs at the Trust’s Gladstone’s Land gallery on the Royal Mile until 23 November. Entry is free.

St Abb’s Head Nature Reserve is open all year round. For more information, visit www.nts.org.uk.

For more information on Lesley and her work, visit www.lesleyskeatesgallery.com/index.htm.
 

Festive celebrations get underway at the National Trust for Scotland’s Greenbank Garden in Clarkston on Sunday 23 November 2008.

Staff at Greenbank are recreating Christmases from centuries gone by. The dining room will be decked out in the Georgian style, while the library will reflect the more recent past – Christmas 1980.

Visitors can also enjoy home baking provided by the generous Friends of Greenbank group.

The Christmas Fair is open from 11.00 to 16.00. Standard entry charges apply.


 

Pupils from Barthol Chapel, Methlick, Udny Green and Tarves schools are preparing to take to the stage on Friday 14 November at the impressive concert hall at the National Trust for Scotland’s Haddo House near Ellon, as part of a project to put young people in touch with their local heritage.

The project ‘Keek Back, Syne Haud Gaun’, which is being run by the National Trust for Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council, encouraged school children to create a new drama and songs inspired by Aberdeenshire’s rich heritage.

Pupils were guided by Irene Watt, a PhD researcher from the Elphinstone Institute to learn research techniques and put this into practise by researching their local area. They took inspiration from what they discovered to create the drama and songs that will be premiered on Friday to an audience of fellow pupils.

The performance at Haddo House continues its long tradition as a highly significant centre for the performing arts in the North East.

Paul Anderson, the highly-accomplished North East fiddler and his wife Shona Donaldson will support the pupils during rehearsals and will also feature at the performance in the concert hall, which will include both traditional performances and new work.

Sandra Morrison, Group Learning Manager for the National Trust for Scotland said:

“Having had this in mind for a number of years now, it was a real thrill for me to see it brought to life. It has been an absolute joy to see the enthusiasm of the youngsters for this project. They have worked hard on their research and on their performances. The teachers and tutors should also be congratulated for their hard work and commitment. We are all very proud of this partnership.”

Education, Learning and Leisure Committee chairman Cllr Richard Stroud said:

“Aberdeenshire boasts a proud cultural heritage, and projects such as ‘Keek Back, Syne Haud Gaun’ help keep this alive. In turn, Haddo House’s long-standing links with the arts makes it the perfect venue for the performance of the finished works.”

Aberdeenshire Council’s Arts Development Officer, David Atherton said:

“This is a great opportunity for children to work with cultural partners to develop their latent performing talent! The tutors, children and school staff have been incredibly enthusiastic and the final performance promises to be both fabulous and beneficial to all concerned.”

The funders of this project must also be recognised for their contribution as without it, this would not have been possible: Tom & Thelma Wilson Charitable Trust, Astor of Hever Trust, Miss Anne Brooks Fairgreen Charitable Trust, The Mackay & Brewer Charitable Trust, Aberbrothock Charitable Trust, M E B Charitable Trust, The W M Mann Foundation.  

The early 19th Century will be brought to life at the National Trust for Scotland’s Georgian House in Charlotte Square Edinburgh, for the next two weekends.

Dedicated staff and volunteers are running tours designed to transport visitors to the year 1811, when Britain and France were at war. The tours, which take place on Saturday and Sunday, will give an insight into the lives of the Lamont Family and their household servants. The Lamont family were the first residents of No 7 Charlotte Square, living there from 1796 until 1815.

Property Manager Sheonagh Martin said:

“Visitors are always fascinated by the stories of the former residents of this wonderful house and the lives they led. The Lamont family certainly had some interesting times while they lived here and we are looking forward to bringing this to life for visitors over the coming weeks.”

The tours run on Saturday 15, Sunday 16, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November from 11.00 until 15.00 on Saturday and noon until 15.00 on Sunday. Last tour starts at 2.30pm.

The Georgian House is open daily from 11.00 until 15.00, until Sunday 30 November, last admission at 2.30pm.

For more information or booking, please call 0844 493 2118.  

As autumn continues, the foliage throughout the extensive woodlands and gardens of the National Trust for Scotland’s Threave Garden and estate in Dumfriesshire is now a symphony of reds and golds, making it a superb time to visit.

The 64 acre ornamental garden is home to a hugely diverse range of plants and landscape features, and within the 1,500 acre estate, there are way-marked trails, bird hides and a wildlife sanctuary – perfect for a family day out.

Threave House, built in the distinctive red Dumfriesshire stone, is a former baronial home built for Liverpool businessman, William Gordon. It came under the care of the National Trust for Scotland in 1948 and today is a natural home to the Trust’s School for Practical Gardening.

Sheila Innes, Property Manager at Threave, says that just ahead of Christmas, there is another night to celebrate:

"We are holding a special event for the celebration of St Andrew's Day with a Scottish evening. Youngsters from the local Highland Dancing club will be demonstrating their skills, ceilidh music will get your feet more than tapping and a buffet supper of all-Scottish fare will fill your plates.

"This special evening will cost £15 per head which will include the first glass of wine - and with numbers limited to 80, tickets will be keenly sought after - so bookings can be made by phone (0844 4932245) or at the reception desk."

Christmas is also a very magical time at Threave.

Sheila continues:

"We have some special guests joining us here on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December, you can join us with them and be 'At home with the Gnomes'."

"With your gnome-guide by your side, you can wander the grounds or maybe soak up the entertainment of our special puppeteer. You should also look out for the 'naughty gnomes' too!

"With a 'Wishing Tree' and Father Christmas visiting here too, it is real family entertainment."

The "At home with the Gnomes" event is £5 per head (under 12s free).

Threave is one mile west of Castle Douglas - you can get full directions and route planning at www.nts.org.uk

 

The National Trust for Scotland’s Kellie Castle in Pittenweem ended the season on a high note last week, as figures show it has performed strongly this summer season.

The 17th century castle welcomed more than 14,000 visitors between 21 March and 31 October –an increase of almost 6 per cent on last year.

This is encouraging news in a summer where tourist attractions across the UK were hit by poor weather, increasing petrol prices and the credit crunch.

Edinburgh and East Buildings and Gardens Group Manager, David McAllister said:

“We are very pleased that we’ve managed to attract event more visitors this year. It is a testament to the efforts of our staff and a confirmation of the quality of the experience that Kellie offers, that we have had such a strong season despite some challenging circumstances.”

 

The National Trust for Scotland’s Pollok House and Holmwood House in Cathcart, Glasgow have attracted thousands of visitors this summer.

Pollok House, which is open all year round, has welcomed almost 62,000 visitors between 21 March and 31 October. That adds up to an increase of eight per cent compared to the same period last year.

Meanwhile, Holmwood, has played host to more than 5000 people – an increase of more than 6 per cent on 2007.

This is encouraging news in a summer where tourist attractions across the UK were hit by poor weather, increasing petrol prices and the credit crunch.

Property Manager Joe Bowden said:

“We are very pleased that we’ve managed to attract even more visitors this year. Our city locations are likely to have been a huge advantage this summer, when weather and petrol prices have been so changeable. It is a testament to the efforts of our staff and a confirmation of the quality of the experience at these properties, that we have had such a strong season despite some challenging circumstances.

“And the good news is that Pollok is gearing up for its busiest time of year – Christmas. We have a packed programme of events and look forward to welcoming even more visitors in the next few months.”

Pollok House is open year round, except 26 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January. Holmwood House reopens in spring 2009.

 

A Christmas event that will bring fairytales to life at the National Trust for Scotland’s Culzean Castle in Ayrshire is proving popular.

Tickets for the Enchanted Castle went on sale on Monday 3 November and already almost 1000 have been snapped up.

The events, which sees the beautiful Culzean Castle populated by popular figures from fairytales and children’s stories, takes place on 7 and 14 December. In previous years the event has been a total sell-out.

Property manager Paul Pomfret said:

“The Enchanted Castle is such an exciting event and really gets families in the festive spirit. Tickets are going quickly, so make sure you get in early.

“Although the castle is now closed for winter, the country park is remains open, with the visitor centre, restaurant and our great Christmas shops open Thursday through to Sunday every week.”

Tickets for the Enchanted Castle event can only be purchased in advance. For bookings, please call 0844 493 2100.



 

The National Trust for Scotland’s Angus properties ended the season on a high note last week, as figures show they have performed strongly this summer season.

The Angus Folk Museum in Glamis, the House of Dun in Montrose and the Kirriemuir Camera Obscura all bucked the trend of falling numbers of visitors at tourist attractions this summer. The three properties attracted almost identical numbers of visitors when compared to last year.

This is encouraging news in a summer where tourist attractions across the UK were hit by poor weather, increasing petrol prices and the credit crunch.

The House of Dun continues to be one of the most visited properties in the Angus area, welcoming more than 10,000 visitors to its grand interiors between 21 March and 31 October this year. At Angus Folk Museum and the Camera Obscura, more than 4000 people visited both sites.

Property Manager John McKenna said:

“We are very pleased that we’ve managed to maintain our visitor numbers this year. It is a testament to the efforts of our staff and a confirmation of the quality of the experience that House of Dun, Angus Folk Museum and Kirriemuir Camera Obscura offers, that we have had such a strong season despite some challenging circumstances.”

 

The National Trust for Scotland’s Leith Hall near Huntly ended the season on a high note last week, as figures show it has performed strongly this summer season.

The historic house and estate, which is well known for its beautiful gardens, welcomed more than 5000 visitors between 21 March and 31 October - almost exactly the same number as last year.

This is encouraging news in a summer where tourist attractions across the UK were hit by poor weather, increasing petrol prices and the credit crunch.

Senior assistant Doline Kilgour said:

“We are very pleased that we’ve managed to maintain visitor numbers this year. It is a testament to the efforts of our staff and a confirmation of the quality of the experience that Leith Hall offers, that we have had such a strong season despite some challenging circumstances.”

Leith Hall house and tearoom reopen in spring 2009. The gardens are open daily.  

The National Trust for Scotland’s Haddo House near Ellon ended the season on a high note last week, as figures show it has performed strongly this summer season.

The William Adam designed house welcomed almost 13,000 visitors between 21 March and 31 October –an increase of more than 35 per cent on last year.

This is encouraging news in a summer where tourist attractions across the UK were hit by poor weather, increasing petrol prices and the credit crunch.

Senior Assistant Tina Low said:

“We are very pleased that we’ve managed to attract even more visitors this year. It is a testament to the efforts of our staff and a confirmation of the quality of the experience that Haddo offers that we have had such a strong season, despite some challenging circumstances.”

Haddo House re-opens in spring 2009.
 

The National Trust for Scotland’s Glenfinnan Monument in the Highlands ended the season on a high note last week, as figures show it has performed strongly this summer season.

The visitor centre at the monument which marks the spot where Prince Charles Edward Stuart raised his Standard in 1745 welcomed almost 21,000 paying visitors between 21 March and 31 October – an increase of almost 7% on last year.

This is encouraging news in a summer where tourist attractions across the UK were hit by poor weather, increasing petrol prices and the credit crunch.

Property Manager Rudy Vandecappelle said:

“We are very pleased that we’ve managed to attract even more visitors this year. It is a testament to the efforts of our staff and a confirmation of the quality of the experience that Glenfinnan offers, that we have had such a strong season, despite some challenging circumstances.”

Glenfinnan Visitor Centre re-opens in spring 2009. The monument is accessible all year round.


 

A potentially devastating plant disease has been confirmed in blaeberry plants in Merkland Wood at the National Trust for Scotland’s Brodick Country Park on Arran.

This is the first time that Phytophthora kernoviae has been found in blaeberries in Scotland. There is also suspected infection in two oak trees, but this has yet to be confirmed.

Gardeners at the charity's Brodick Castle have been tackling the P. kernoviae, which is a form of Sudden Oak Death, since it was first detected in February 2008. Significant areas of Rhododendron ponticum have been cleared from the beautiful Brodick gardens in an attempt to contain the disease.

The latest outbreak in blaeberry plants is more than one kilometre from the gardens, fuelling the conservation charity’s concerns that the Scottish Government needs to step up action to tackle the threat of this disease and its sister, Phytophthora ramorum.

The Trust’s Senior Nature Adviser Richard Luxmoore said:

“This is a very concerning development for the Trust and for Scotland. Blaeberry, oak and heather are all susceptible to this disease which could have a devastating impact on some of Scotland’s important natural habitats.

“The Trust has been working hard to raise awareness of these diseases and the need to improve the management of their threat and we feel that there is an urgent need for the Scottish Government to tackle their inexorable spread.”

Ken Thorburn, Brodick Property Manager said:

“Staff at Brodick have been working hard to deal with this very difficult disease. It is having an impact on the gardens, so we are very worried about the impact it could have on Merkland Wood, a very mature woodland that is popular with local people.”

In line with Scottish Government procedures on dealing with P. kernoviae, public access to Merkland Wood will be restricted.  

The National Trust for Scotland has for many months been considering how some of its office space is used and whether there could be merit in relocating some of its staff.

This includes considering options for its central Edinburgh base at Wemyss House and whether flexible working practices could offer some staff the opportunity to work from home if and when appropriate.

This review is still ongoing. It is understandable in troubled times that as a charity it is incumbent upon the Trust to review where savings can be made. We are therefore considering location issues on both environmental and economic grounds.  

Sir John Stirling Maxwell Bt of Pollok entered into a Conservation Agreement with the National Trust for Scotland over the whole of the Pollok Estate in 1939. The Conservation Agreement sets out the purposes that are permitted within the Park and the Trust’s approval is required for any variations within these purposes.

It is the Trust’s firm view that it does not have an absolute veto under the terms of the 1939 Conservation Agreement in this case but it does expect to be separately consulted at an early stage about any new proposals within the Pollok Estate.

Initially this did not happen in this case and separate consultation did not begin until after the granting of planning permission to Go Ape by Glasgow City Council. Therefore, without sufficient information when the Trust first became aware of the planning application, it felt compelled to lodge an objection. This was not upheld by Glasgow City Council and it has now been superseded by the granting of planning permission. Now however, the consultation process is fully under way.

Under the terms of the gift of Pollok House, its collection and the land now known as Pollok Country Park, to the City of Glasgow in 1967, the Pollok Advisory Committee was established to advise on the wider Estate. The PAC acts as a liaison body for the owners of the Estate and it is chaired by the Trust. It gives advice to the Maxwell Macdonald family (the original owners of the estate) and Glasgow City Council who now own it. Initially, the Go Ape proposals were not brought to the PAC but it is now examining them.

There will be further consultation with Go Ape, Glasgow City Council and Save Pollok Park, and representatives of Save Pollok Park have been invited for a further meeting as part of the consultation process.

Had the Trust been consulted at an earlier stage over this project it is likely the charity would have preferred it to be sited in a different location within Pollok Park instead of the current proposal in the North Wood.

Save Pollok Park’s issue with Glasgow City Council over Go Ape continues and for matters to reach a conclusion the National Trust for Scotland believes all parties should be willing to discuss the matter fully with each other, to reach a solution.
 

A new initiative was launched today (5 November) to encourage people from all walks of life to celebrate their links with places in Scotland that mean something special to them.

Placebook Scotland is a web-based project created by the Scottish Landscape Forum. It allows people to submit pictures, film, music and writing that capture the essence of their place. This could be their own backyard or street where they grew up, town centre or local feature; anything that gives their place its identity.

The project was launched at Moncreiffe primary school in Perth, where a group of pupils were among the first to log on and tell others about their place. Joining them was Scottish Environment Minister Michael Russell and Scots actress Daniela Nardini.

Minister for Environment Michael Russell welcomed the launch of the website and said:

"Landscape makes a significant contribution to Scottish identity and our rich natural and cultural heritage.

"Placebook Scotland will seek to cover as much as possible of Scotland's landscapes, townscapes and seascapes through the arts and I would encourage everyone to get involved.

"As Scotland gears up for 2009, the year of Homecoming, it is particularly apt that such a resource now exists to remind Scots both at home and abroad of Scotland's beautiful and diverse landscapes."

Reflecting on her upbringing in Largs, Daniella Nardini said:

"I have many fond memories of the Gogo Burn in Largs as I spent many happy hours with my friends when I was young jumping from stone to stone. And we often fell in as well!"

Ian Jardine, chief executive of Scottish Natural Heritage, one of the 22 organisations behind the project, added:

"It's great to see so much interest in this site already, not least the postings by the children of Moncreiffe primary school. We would urge everyone across the country and beyond to share their place on the website. Together we can create a huge archive of material that will celebrate the close links between people and places. That's what Placebook Scotland is all about."

Conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland is supporting PlaceBook Scotland by playing host to project officer Irene Watson for the duration of the project. Robin Turner, Head of Archaeology for the National Trust for Scotland and Scottish Landscape Forum member said:

"The Trust is lucky to care for some of Scotland's truly awe-inspiring places, from the impressive peaks of Torridon to the dual World Heritage Site of St Kilda. We know the deep connection people can have with places like these, but also with the more everyday places where they live and work. PlaceBook Scotland is a fantastic opportunity for people to express their feelings about Scotland's landscapes and townscapes, and show how much they mean to their sense of place. We hope the project helps people feel inspired by their landscapes, so that they can be protected and enjoyed by everyone."

From today people can submit their material to the Placebook Scotland website at www.placebookscotland.com as well as browse the other entries.
 

There is more to celebrate than Halloween in Alloway today when the Robert Burns birthplace cottage, other heritage assets and all the land where they are located, are donated to the National Trust for Scotland.

This milestone enables the conservation charity to begin work to create the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum which is due for completion in 2010.

The cottage, an irreplaceable collection of artifacts and original manuscripts, and other assets including the iconic Burns monument, are being generously donated by the Burns Monument Trust.

The land and the Tam o’Shanter Experience is valued at £2.8 million and is South Ayrshire Council’s considerable contribution to the National Trust for Scotland’s ambitious £21 million Burns project.

These newly acquired assets will now form the core of plans to develop the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.

National Trust for Scotland Chairman Shonaig Macpherson said:

“The Trust is thrilled to accept this very generous donation of land and property from both the Burns Monument Trust and South Ayrshire Council, which will allow us to progress our plans for the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.

“We are confident that the new museum will attract people from across the globe as well as from Scotland to Alloway, helping to boost tourism locally and to promote the many other benefits of a visit to South Ayrshire. The fans of Robert Burns will undoubtedly be grateful to the Burns Monument Trust and South Ayrshire Council for their role in bringing the new museum into being.

“We are grateful to the many people who have played a part in enabling this transfer to take place. This enables us to begin the next phase of our fundraising activities to deliver the new museum. We look forward to achieving our ambitious vision in Alloway and creating the Museum and welcoming the thousands of visitors who flock there every year to learn more about one of our most iconic writers.”

South Ayrshire Council Leader Hugh Hunter said:

“Over the last few years, we have worked closely with the National Trust for Scotland to progress these plans and it has been a very positive working experience.

“I have absolute confidence that the Trust will make this museum one of the UK’s most culturally significant and impressive visitor destinations, celebrating the life and times of one of the world’s most influential cultural and literary figures.

“I am delighted we have played a pivotal role in helping develop something truly extraordinary that will, for generations to come, be inspiring and educational, as well as attracting people from across the globe.

“South Ayrshire Council is committed to continuing our positive working relationship with the Trust to make these fabulous plans into a world class facility.

“Tourism is one of the largest income generators for this area and Burns is going to be a major factor in influencing how we market and promote South Ayrshire in the future.”

The Chairman of the Burns Monument Trust, the Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran, Mr John L Duncan, QPM, said:

“Today marks the end of almost 200 years of work. The Burns Monument Trust has, since its inception in 1814, shouldered the responsibility of preserving the heritage of Burns and building the finest collection of Burns documents and artifacts in the world.

“It is thanks to early trustees’ work that today we, the current trustees of the Monument Trust, are able to pass that responsibility over to the National Trust for Scotland. No safer hands could be found. We are confident that everything that the Burns Monument Trust has preserved, built up and cared for over many years is secure.”
 

Loyal supporters of the National Trust for Scotland are being offered the opportunity to become part of a tribute scroll for Robert Burns in Alloway.

The direct mail initiative marks the first phase of the conservation charity’s fundraising efforts for its ambitious Robert Burns Birthplace Museum which aims to provide a fitting legacy for Scotland’s most popular writer.

More than 14,000 members have been given the opportunity to sign up to a donors’ scroll which will appear online and at the new museum in Alloway when it is complete in 2010 – in return for a £30 donation.

The fundraising push is to help the Trust towards raising the remaining £4 million it needs for the project, and is part of a larger effort to promote Burns and his works to the world.

National Trust for Scotland Chairman Shonaig Macpherson recently visited the United States and Canada, spreading the word about the Trust’s plans and highlighting the influence of Burns’ work, especially as the 250th anniversary of his birth approaches in 2009.

The Trust’s Robert Burns Birthplace Museum will be one of the UK’s most culturally significant and impressive visitor destinations. This world-class attraction will be the largest project the National Trust for Scotland has ever undertaken and will epitomize Scotland’s proud heritage, celebrating the life and work of one of Scotland’s greatest figures – Robert Burns.

Chairman Shonaig Macpherson said:

“The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is the Trust’s most ambitious project to date and we need support from our members, Scotland and beyond to help us realise our goal of providing a fitting tribute – one that truly recognises and celebrates Burns and his importance to our nation.

“The museum will surely become a key cultural attraction in the years ahead and while we are preserving the past by safeguarding the poet’s possessions, manuscripts and other artefacts, we are also seeking to bring Burns, his life and his work to future generations too. His contribution to Scotland’s culture is immense and the Trust is excited to be playing such an important part in spreading the word about his achievements and inspiring generations for the next 250 years.”

Project Curator David Hopes added:

“Burns is known and appreciated across the world. Here in his homeland, with this museum, we will finally be able to showcase the full story of Burns for all to see and allow future generations to celebrate his extraordinary work and unique legacy in the place where his life began.”

This is part of the public appeal in support of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.

 

The findings from the first phase of a review of charitable status carried out by Scotland’s charity regulator, give the National Trust for Scotland charity a clean bill of health.

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) announced its long awaited report this week and it has been warmly welcomed by the National Trust for Scotland.

OSCR applied what they described as their “charity test” to 30 such organisations, ranging from the National Trust for Scotland, the Robertson Trust through to smaller charities such as the Willows Animal Sanctuary. The test required charities to demonstrate they provide public benefit, resulting in greater transparency and accountability and an increased public understanding of the contribution made by the likes of the Trust.

In the case of the National Trust for Scotland OSCR considered the charity to have the following purposes – “the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science” and the “advancement of environmental protection or improvement.”

The Trust’s Finance Director, Lesley Watt commented:

“As a leading conservation charity we were pleased to be amongst the first to take part in OSCR’s rolling review and pass their assessment. Anything that helps promote a greater understanding of charities is a good thing, especially as in our case many people don’t realise the National Trust for Scotland is a charity, relying on donations, legacies and membership.”

The charities selected for the Rolling Review from Scotland’s 23,500 charities included membership organisations, care providers, housing associations and independent schools and are part of an ongoing OSCR programme for the coming years.  

One of the North-East’s most beautiful castles has been wrapped up for winter. The National Trust for Scotland’s Craigievar Castle in Alford, Aberdeenshire has been swathed in heavy hessian to protect it through the winter months.

The castle is currently closed to the public and is undergoing a major renovation project. The existing cement harling has been removed and replaced with a traditional lime mortar.

Now the building has been wrapped in hessian to help ensure that the new harling sets properly by protecting it from frost and also ensuring that water in the lime mortar evaporates very slowly. The castle is also under scaffolding.

Property Manager Daphne Rose said:

“The old cement harling was damaging the castle by retaining water and causing damp and rot. The newly applied lime mortar is breathable and will ensure that if water gets in to the building, it can evaporate harmlessly. We’re really pleased with the progress that Laing's Traditional Masonry, our contractors, have made over the summer in our project to ensure that Craigievar survives for hundreds more years.

“The cement has totally gone and most of the new harling is in place. Lime mortar needs the right conditions to ensure that it sets well – we need to make sure that it’s protected from frost and that the mortar can dry out slowly. Hessian works well for this as it is a breathable fabric that allows moisture in and out.

“We are virtually finished with the lime work now and are already looking towards carrying out some conservation work on the wonderful decorative stonework that makes Craigievar so special.”

Craigievar Castle has been closed to the public since October 2007. It is expected to re-open in Spring 2010. The grounds are open daily.

 

A film depicting the dramatic events of one of Scotland’s most important historic battles is being updated for the 21st Century.

The National Trust for Scotland is creating a brand new high-definition film of the events of the Battle of Bannockburn to display at its heritage centre in Stirling, which commemorates the 1314 battle, where Robert the Bruce’s army defeated King Edward II’s men.

The film that is currently shown at the conservation charity’s Bannockburn Heritage Centre was made in the 1980s and will be replaced by the brand new version.

Shooting for many of the live action scenes for the film took place this weekend (25 and 26 October), at Dalmahoy Country Estate in West Lothian.

Around 120 battle re-enactors and extras helped recreate the drama and tragedy of the historic battle, with carefully choreographed scenes that depict the brutality of the medieval battle involving horses and authentic weaponry too.

Computer generated imagery will also be used to help create a realistic view of the battle for visitors. Expert historians have been advising on the project too – Dr Fiona Watson and Bob Woosnam-Savage.

The 10 minute film is expected to make its debut at the Bannockburn Heritage Centre in spring 2009.

Colin MacConnachie, the Trust’s Head of Learning Services said:

“The Battle of Bannockburn is central to Scotland’s story and we want to bring that critical event in this country’s history to life, to enhance the visitor experience for the thousands of visitors and school pupils who come to our Bannockburn Heritage Centre every year.

“Recent technological advances mean that the potential to provide a truly awe-inspiring educational film is now a real possibility. Through our experiences with the very thought-provoking affecting film at Culloden, we now have a better understanding of what can be achieved and just how much it adds to the visitors experience and understanding of these significant historical events.

“The new film will give visitors an insight into the historical context of the battle, as well as a taste of what it may have been like on the battlefield almost 700 years ago.”

The film is being produced by NoblesGate, who also made the acclaimed 360o immersive film that is a key part of the visitor experience at the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre.

Film Director Craig Collinson, explained his vision for the project. He said:

“As a Scottish filmmaker, getting to visually interpret the Battle of Bannockburn on this scale is a rare privilege. Scottish audiences hardly ever get to experience an event like this on the big screen, but when they do it can really stir their imaginations.

“My aim is to capture not only some of the sheer drama of how the battle unfolded - the incredibly intimidating site of Edward's vast army, the jaw dropping duel that took place between Bruce and one of the English knights and the awesome site of the Scottish spearman advancing - but also the awful hand to hand brutality and to remind the 21st Century visitor to the National Trust for Scotland site that thousands lost their lives in the most unimaginably horrific way.

“Ultimately though this is about inspiring a younger generation of Scots, who just might, through seeing the battle visualised on this scale, be stimulated enough to take more of an interest in their country's amazing history.”

 

The pupils of Kirkhill Primary in Newton Mearns are gearing up to raise funds to help refurbish the ‘Foam’ pond at the National Trust for Scotland’s Greenbank Garden in Clarkston.

The pond was damaged this summer when thieves stole two 20 year old fish from the garden.

Generous pupils from Kirkhill Primary are helping to raise funds for the garden as they celebrate ‘Greenbank Garden Week’ from Monday 27 October. During this week, the pupils will build a paper pond and every class will design a fish for the pond.

Greenbank garden staff will pick a winning class fish and the successful class will join Kirkhill Pupil Council on a tour of the garden to inspect the work that is currently underway to repair the damage. And in April, they will return to release new fish into the pond.

Pupils will also pay to come dressed however they like on Halloween. They can come in a scary costume or in casual clothes and know that their wardrobe choices are supporting important conservation work at Greenbank Garden.

Property manager David Ferguson said:

“The pupils at Kirkhill have been very generous in their support of the garden and we really want to say thanks. The funds they raise through their events next week are very welcome at the garden and will help us to repair the famous Foam pond, which is one of our greatest treasures.”

Anyone interested in supporting Greenbank Garden’s refurbishment work should contact David on 0844 493 2201.  

A rare fungus has been discovered at the National Trust for Scotland’s Craigievar Castle in Alford, Aberdeenshire.

Golden Bootleg or Phaeolepiota aurea, is a very distinctive, large mushroom with an obvious ring on the stem. The fungus can grow up to 18 centimetres high. It is thought to be rare in the UK, but is being found more and more in its favoured habitats of roadsides, parks and nettle beds as it likes moist, nitrogen-rich conditions.

Trust ranger Toni Watt found a large troop of the fungus under the cover of nettles while surveying for bats.

Toni said:

“Golden Bootleg is not that common in the UK, so I was surprised to find it at Craigievar. It is very distinctive and large, so is easily spotted though. This fungi is fairly unusual find, so we’d ask visitors to look, but not to touch.”

Craigievar Castle is currently undergoing a major repair and renovation project and is under scaffolding. It has been closed to visitors since October 2007, but the grounds are open daily.
 

More than 200 budding detectives have already tried to solve the mysterious case of Johnny Forrest at the National Trust for Scotland’s Crathes Castle in Banchory.

The castle is the scene of a baffling ‘whodunnit’ at the moment and visitors are helping to solve the complex and mysterious murder of a fictional rock star. Visitors track a series of clues as they tour the castle, trying to figure out who is responsible for the crime.

Since the murder mystery event started on 11 October, more than 200 visitors have searched for clues that point to the killer. There are only 10 days left to take part, solve the crime and be in with a chance of winning a fabulous Christmas hamper.

Property Manager Wendy McDonald said:

“The case of Johnny Forest is very mysterious and is proving to be pretty challenging. Already more than 200 visitors have tried to solve the case and win the fantastic Christmas hamper that’s on offer. There’s still time to visit and put your skills to the test.”

Dead on the Lawn – the mysterious case of the death of Johnny Forrest runs at Crathes Castle every day until Sunday 2 November.
 

Conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland is urging keen gardeners and nature lovers to follow its lead and plant patches of wildflowers to boost the bumblebee population.

Wildflowers like bird’s foot trefoil, yellow rattle and red clover were once common in Scotland’s countryside, but have declined in recent years because of changes in agriculture and in the way that roadside verges are cut. These plants are important food sources for many insects, especially bumblebees, whose populations have also been in decline.

The National Trust for Scotland is stepping up its work to create wildflower meadows at many of its properties, including Falkland Palace and Kellie Castle in Fife, the David Livingstone Centre in Blantyre and Inveresk Lodge Garden in Musselburgh. Areas of the grounds, including orchards, will be planted with important native plants to help conserve wildflowers and preserve natural habitats for insects.

And now, the conservation charity is asking green-fingered enthusiasts to plant wildflowers in gardens, allotments, community areas or other green spaces. The call comes as many wildflower seeds need to be planted soon, so that the plants are in place for next summer.

Mr Lindsay Mackinlay, Nature Conservation Adviser said:

“Over the years, the populations of many insects have been in serious decline because habitats like wildflower meadows have largely disappeared from our countryside. Past changes in agricultural practices have been mainly to blame for this and even the wildflower refuges on our road verges have been suffering. It is no wonder that we are all so worried about the future of our bumblebees - they are so dependant on healthy populations of these plants.

“Fortunately, we can all act to conserve both these precious plants and insects. Many farmers now manage areas of wildflowers and a recent survey by the Trust has shown that many of our own meadows are still full of them. Go to Venniehill at Gatehouse of Fleet or Kittochside by East Kilbride and you will be able to experience these special places.

“Keen gardeners can play their part too by planting an area of wildflowers for next summer and the years beyond. Even the smallest space can make a difference. Wildflower seeds are widely available - just make sure you buy seeds from Scottish plants as they grow best. The plants can be grown in pots at first and don’t need too much care and attention. They look and smell fantastic and, of course, you’d be doing your bit to boost our bumblebees.”

 

A spooky walk at dusk in the atmospheric grounds of the National Trust for Scotland’s Culzean Castle in Maybole, Ayrshire sold out in record time last week.

All tickets for the Light into Dark walk were snapped up within ten minutes of going on sale. And it seems likely that the castle’s next big event ‘the Haunted Castle’ will prove just as popular when tickets go on sale, this Friday (24 October) at 9am.

Property manager Paul Pomfret said:

“Culzean is a great place to visit all year round with something for all the family. We are so pleased that our autumn events are proving so popular, but the best is yet to come. This Christmas, Culzean will be truly transformed into a magical experience. Our Enchanted Castle events are a chance to meet your favourite fairytale characters in real life. The success of our autumn events does mean that you should book your tickets early.”

Culzean Castle and Country Park has a packed programme of events all year round.

Forthcoming events include:

National Apple Day – 26 October - embrace all things autumnal and enjoy fantastic fresh fruit from the garden.

Christmas Music in the Castle – 6 December – festive music from Ayres and Graces. Tickets are on sale now and cost £8.

The Enchanted Castle – 7 & 14 December - The Castle will be transformed by music, song and spectacular light. In each room a childhood tale will be brought to life through costumed characters - you may meet and dance with Cinderella and her Prince Charming, have tea with the Mad Hatter, or convince Scrooge to enjoy Christmas.

Tickets are available from 3 November and cost £10 for adults and £25 for a family. Bookings must be made in advance – no tickets are available on the day.

 

Primary pupils from across Fife and beyond are getting ready to see their Falkland-inspired art on show on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October.

More than 100 pupils have submitted entries to the National Trust for Scotland’s art competition, which asked young people to create original artworks using the Pleasure Grounds garden at Falkland Palace as inspiration.

Trust gardener Sonia Ferras-Mana came up with the idea of the competition to help commemorate the 60th anniversary of the garden’s creation by acclaimed designer, Percy Cane.

Pupils from Falkland and Strathmiglo Primaries in Cupar, Letham Primary near Cupar, Balmerino Primary in Newport-on-Tay, Burntisland Primary, Capshard Primary in Kirkcaldy and Hillside Primary in Dundee have all submitted entries which go on show in a free exhibition this weekend.

Sonia said:

“We have had a great response to the competition and there are some very creative young people out there in Fife and beyond. We wanted to use this event as an opportunity to inspire local young people and switch them on to the historic treasures that are on their doorstep. The artwork is fantastic and will be on display at the free exhibition Falkland Town Hall this weekend.”
 

Archaeologists working on St Kilda, the National Trust for Scotland’s dual World Heritage Site have discovered a cross-inscribed slab that had previously gone un-noticed on the island, thanks to the sun.

Staff from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) recently visited the island as part of a special project to investigate and record the rich variety of archaeological evidence that exist on St Kilda.

They discovered the cross on a piece of stone that had been reused as the cover slab of a drain. It had never been spotted before, despite being located in a well-investigated area of the island and experts say they only spotted it when the sun hit the slab as they were passing.

Two other cross-incised slabs have already been recorded in the area – one built into one of 1860s houses, the other into the roof of one of the cleits (the drystane storage sheds that are unique to the archipelago). It is thought that the three stones came from the nearby chapel or graveyard.

National Trust for Scotland archaeologist Jill Harden, who has worked extensively on the island said:

“We are so pleased to have made such an interesting discovery, and almost by chance. The slab would not have been spotted had the sun not hit it just so.

“This find demonstrates just how much there is still to discover and understand on all our properties.

“We are still a little surprised that this has been found here as the settlement area of Village Bay on Hirta is one of the most investigated historic landscapes cared for by the Trust. Nevertheless it is a brilliant discovery and one which will add to our understanding of this amazing location and the unique community it once supported.”

Strat Halliday, the archaeologist from RCAHMS who discovered the cross said:

“I was literally just watching where I was putting my feet, and there it was, clear as daylight. And to think I'd walked across the very same spot less than 24 hours previously. It all goes to show how important it is to visit sites more than once and at different times of the day. You never know what's going to pop up next.”

 

The National Trust for Scotland’s search to find young descendants of Culloden soldiers to open its exciting new visitor centre has been shortlisted for a top UK public relations prize.

The conservation charity worked with Platform PR from Beauly to come up with the inspiring concept that got young people from across the globe involved in learning more about their family history and one of Scotland’s most important historical events.

The campaign is one of only a handful of Scottish entries to make the shortlist at the prestigious PR Week awards which take place in London on Tuesday 21 October. The charity is nominated in the not-for-profit category and is up against stiff opposition, including Blue Rubicon for RNIB, Fleishman-Hillard for World Hepatitis Alliance World and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The Trust asked young people to research their family trees to find out if they had ancestors who had taken part in the battle. More than thirty entries from as far afield as Australia and Canada were received, but the winners came from closer to home. Scott Hay (11) from Kincraig and Philip Nicol (6) from Inverness took their place in history on 16 April 2008, the anniversary of the battle. They officially opened the world-class visitor centre in front of a distinguished gathering of local and national stakeholders and supporters.

Dee McIntosh, Director of Policy and Communications for the Trust said:

“We wanted to find a way of getting young people really involved with our Culloden project and capture their imagination about Scotland’s history. Lots of people are getting really into genealogy at the moment, so we thought that was a good way of making a huge, internationally significant event relevant and interesting to young people. It was an approach that attracted huge attention.

“It was also important that we helped challenge the idea that the battle was a straightforward fight between Scotland and England. In fact, Scottish men fought on both sides and the conflict tore families apart.

“That’s demonstrated especially well by one of our winners. Philip discovered that he is descended from both sides of the battle. His family tree shows that his ancestors, who were three brothers, had split allegiances - two were Jacobite army officers, while their brother fought with the Government troops.”

Jane Cumming, Platform PR Managing Director, said:

“It’s not often consultancies get the chance to work on challenging projects like this which involved young people in really finding out more about their heritage.

“It was a pleasure to work with the National Trust for Scotland on a well-planned and managed campaign which had such great results.”

The shortlisting is the latest in a series of awards for the new centre. The state of the art electronic battlefield guides have already taken the technology prise at the Museums and Heritage Awards in May 2008. The building has also been nominated for a number of other awards, including a World Architecture Festival Award.
 

One of the biggest ever bat roosts on National Trust for Scotland property has been discovered as part of a project by the conservation charity to count and catalogue bats.

More than 350 bats were observed at the roost at Hill of Tarvit in Fife, making it the most populated site discovered during the conservation charity’s eight week survey for bats at 17 of its historic sites. Four roosts were found at the Fife property during a two-day census.

During the project, which was part-funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, conservation specialists found plenty of evidence of healthy bat populations. The Trust discovered 14 new roosts that house a total if 515 bats at eight historic properties, including Culross in Fife and Harmony Garden in Melrose.

In total, bat experts and volunteers recorded over 1200 bat passes from different species including soprano pipistrelle, bandit pipistrelle and brown long-eared during the census which is part of the conservation charity’s ongoing work to protect and conserve the legally-protected mammals and their roosts.

Mr Lindsay Mackinlay, Nature Conservation Adviser said:

“Bats are vulnerable creatures and need our care and protection to ensure that they survive and thrive. Many bat populations have been in decline in Scotland for some time because of roost destruction and changes to their food supply, but there are now signs that some bat species are starting to recover.

“The results of our survey are very positive, showing that the Trust cares for some very healthy populations of bats. In fact, many of the bats spotted were feeding so there is clearly a ready supply of insects for them to eat.

“This shows that our approach of trying to conserve roosts whilst working around them is working. We also think that many of our wildlife conservation projects on our land, such as planting new wildflower meadows and managing our trees and woodland, is increasing the food available to bats and boosting populations, which is great news and will help us in our future work to conserve these fascinating creatures.”

Bat counts took place at Balmerino Abbey, Fife , Falkland Palace, Fife, Hill of Tarvit, Fife, Culross Palace, Fife, Alloa Tower, Clackmannanshire, Provan Hall, nr Easterhouse, Glasgow, Holmwood House, Glasgow, Greenbank Garden, Glasgow, Pollok House, Glasgow, Weaver’s Cottage, Kilbarchan, Geilston Garden, Cardross, Pineapple, Falkirk, Bannockburn, Stirling, Priorwood Garden, Melrose, Harmony Garden, Melrose, Moirlanich Longhouse, Killin and Hill House, Helensburgh.

Roosts were found at Culross, Geilston, Greenbank, Harmony, Hill of Tarvit (4 roosts), Holmwood, Moirlanich Longhouse, Provan Hall.  

Conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland says that measures currently in place to control two potentially devastating plant diseases - Phytophthora ramorum and P. kernoviae (sudden oak death) – are putting important gardens at risk.

In a response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the future management of risks from these diseases, the Trust said that the Scottish Government’s approach of treating individual outbreaks as ‘hotspots’ in isolation could lead to the loss of historic landscapes, gardens and significant plant collections. Currently, in affected gardens, a 2 metre buffer zone has to be cleared around each infected plant within 30 days and all debris has to be burned.

The Trust has direct experience of dealing with the diseases at four of its gardens in the West of Scotland, and is concerned that historic landscapes and important plants are being lost before heritage impact assessments and remedial conservation planning or plant recording can take place.

Significant areas of the beautiful Brodick gardens on Arran have been cleared as a result of the current method of managing these outbreaks.

The charity is also asking the government to put in place financial compensation for nursery businesses and owners of affected land.

Both strains of sudden oak death attack a wide range of plants, especially shrubs like rhododendron and magnolia. The diseases spread quickly and are widespread in South West England.

The Trust is seeking a more strategic and co-ordinated approach that is consistent across the whole UK. More investment in research is needed, as are more inspectors to test for the disease and map its presence across Scotland.

Jan Haenraets, Head of Gardens and Designed Landscapes Services at the Trust said:

“These diseases are very serious for Scotland. The Trust will continue to work closely with the Scottish Government to contain them, however, rather than using the present 30 day ‘hot spot’ approach for each site, a range of measures must be developed that take the scale of the outbreak and site-specific concerns into consideration.

“There is a real risk that, in the long term, this approach could cause irreversible damage to important historic landscapes. In some cases it does not give gardeners sufficient time to undertake the required measures.

“The Trust has been working hard with a range of stakeholders to combat the impact of these diseases, and every day, our own expert gardening staff put in huge efforts to control and contain them.

“These diseases don’t only threaten gardens. In England, there is a case where P. kernoviae has been found on heathland, so there are implications for wild landscapes too.

“We need to improve our knowledge of these diseases and their presence across the UK. Co-ordinated efforts to tackle them across Scotland, consistent with the rest of the UK are needed to protect our important gardens and landscapes for future generations.”

The Trust also responded to DEFRA’s consultation on the management of Phytophthora ramorum and P. kernoviae. Both responses are available at www.nts.org.uk/Policy/Work/.
 

The National Trust for Scotland’s Hugh Miller Museum and Birthplace Cottage in Cromarty, has again been awarded Visit Scotland’s five star rating as a top visitor attraction.

This is the third time the property has achieved the top grading. It was first awarded when the Miller House extension opened in 2004.

The new garden at the property which celebrates the life and work of the Scottish geologist, really impressed the assessors. Miller’s Yard opened in June this year and was described as “so beautiful” and “a fabulous new aspect” in the Visit Scotland report.

Reception at Miller House scored highly for “an excellent welcome”, which was continued to other visitors, with children “well catered for – well done!” The exterior appearance of both Miller House and the Birthplace Cottage also scored highly.

Property Manager Martin Gostwick said:

“We have to thank everyone involved in the Yard Project, and our Museum staff, for all the good teamwork which helped us to keep up the gold standard.”

Another Trust property was recently re-confirmed as a five star attraction. Newhailes in Musselburgh is a grand 17th century house with links to the Scottish enlightenment received the good news last month.
 

The National Trust for Scotland’s Crathes Castle in Banchory is the setting of a baffling ‘whodunnit’, as Halloween approaches.

The castle’s brand new murder mystery tour invites visitors to try out their skills of observation and deduction to solve the complex case of the recently deceased rock star Johnny Forrest.

Sharp-eyed visitors will try to spot a series of clues as they tour the castle, while also admiring its stunning interiors and fabulous collections of period furniture.

Property manager Wendy McDonald said:

“Crathes is always an atmospheric place to visit – especially at this time of year. We hope that our exciting new murder mystery proves really popular with visitors, adds an element of intrigue and makes their visit even more fun.”

The mystery event will run every day from Saturday 11 October until 2 November. Normal castle admission prices apply.
 

Writers of all ages are set to get creative and come up with evocative and tragic tales inspired by the Battle of Culloden.

The National Trust for Scotland is launching a competition for potential authors to pen a story inspired by recent archaeological finds at its Culloden Battlefield.

Extensive archaeological work was carried out by the conservation charity as it revamped and restored the battlefield and built a new visitor centre in a £9.5 million project. Many new finds were uncovered as a result, including a Celtic cross pendant and a musket trigger guard.

The conservation charity’s competition ‘Hidden Stories’ which launches on Wednesday 8 October, asks writers to produce stories inspired by these, and the many other, archaeological discoveries made at the site in recent years.

Competition organiser and learning manager at Culloden, Nicole Deufel said:

“Our new visitor centre has transformed the way we tell the story of Culloden. It is so exciting to see visitors inspired by the stories of our interactive characters. We really hope that our recent archaeological finds provide real inspiration to budding writers who can use their imaginations and come up with some very creative stories behind the battle - of the people who took to the field on this historic day, their struggles and their experiences.”

Entrants are invited to send in their stories of less than 1500 words by 21 February 2009. Winners will be selected in the under 14s, 14 – 18 and over 18s categories and entries can be in English or Gaelic and will be invited to read their story at the visitor centre on 18 April 2009, following the annual memorial service.

Further information is available from Nicole on 0844 493 2159 or email ndeufel@nts.org.uk.

Entries should be submitted to:
Nicole Deufel
Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre
Inverness
IV2 5EU.
 

An appeal to preserve some of Scotland’s most popular and dramatic mountains has got off to a great start, raising more than £40,000 in 40 days.

The National Trust for Scotland’s Sole Trading Appeal was launched on 28 August this year. Already, generous supporters have donated in excess of £46,000 to help the conservation charity continue crucial repair work on pathways at Trust properties including Torridon, Glencoe and Kintail to help prevent erosion and protect the fragile mountain environment.

The conservation charity is aiming to raise £80,000 this year to fund the work of its dedicated upland footpath team, and specialist contractors. These skilled and hardy workers care for more than 394 miles of mountain paths and spend 50 per cent of their work time at altitudes over 2500ft in places like Ben Lawers, Ben Lomond, Mar Lodge Estate, Glencoe and Kintail.

Arthur Martin, Head of Countryside at the Trust said:

“The response to our appeal this year has been fantastic. There are so many people out there who appreciate the work that the Trust does to protect and conserve some of Scotland’s most rugged and remote mountain landscapes.

“We are already more than half way towards our target for this year. This will help us make big strides in carrying on with the ongoing specialist work needed to maintain our mountain pathways in some of Scotland’s most stunning and fragile highland areas.”

Donations to the appeal can be made at www.nts.org.uk/soletrading
 

A rare alpine plant that was in danger of disappearing from the slopes of Ben Lawers forever has been saved after conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland stepped in.

In 1998, there was only one surviving highland saxifrage on the slopes of the Central Highlands highest mountain. This summer, a survey found 12 plants thriving on the hillside, after a Trust programme to re-establish the plant.

Highland saxifrage (Saxifraga rivularis) is a nationally rare species adapted to grow in some of the harshest arctic alpine conditions. In Scotland, it is found in about 20 mountain locations, including Ben Lawers. In the sixties there were around 25 individual plants there but the population has been declining, due, in part, to illegal plant collecting.

Concerned conservationists at the National Trust for Scotland decided to act to stop the alpine plant from becoming extinct at Ben Lawers. In 1998, seeds taken under special licence from saxifrage plants at the Trust’s Glencoe property were used to cultivate new plants for the Stirlingshire site.

Property Manager David Mardon said:

“For more than twenty years, there was a real threat that highland saxifrage would die out from Ben Lawers forever. This would be very sad as the mountain is internationally renowned for its rich and diverse range of alpine plantlife.

“We decided that we must act to conserve this fragile and rare plant for future generations. We are very pleased to see the cultivated plants establishing themselves on the hillside and even producing offspring. We hope this means that the slopes of Ben Lawers will continue to be decorated by the small white blossoms of the highland saxifrage each springtime, for decades to come.“
 

Grateful grandkids can say thanks to their treasured grannies and grandads with a free day out on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October 2008, thanks to the National Trust for Scotland.

Simply by cutting out the coupons in the local press or printing off the special voucher from www.nts.org.uk/grandparentsday children can take a grandparent for free to any of the Trust’s 129 properties across Scotland, when a child pays admission.

National events manager, Jill McNicol said:

“The Trust is packed with perfect places to take gran or grandad this weekend to thank them for all the time and treats that they spoil you with all year round.

“Whether it’s studying the fascinating story of the Battle of Culloden at our hugely popular new visitor centre or taking in a beautiful autumnal woodland walk at the glorious Threave garden, there is something to suit visitors of all ages at the Trust.”

For a full list of Trust properties, visit www.nts.org.uk/Visits.


 

Archaeologists from the National Trust for Scotland have spent days recording the remains of a 2000 year old rubbish pit on Iona.

The site was discovered eroding out of the sandy bank of a burn on the west side of the island by National Trust for Scotland Archaeologist, Derek Alexander.

The pit, which was cut in half by a burn and a sheep path contained a wealth of prehistoric domestic refuse, including limpet and whelk shells, burnt and unburnt bones from sheep, goats and a grey seal, shards of pottery thought to date from the late Bronze Age or Iron Age. Flint and a large cobble stone tool were also found.

Trust experts say that the remains may suggest there was a nearby settlement.

Trust archaeologist Derek Alexander said:

“Although this is only a small site, the finds are quite exciting as they suggest a settlement close by. Despite the obvious early Christian history of Iona very little is known of its prehistoric settlement, so this discovery is an important addition to our knowledge of this remarkable island.”
 

One of Fife’s premier heritage properties will soon look a whole century younger thanks restoration work by the National Trust for Scotland.

The conservation charity’s Hill of Tarvit mansionhouse is undergoing the facelift as part of a programme of work to restore the house to its former glory. The house’s original white limewash exterior from 1906 will soon replace the grey stone that stands today.

Conservation experts at the charity analysed the exterior walls and discovered that up until the 1940s, the house was covered in a white limewash.

Already this year, Hill of Tarvit has had its heating overhauled. As well as restoring the building to its original colour, the guttering and windows are being painted to complete the rejuvenation of the popular property which has welcomed approximately 7000 visitors in 2008.

Property Manager Ruth Burgess said:

“It is quite a transformation to see this familiar façade turn from a mellow grey to a bright and vibrant white. We are still on the first coat at the moment, with another two to be applied over the next few weeks. When that process is complete we’ll be looking at the Hill of Tarvit house as it was in 1906 when it was remodelled by Sir Robert Lorimer.”
 

The National Trust for Scotland is reaching out across the Atlantic to strengthen its ties with the United States and Canada this week, as part of a major fundraising programme for the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway.

Trust Chairman Shonaig Macpherson starts her trip tomorrow, October 1, when she travels to Atlanta, follows onto Chicago on the 2nd -5th and takes the last leg of her trip in Toronto on October 6. Shonaig will meet a number of influential business people, politicians and supporters of Scotland to spread the word about its vital work in protecting and preserving Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage.
In Canada, she will announce the creation of a new fundraising foundation which establishes the first official ties between the National Trust for Scotland and Canada and will help raise the charity’s profile amongst the many Canadians with connections to or affection for Scotland.

The main theme of the trip will be to raise awareness of the plans for the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum which is planned for completion in 2010.

Shonaig Macpherson said: “Robert Burns has international appeal and this trip is an important step for the National Trust for Scotland, as we take forward our plans for a brand new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. It will appeal to Scots and Burns’ lovers world-wide.

"I was surprised to hear that in Atlanta, there is a replica of the Alloway cottage where Burns was born which I will be visiting during my time in the States. It is a testament to his popularity that such a tribute can be found so far from Ayrshire. In fact, Burns had some very powerful American admirers, including Abraham Lincoln, who commented on his genius.

"This is a great opportunity to promote the National Trust for Scotland to an international audience which identifies strongly with Scotland, its history and heritage. Given how popular Burns is here I am sure many people will be interested in our ambitious plans to create a fitting legacy for this iconic Scotsman who is deeply appreciated on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The Burns cottage in Atlanta was built in 1910 to house the Burns Club of Atlanta. One of the club’s founders was Joseph Jacobs who also owned the Atlanta drug-store where Coca-Cola was first carbonated.

In Toronto, Shonaig Macpherson will be joined by the Trust’s President, the Duke of Buccleuch, Richard Montagu-Douglas-Scott to launch the first National Trust for Scotland Funding Foundation in Canada. The foundation will raise awareness and support for the work of the conservation charity amongst Canadians. A similar foundation already exists in the United States.

The Chairman said: "Many Canadians have strong links with Scotland and are very interested in the culture, history and environment there. This foundation is a great opportunity for the Trust to connect with an audience that cares about Scotland and who could support the Trust’s vital role in preserving and conserving Scotland’s natural and cultural treasures for future generations.”
 

A leading expert on Scotland’s best loved poet Robert Burns will give a glimpse into the impact of Burns’ favourite books upon the bard at a talk at the Wigtown Book Festival on Wednesday 1 October.

David Hopes, project curator for the National Trust for Scotland’s Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, will focus on the influence of Burns’ favourite books upon the poet’s own work at the McNeillie Tent from 10.30am.

David Hopes said: “It’s a pleasure to be participating in the Wigtown Book Festival and to continue spreading the word of Burns, who is still so inspiring to many, almost 250 years after his birth.

“I’ll be looking at the significance of Burns’s early reading during this talk. There is no doubt that Burns was heavily influenced by his favourite writers who helped him develop the style for which he is now so celebrated.

“It’s also a great opportunity to talk to some real Burns enthusiasts about the museum collection in Alloway which holds some real literary treasures that are such a significant part of our Scottish heritage.”

David will also discuss plans for the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, which is due to be completed in 2010.

David Hopes ‘Burns’s Books’
Wigtown Book Festival
Wednesday 1st October, from 10.30am
Price: £6
For more information visit: www.wigtownbookfestival.com/  

A dedicated volunteer who has given thousands of hours over a thirty year period to the National Trust for Scotland has been presented with an award.

Willie McKnight from Ramsgate in Kent is this year’s recipient of the George Waterston Memorial Award which is presented annually to a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to the conservation charity.

Willie has been volunteering with the National Trust for Scotland's Thistle Camp programme since 1973. Thistle Camps are residential working holidays organised by the Trust to help in the conservation and management of its countryside properties. Willie has led many groups of volunteers in vital conservation work that has benefited Trust properties all over Scotland, giving more than 5000 hours to the charity.

National Volunteering Manager Violet Dalton said:

“We could not run Thistle Camps without the hard work of dedicated volunteer leaders like Willie. As well as working alongside the volunteers on the conservation projects in hand, he takes care of all the behind the scenes work like driving the minibus, sorting out meals and taking care of health and safety.

“Willie’s exceptional leadership skills mean that his Thistle Camps are among our most popular. Returning volunteers often request his camps by name. He takes a group of ten or twelve strangers and turns them into a team of friends within hours by paying attention to the needs of each individual and using his terrific sense of humour to defuse any potential problems. Because volunteers have such wonderful experiences working with Willie, they want to come back and donate their time to the Trust again.

“We are immensely grateful for the contribution Willie has made to the Trust over the past thirty years or so and hope he continues to do so for many more years.”

While Willie’s contribution to the Trust is evident across Scotland, he feels most at home in the west.

He said:

“I like the west coast properties. I like the landscape, the seascape, the wildness, the remoteness. I couldn’t pick a favourite - they’ve all got something special.”

Some of Willie’s other achievements include helping establish the Trust’s Corporate Challenge programme which enables companies and their staff to get involved in conservation volunteer work and contributing to a project to preserve habitat for Corncrakes on Iona.

For the first time, a runner-up award was also presented. Alice MacNeil (18) from Edinburgh spent 6 months with the Trust’s Policy and Communications team as a ProjectScotland volunteer. She worked on a project to improve information for visitors on how to reach some of the Trust’s most popular properties on public transport, on foot and by bike.

Director of Policy and Communications Dee McIntosh said:

“Alice’s contribution to the team was outstanding and she helped us make great strides in an important project. She is an impressive young person who clearly has a bright future ahead of her. We very much hope that her time in the Trust will encourage her to put her talents to use in an environmental or conservation sphere in the future.”

The awards were presented at the Trust’s Annual General Meeting in Aberdeen on Saturday 27 September 2008. Willie could not attend and his award was collected by Kim Safianoff, outdoor action co-ordinator with the Trust.

 

Mel Houston joins a small team of specialists today in the Trust’s Collections Conservation Team. She is undertaking a 12-month internship in preventive conservation as part of a UK-wide programme organised by the Institute of Conservation (Icon) and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Conservators work to protect and preserve objects such as textiles, paintings, books and monuments for the future. They provide advice on managing temperature and humidity, light levels and controlling pests that could damage collections.

As one of the few organisations in Scotland which employs a permanent staff of conservators, the Trust felt it was important to contribute to this crucial and highly-specialised profession.

The Trust’s Head of Collections Conservation Services, Clare Meredith said:

“As a conservation charity, we are committed to protecting and preserving some of Scotland’s most important treasures for future generations. That means we must also play our part in developing the specialist professional skills involved in caring for those treasures.

“We are very pleased to be involved in the third year of this prestigious scheme which is already making a significant contribution to the heritage sector by helping ensure that there is a ready supply of qualified conservators in the UK with the necessary breadth of experience.

“The Trust is superbly placed to offer a newly-qualified conservator an exceptional firsthand experience of delivering preventive conservation. Our collections are so varied and we care, quite literally, for hundreds of thousands of items on open display at our properties. This is an enormous challenge for the Trust’s conservators and Mel will learn much from being part of the team.”

Mel, who was previously a seasonal assistant at the Trust’s Tenement House in Glasgow, will work on a wide range of conservation projects, including helping to develop a pest management plan for all Trust properties. This is an important issue for heritage properties due to an increase in pests which is thought to be linked to changing weather patterns.

Mel said:

“This is a terrific opportunity for me to gain work experience in preventive conservation. I feel very lucky to be the first Trust intern funded by this scheme and am looking forward to working with all the Trust conservators over the next year.

For the next 12 months, Icon is facilitating 10 specialist internships hosted by different heritage organisations across the UK. Icon’s ground-breaking programme, which encourages entrants from non-academic routes into the conservation profession, is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The internships come with an annual education stipend of £14,750 and a range of support, development and networking opportunities.

Carol Brown, Development Manager for Icon, said:

“The success of this scheme depends on the calibre of supervision and range of professional experience provided by host organisations. Icon is delighted that the Trust has joined the programme and is offering such an exceptional opportunity to a newly-qualified conservator.”

 

Stephanie Evans, 22, from Banchory has just completed her LLB at Aberdeen University, where she obtained first class honours.

She has now been awarded the inaugural Colin Donald Environmental Law Prize which the conservation charity ran in conjunction with leading law firm McGrigors LLP and the University of Glasgow.

The prize is given in honour of the lawyer, the late Colin Donald, who had a distinguished association with the Trust, McGrigors LLP and the University, spanning a period of four decades.

As part of her prize, Stephanie will take up summer placements with both the National Trust for Scotland and McGrigors LLP in summer 2009.

She attended the National Trust for Scotland’s Annual General Meeting in Aberdeen on 27 September 2008, where she was presented with an engraved jug by Mrs Theresa Donald, wife of the late Colin Donald.

Entrants were asked to write an essay on an issue of environmental law. In her entry, Stephanie examined the relationship between renewable energy development and the wider aim of sustainable development in Scotland. The young lawyer impressed judges with her strong and well-articulated ideas.

Trust chairman Shonaig Macpherson said:

“Stephanie is a worthy recipient for our first ever Colin Donald Environmental Law Prize. She is an impressive young woman with a clear commitment to the law.

“Her entry demonstrated a real understanding of the complex areas of environmental law, as well as a passion for the wider issue of the environment – something that is obviously important to a conservation charity like ours and characteristics that Colin Donald himself would have very much appreciated.

“We are very much looking forward to welcoming her to the Trust next summer, where she will undoubtedly make a big impact. We already have an important project on the Trust’s compliance with environmental legislation in mind for Stephanie.”

Stephanie said:

“I am honoured to be the first winner of the Colin Donald Environmental Law Prize. This is an important area of law which the wider public need to be alerted to. The relationship between sustainable development and the renewable energy drive in Scotland is a complex matter. Failure to adequately address these concerns could have detrimental implications for the environment.”

Mrs Donald said:

“I was delighted to learn that a prize in environmental law had been launched in honour of my late husband. The prizes neatly combines his three greatest interests, namely the law, the Trust and last but by no means least the University of Glasgow.

“It has been a great pleasure to be a lay member of the judging panel. All of the submissions were interesting and instructive and I have learned a great deal myself about environmental law!

“Stephanie wrote an excellent, Scottish-based essay on renewable energy and I had no hesitation in agreeing with the rest of the panel that she as a worthy winner.”

Jennifer Ballantyne, a partner with McGrigors LLP said:

"Congratulations to Stephanie. I look forward to welcoming her into my Environmental Law team at McGrigors for her work placement and I am so pleased the Colin Donald Memorial Prize in Environmental Law has had such a successful inaugural year."

Professor Tom Mullen from Glasgow University said:

"Stephanie Evans wrote an excellent essay. The judges were impressed by the quality of her research, her grasp of both the policy and legal issues, and her ability to make complex issues of law and policy understandable for the reader. We were pleased that the first year of the prize produced such a distinguished contribution to the debate on environmental issues."

Eager applicants for next year’s award can contact Professor Tom Mullen, School of Law, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ or by email to t.mullen@law.gla.ac.uk for more information.

 

The conservation charity recently installed the composting toilet and revamped the car park at Linn of Dee in Aberdeenshire as part of a programme of work to improve facilities for Mar Lodge Estate’s 120,000 annual visitors.

Judges for the Aberdeenshire Design Awards said the design was well thought out and worthy of commendation.

The toilet was built with as many locally sourced and environmentally friendly materials as possible, including non-toxic linseed paints for the exterior and larch shingles for the roof.

National Trust for Scotland Property Manager for Mar Lodge Estate Chris Hewitt and project architect Dave Chouman collected the award earlier this month at a ceremony in Aberdeen.

Chris said:

“We are so pleased that our careful planning has been recognised. Thousands of people use Linn of Dee as their gateway to the Cairngorms and we knew that our facilities had to be high quality, so that visitors would come back again and again.

“We also had to ensure that the car park and toilet were modern, sustainable and appropriate for the surroundings. Obviously, plumbing is an issue in this location, so we decided that a compost toilet was an environmentally sound and safe option. We are pleased with how the project has turned out and how it is already improving the visitor experience at Mar Lodge Estate.”
 

The National Trust for Scotland’s Newhailes is celebrating success as a top-quality visitor attraction today.

The grand 17th century house, which boasts an impressive library built by Sir David Dalrymple has been confirmed again as a five star tourist attraction by Visit Scotland.

Newhailes was first awarded the five star rating in 1997 and has undergone assessments every two years since then. The latest evaluation took place in August 2008.

The property has already welcomed more than 6000 visitors since March this year.

Newhailes is linked to the Scottish enlightenment and has an impressive collection of early 18th century decorative Rococo interiors and decorative art. The grounds are extensive and include 18th century designed landscape woodland walks, open parkland, remains of water gardens and a shell grotto and summer-house.

Property manager Karen Caldwell said:

“Newhailes is a fantastic destination for visitors from near and far and we are pleased to have that confirmed again by Visit Scotland. We are lucky to care for some of the most wonderful 18th century interiors, artworks, gardens and woodlands in Scotland and we know that visitors get a great deal out of trip here.

“The dedicated team of staff and volunteers work very hard to ensure that our visitors have the best possible experience and it is great to have that recognised.”
 

The Trust introduced charges for plastic bags in March to encourage customers to choose more environmentally friendly alternatives to carry home shopping from the Trust’s 49 retail outlets.

Since introducing the charges of five, ten and fifteen pence, the conservation charity says demand for plastic bags has decreased by over 80 per cent compared to the same period last year. In total, the Trust issued around 175,000 plastic bags in 2007.

The new approach has been successful in the last six months. As well as issuing fewer plastic bags, sales of sustainable jute and calico bags increased by more than 10 per cent.

The charity has long been aware of the issues around plastic bags – since 2003 its bags have been amongst the most environmentally friendly options available - totally non-toxic and biodegradable, breaking down within 18 months.

National Retail Manager for the Trust, Kevin McElroy said:

“As a conservation charity, we are very pleased with the results of our drive to encourage customers to ditch plastic bags and choose alternatives that are better for the environment. There has been a significant reduction in the number of Trust carrier bags being consigned to the rubbish heap, which is really good news.”
 

Conservation experts at the National Trust for Scotland have harnessed the help of a heavy horse as the charity undertakes crucial forestry management work at Meikle Wood on the Threave Estate in Dumfries and Galloway.

Billy the Belgium Ardennes is working with owner Jim Johnstone and National Trust for Scotland Ranger, Karl Munday to fell trees and remove them from the sensitive woodland area.

Meikle Wood is the site of a scheduled ancient monument - a prehistoric crop mark enclosure that is thought to be a high status farmstead of Iron Age date. That meant that the Trust had to satisfy Historic Scotland that the work would not impact on the site and obtain a permit before commencing in August.

The Trust’s Dumfries and Galloway Countryside team realised that horsepower was the most effective way of ensuring that this work could take place with minimum impact on the land.

Karl Munday, Senior Ranger for the National Trust for Scotland said:

“Regular tree-felling is an important part of good forestry management and we are undertaking this work to ensure that Meikle Wood thrives in the future. There are sensitivities around our work here though. The wood is important both as a site of a scheduled ancient monument and as a habitat for a wide range of wildlife too.

“We decided that using horses was the best approach. This traditional technique has been used in forest management for centuries. Horses can extract timber effectively and safely through the trees without causing any damage, which is ideal for our circumstances here. We were lucky to find the expertise we needed nearby and it is great to learn more about the techniques and traditions of this vibrant profession.

“As well as the archaeological issues, we also carefully considered the potential impact upon wildlife in the area. We had to apply for a license to work near a badger set and conduct bat and bird surveys prior to and during the works. We have also timed our work around minimising disturbance to the wildfowl reserve. Using Billy is helping us to keep any disruption to a minimum, as he is a lot quieter and easy to manoeuvre than heavy machinery.”
 

At a meeting today in Glasgow of the National Trust for Scotland’s Council, Shonaig Macpherson was confirmed as Chairman of the charity’s Board and Council until 2010.

She also delivered a robust account of the circumstances behind last week’s departure of its Chief Executive and briefed council on inaccurate press reports on pay issues.

Today’s meeting asked Council to consider debating, in the coming months, whether there was a need for a separate Chairman for the Council and the Board. This followed recent comment in the press that there was a need to review the Trust’s current governance structures. However, members decided overwhelmingly there was no need for such a debate and that Shonaig Macpherson will continue to chair both bodies.

The Chairman took the opportunity to remind Council today that the Trust is in the process of implementing a three year plan to ensure its long term financial sustainability, at a time when the wider macro-economic picture of recession is affecting all institutions, including a national heritage conservation charity such as the Trust.

Shonaig Macpherson said:

“We can only conserve if we have funds available to do so, through our trading activities, our investments and legacies and donations. Our sources of income are under threat as the credit crunch begins to bite. Despite all of this in our current financial year we are faring better than our competitors.”

It was within this context and the Board’s concern about the progress of a new strategic plan, that they and Chief Executive Mark Adderley concluded different leadership skills were now required and Mr Adderley stepped down.

The Chairman clarified that base pay for all staff was increased by 5% from 1 June 2008. The Union recommended the pay offer and it was approved in a ballot of all staff by a margin of more than nine to one.  

The National Trust for Scotland’s Culross Palace in Fife is set to light up the screen in the BBC’s big festive drama this year alongside well-known star of BBC One’s Spooks – Rupert Penry Jones.

The historic burgh will feature in the BBC Christmas drama ‘The 39 Steps’ that will be broadcast on Boxing Day.

Based on the classic novel by Scottish author John Buchan, the production is being filmed at Culross from Monday 22 until Thursday 25 September. The palace will be closed to visitors from Monday to Thursday as a result.

The one-off drama has Rupert Penry Jones in the lead role of Richard Hannay, who finds himself embroiled in the murder of a British spy and flees from London to Scotland to solve the mystery in an exciting tale of espionage and fast-paced adventure. Buchan’s description of Hannay’s adventures in Scotland form some of the most memorable scenes from the book.

Joanne Churchill, Senior Assistant at Culross Palace, said:

‘’The Culross team are very excited to have the BBC film one of Scotland’s best-loved novels here at the property. We warmly welcome the BBC’s choice of Culross to film on location at such an important site of Scottish heritage and to add another chapter to the story of Culross.

“It will be a very good opportunity to show viewers the authenticity and well-maintained buildings of Culross and will hopefully attract many more visitors to the site over the coming years."

The palace is closed from Monday 22 to Thursday 25 September due to the filming, however there will be free town tours on Monday 22 September and Thursday 25 September, from 12 noon until 5pm every half an hour (last tour 4.30pm), leaving from the Palace courtyard. Visitors can see the Town House and the Study and learn about the village. The garden, tearoom and shop will be open as usual.
 

One of Angus’ most unusual properties will be open to visitors on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September from 12.30pm until 5pm.

Logie Schoolhouse, near Hillside - a rare example of a mud building – has been expertly restored, renovated and turned into a lovely one bedroom home by the National Trust for Scotland.

The schoolhouse, which dates from the 19th century, is one of the most complete surviving examples of mudwall buildings in the Angus area. In the past it was used as a school and a church. It fell into disrepair and was ear-marked for demolition. However, Angus Council realised the importance of conserving this unusual building and developed a proposal to save it from demolition.

Experts from the National Trust for Scotland’s Little Houses Improvements Scheme took charge of the renovation project which is now complete. The house is now ready to receive visitors and is on the rental market too.

The house comprises a large open plan living, dining and kitchen area, one double bedroom, a bathroom, cloakroom and utility room. There is also a small garden area.

Inside, the early decorative schemes have been reinstated, with traditional limewashes in warm colours in the main building.

Siân Loftus, Little Houses Improvement Scheme Manager said:

“Buildings made from mud and clay were found across parts of the Angus and Kirriemuir area in the 19th century, but few remain. Logie Schoolhouse is a fantastic example of these unusual buildings which make great modern homes. In many ways, this is one of the most environmentally friendly homes possible, made from natural, sustainable materials. It looks really good too.”

Logie Schoolhouse is open to visitors on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September from 12.30pm until 5pm. Visitors should congregate at the House of Dunn, Montrose DD10 9LQ, where free transport shuttles will run regularly to and from Logie. Visitors are requested not to travel directly to the schoolhouse as parking is very limited.

For information on disabled parking please contact the Buildings Department on 0131 243 9449 or email lhis@nts.org.uk.
 

The conservation charity is now looking for tenants for its converted and conserved traditional mud building in Logie, Angus.

Logie Schoolhouse has been painstakingly restored as part of a project by the charity’s Little Houses Improvement Scheme and converted into a beautiful one bedroom home. The project received funding from Historic Scotland, the Scottish Government and Angus Council.

The schoolhouse, which dates from the 19th century, is one of the most complete surviving examples of mudwall buildings in Scotland. In the past it was used as a school and a church. It fell into disrepair and was ear-marked for demolition. However, after it was brought to their attention by a neighbour and the Community Council, Angus Council realised the importance of conserving this unusual building and developed a proposal to save it from demolition.

Conservation experts have now completed the painstaking process to restore the building to its former glory, both inside and out and are offering the property for rental, at a monthly cost of £350.

Buildings made from mud and clay were found across parts of the Angus and Kirriemuir area in the 19th century, but few remain.

Siân Loftus, Little Houses Improvement Scheme Manager said:

“This has been a fascinating project to be involved in. Seeing the building transform from a derelict building to a lovely home has been fantastic. The building is now ready to receive its first tenants and will become an important addition to the housing market in rural Angus.”

At Logie Schoolhouse the mudwalls are structural, though the material is concealed for the most part behind a protective lime harl finish externally and plaster and panelling internally.

Inside, the early decorative schemes have been reinstated, with traditional limewashes in warm colours in the main building and the mid-twentieth century colour scheme in the porch extension, making this a cosy, if unusual, home.

The house comprises a large open plan living, dining and kitchen area, one double bedroom, a bathroom, cloakroom and utility room. There is also a small garden area.

In line with the grant conditions of Scottish Government funding, the property is to provide affordable housing in the rural area. Prospective tenants should be employed or have a formal offer of employment in the local area (within a 10 mile radius of the Craigo) and be on low or modest income. Applications will be considered from people who are not in employment on the grounds of age or health. Such applicants will have lived in the area for more than one year or have family resident in the area.

Anyone interested in renting the property should contact:
John Hepburn-Wright
Manager, Commercial & Residential Properties
01463 732637
jhepburnwright@nts.org.uk

The property is open for viewing on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September from 12.30- 17.00. Anyone interested in attending should congregate at House of Dun, Montrose, where regular shuttle buses will provide transport to Logie.
 

Visitors to the National Trust for Scotland’s Crarae Garden near Inveraray will enjoy free access on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September.

The garden, which is well known for its eastern influences and exotic plants, is taking part in the Heritage Lottery Fund’s ‘Heritage Weekend’.

HLF awarded almost £300,000 in funding to the National Trust for Scotland conservation charity in 2003, which enabled the charity to carry out a range of conservation work which will help ensure the garden thrives for future generations.

Director of Commercial Services and Marketing, Henk Berits said:

“As a conservation charity, we depend on funding from a range of bodies to carry out our vital work to preserve some of Scotland’s most beautiful cultural and natural treasures.

“We would like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund for their support and encourage the public to take this chance to discover the beauty of Crarae Garden and its wonderful plant collection.”

Crarae Garden is open daily from 9.30am until sunset. Entry usually costs £5 per adult or £14 per family. On Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September, entry is free.  

Visitors to the National Trust for Scotland’s Hugh Miller Museum and Birthplace Cottage in Cromarty will enjoy free access on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September.

Both the museum celebrating the geologist’s work and the thatched cottage where he spent his early years are taking part in the Heritage Lottery Fund’s ‘Heritage Weekend’.

HLF awarded £140,000 in funding to the National Trust for Scotland conservation charity in 2003, which enabled the charity to extend the exhibition of Hugh Miller’s life and achievements into Miller House and restore the birthplace cottage to its former glory.

Director of Commercial Services and Marketing, Henk Berits said:

“As a conservation charity, we depend on funding from a range of bodies to carry out our vital work to preserve some of Scotland’s most beautiful cultural and natural treasures.

“We would like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund for their support and encourage the public to take this chance to discover the story of Hugh Miller and his scientific achievements.”

Hugh Miller Museum and Birthplace Cottage is open daily 1pm until 5pm. Entry usually costs £5 per adult or £14 per family. On Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September, entry is free.
 

Visitors to the National Trust for Scotland’s Newhailes in Musselburgh will enjoy free access on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September.

The grand 17th century house, which boasts an impressive library built by Sir David Dalrymple, is celebrating the Heritage Lottery Fund’s ‘Heritage Weekend’.

HLF awarded almost £8 million in funding to the National Trust for Scotland conservation charity in 1996. This enabled the charity to acquire the contents of the property and ensure that Newhailes is properly preserved and protected for future generations.

Director of Commercial Services and Marketing, Henk Berits said:

“As a conservation charity, we depend on funding from a range of bodies to carry out our vital work to preserve some of Scotland’s most beautiful cultural and natural treasures.

“We would like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund for their support and encourage the public to take this chance to discover the story of Newhailes and its place in Scottish history.”

Newhailes is open from Thursday – Monday from 12 noon until 5pm. Entry usually costs £10 per adult or £25 per family. On Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September, entry is free. Guided tours take place every 30 minutes, departing from the Visitor Centre. Booking is essential – please call 0844 493 2125.
 

Visitors to the National Trust for Scotland’s Broughton House in Kirkcudbright will enjoy free access on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September.

The 18th century townhouse, which was home to Scottish artist E.A. Hornel from 1901, is celebrating the Heritage Lottery Fund’s ‘Heritage Weekend’.

HLF awarded more than £1 million in funding to the National Trust for Scotland conservation charity in 2003. This enabled the charity to carry out a programme of important restoration and conservation work that will ensure the Grade ‘A’ listed building survives for future generations.

Director of Commercial Services and Marketing, Henk Berits said:

“As a conservation charity, we depend on funding from a range of bodies to carry out our vital work to preserve some of Scotland’s most beautiful cultural and natural treasures.

“We would like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund for their support and encourage the public to take this chance to discover the story of Broughton House and its fascinating former resident.”

Broughton House is open from Thursday – Monday from 12 noon until 5pm. Entry usually costs £8 per adult or £20 per family. On Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September, entry is free.
 

Staff at the National Trust for Scotland’s Culzean Castle and Country Park have been involved in an unusual house move recently – helping to relocate a hive of wild bees.

The swarm of wild bees set up home in a sycamore tree at Culzean early in the summer and had since established an impressive hive on the tree trunk. Around seven vertical combs could be seen, some 25 feet off the ground.

Phil McAnespie, a local beekeeping expert, explained that these types of exposed nests are very unusual. He suggested that this summer’s wet weather had probably prevented the bees from looking for their usual habitats, like hollow trees.

Since autumn is approaching, staff at Culzean decided that to give the bees the best chance of survival over the winter the hive had to be moved to a more sheltered sport.

Deirdre MacKinnon, head ranger at Culzean said:

“We decided to relocate the combs into a hive where they could be fed and managed through the winter. The move was successfully carried out by the beekeeper, who was assisted by an intrepid ranger on a cold, damp afternoon when the bees were fairly quiet.”
 

Although the National Trust for Scotland’s Culzean Castle and Country Park is used to welcoming international guests, even long serving staff at South Ayrshire’s premier tourist attraction were surprised when two recent visitors arrived from Australia - by car.

Elayne and Chris Clash, who live in Victoria in Australia, have been traveling since June 2007. Their road journey to date has included visits to South Korea, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Georgia, Turkey and Greece where they spent the winter months. From there they headed North to Norway, Iceland and then to Scotland and Culzean.

Culzean Property Manager Paul Pomfret said:

“While Culzean is clearly a great day out with something for everyone, we were somewhat surprised to hear that this intrepid couple had driven all the way from Australia for a visit.”

The couple, who are raising money for the Epilepsy & Cancer for Kids Foundation, arrived at Culzean during the recent Autoclassica event where their purpose built vehicle became one of the more unusual attractions.
 

Keen historians and amateur archaeologists will have the chance to explore the historic Bannockburn battlefield in an epic walk led by the National Trust for Scotland on Wednesday 17 September.

The event which is part of the Scottish Archaeology Month programme, will give visitors the chance to hear more about the historic events that unfolded on the site, as well as the important archaeological finds that have been discovered since the battle.

Evelyn Wilson, learning officer at the conservation charity’s Bannockburn centre, will lead a seven mile walk around three sites associated with the famous battle of 1314.

The walk is for visitors aged 12 and over and begins at the Bannockburn Centre car park at 1pm. It is expected to last approximately four hours. Visitors will walk on country paths and stout footwear and waterproof clothing is recommended. Booking is essential – please call 0844 493 2139.
 

In a statement the National Trust for Scotland Chairman Shonaig Macpherson said:

“The Board and management of the National Trust for Scotland have been implementing a three year plan to ensure the Trust’s long term financial health.

“The first phase of financial planning to put measures in place to reduce the deficit of the Trust has been completed. The Board and the senior management team have agreed that the focus now needs to be turned to implementation of other key aspects of the Trust’s strategy, which will enforce the Trust’s position as an important and relevant charity at the heart of the nation.

“Having put the foundations in place, the Board and Chief Executive have collectively identified the leadership skills now required to take the Trust forward in its next phase of development. This is therefore an appropriate time to seek new leadership for the organisation.

“Mark Adderley left the Trust on 8 September 2008. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark for his contribution to the Trust during his tenure as Chief Executive which has seen us begin the process of modernising the Trust and improving our systems and processes. We all wish him well in his future career.”

The process to appoint a replacement is already under way.
 

Staff at the National Trust for Scotland’s Castle Fraser, near Inverurie are bolstering its defences this week, as preparations for a mighty battle get underway.

The normally tranquil grounds of the castle will be transformed into the scene of a pitched battle on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September.

More than 100 dedicated re-enactors from across the UK will recreate the mayhem of the Battle of Harlaw, which took place in the Inverurie area in 1411.

Combatants will don period costumes and demonstrate the weapons and fighting techniques used in the battle between the armies led by Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles and Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar.

Property Manager Marie Buckley said:

“It will be fantastic to see Castle Fraser over-run with medieval warriors preparing to do battle for their cause. The Battle of Harlaw happened right on our doorstep and we are honoured to host such a dramatic and exciting event.

“It reminds us that Castle Fraser was, in fact, a defensive building in its time too, and was never defeated in a siege situation. In such a setting, how could the weekend’s events be anything other than historic?”

Visitors will also be able to enjoy the wares of medieval times at the craftsmen’s village.

Entry to the event costs £10 for adults and £20 for a family.
 

A weekend of strong winds took its toll at one of Angus’ most popular visitor attractions yesterday (Sunday 7 September), on one if its busiest days of the year.

The driveway at the National Trust for Scotland’s House of Dun, near Montrose was blocked on Sunday morning. A tree had been blown over by the high winds that had buffeted the Angus region over the weekend.

This was bad news for staff at the handsome Georgian house who were preparing for hundreds of visitors as the property took part in Doors Open Day in Angus, which gives visitors the chance to visit the William Adam-designed property for free.

Property Manager John McKenna said:

“On Sunday morning, the main driveway was blocked by a fair-sized tree, preventing staff and the public from getting into the grounds at House of Dun. With only a couple of hours to opening on one of our busiest days, the dedicated staff here rose to the challenge and set about removing the major obstruction.

“We also spotted another damaged tree that had to be felled urgently, to ensure the safety of visitors and staff. Thanks to the speedy reactions of the team at House of Dun, all of this happened within an hour and with minimum disruption to the day, which turned out be a great success.

“More than 200 visitors joined us at House of Dun to enjoy the fantastic Georgian interiors, artworks and gardens – although it was still a bit blustery.”  

The National Trust for Scotland’s Craigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire is the destination for an unconventional holiday this week (6 - 13 September).

A team of ten volunteers will spend seven days learning the art of dry-stane dyking at the castle, which is currently undergoing major renovations and is closed to the public.

They are taking part in a National Trust for Scotland Thistle Camp, which offers people the chance to carry out vital conservation projects in the name of relaxation.

During the camp, the holiday-making volunteers will build a new dry-stane dyke along the south drive. This will replace the existing wall which has been made unstable by tree roots. They will also help out with work in the castle’s kitchen garden.

National Volunteering Manager Violet Dalton said:

“Our conservation holidays are very popular and this year booked up in record time. Going on a break like this is perfect for people with an interest in conservation and the environment and who want to give something back.

“This dedicated group will make a huge contribution to the work underway at Craigievar Castle and their handiwork will remain in place for much longer than most people’s suntans.

“Fortunately for the National Trust for Scotland, there are hundreds of people who would rather get their hands dirty on a holiday like this, than laze around by the pool. Thistle campers make a huge contribution to our vital conservation work, for which the charity is very grateful.”

Thistle Camps are residential working holidays organised by the National Trust for Scotland to help in the conservation and management of countryside properties in its care.

They are held from March to October annually, at Trust properties all over Scotland. Costs for camps range from £50 to £200, depending on location and accommodation. For more information, visit www.nts.org.uk/ThistleCamps/.
 

One of the National Trust for Scotland conservation charity’s most popular properties is set to show off some hidden gems, as part of Scottish Archaeology Month.

Culzean Castle is well-known for its impressive architecture and stunning gardens. But it also boasts an intriguing and lesser-known attraction underground – a series of caves on the rocky seashore.

And, the conservation charity is offering visitors the chance to explore the Culzean caves on Wednesday 10 September at 1.30pm.

It is thought that the caves may have been the earliest inhabited part of the castle. It is also believed that that they were used during the smuggling trade.

Derek Alexander, archaeologist for the National Trust for Scotland said:

“Culzean has a wealth of archaeology in its grounds. The caves are just one of those hidden gems and it is great to share these fascinating stories with visitors. Their history is so long and surrounded in mystery and intrigue. Of course, archaeology has helped us to unlock some of those secrets and bring more information to light on the history of these fascinating structures.”

The walking tour is free with park entry and booking is essential. For more information and booking, contact Derek Alexander on 0141 616 5120.
 

The National Trust for Scotland’s Inverewe Garden is the setting for an unusual and thought-provoking exhibition of sculpture until 26 September 2008.

It is the first time that Inverewe Garden has hosted the exhibition for the Borders Sculptors, a group of professional and semi-professional artists living and working in the southeast of Scotland.

The eleven artists contributing to the exhibition work in diverse ways. Among the exhibits are Sam Wade’s highly engineered kinetic forms in metal and coloured perspex, Jane Gaze’s new work referencing the activities in Loch Ewe during World War 2 and ceramic works by Lesley May Miller and Su Nutgens.

Inverewe property manager Roy Dowsett said:

“The exhibition is really interesting and there is something for everyone. It is an eclectic mix of styles from ceramics to metal, includes work, which provokes thought, and work, which is pretty to look at.

“The response from visitors has been very positive. Most find it an interesting addition to the garden and are enthusiastic about it.”
 

Staff and volunteers at the National Trust for Scotland’s Thomas Carlyle’s Birthplace in Ecclefechan are preparing to welcome a delegation of world-wide experts on the writer, on Saturday 6 September.

The academics are attending the University of Glasgow’s Carlyle Conference 2008 which takes place at the university’s Dumfries Campus from Thursday 4 – Sunday 7 September.

Over four days, the experts will consider the importance and legacy of Carlyle and his contribution to the literature and culture of the 19th century and beyond. Some academics believe that Carlyle’s work does not receive the scrutiny or recognition it deserves.

The National Trust for Scotland has cared for Thomas Carlyle’s Birthplace for more than 70 years.

Property Manager Dan Watson said:

“It is very exciting to welcome some of the top Thomas Carlyle experts to Ecclefechan. We are not without our own expertise though. I am sure our volunteers can provide some fascinating insight into the early life of Carlyle too.”

Conference organiser, Dr Ralph Jessop said:

“Everyone conscious of Carlyle's greatness as a writer must remain deeply grateful to the National Trust for Scotland for maintaining his birthplace as one of the three most important sites in connection with Carlyle.

“Thomas Carlyle is unquestionably one of Scotland's most important writers of all time. As such his birthplace is a most special site akin to the birthplaces of a handful of other hugely important authors such as Shakespeare and Burns.”
 

Fitting a crocodile for false teeth is not a job for the faint-hearted, but staff at the National Trust for Scotland’s JM Barrie’s Birthplace in Kirriemuir are searching for a craftsman who is up to that very challenge.

A wooden version of the crocodile character from Peter Pan can be found in the garden at Barrie’s childhood home. Recently, though the crocodile has lost a few teeth, causing his smile to be more crooked than ever.

More 2500 people have visited the author’s birthplace in 2008 and the crocodile is popular with visitors of all ages.

Recently-appointed Property Manager, John McKenna is determined to get the garden’s well-known resident grinning again. He said:

“When I started work with the National Trust for Scotland I did not imagine that one of my first tasks would be replacing teeth on a wooden crocodile.

“The crocodile is very popular with visitors and if there are any local carpenters who are brave enough to take on this unique project and who would be willing to donate their time and expertise, please get in touch.”

Please contact John on 0844 493 2142 for more information on the project.

JM Barrie’s Birthplace is open Saturday – Wednesday from 12pm – 5pm (1pm – 5pm on Sundays).
 

The National Trust for Scotland is asking its supporters to leave more than footprints at the mountain ranges under its care - the conservation charity is looking for donations to help maintain its mountain paths.

The Trust, which looks after some of Scotland’s most popular mountain landscapes, including Torridon, Glencoe and Kintail, is launching a public appeal to raise funds for ongoing repairs to pathways in these areas.

Through its Sole Trading appeal, the charity hopes to raise £80,000 this year to fund the specialist, ongoing repair work needed to protect this fragile environment.

From Friday 29 August, donations to the appeal can be made at www.nts.org.uk/soletrading. The Trust is also mailing the appeal to 11,000 supporters across the country.

A dedicated National Trust for Scotland’s upland footpath team completed a major programme of work earlier this year to improve the path network at Ben Lawers, Ben Lomond, Mar Lodge Estate, Glencoe and Kintail and on Arran.

Together, the team care for more than 394 miles of mountain paths and spend 50 per cent of their work time at altitudes over 2500 feet.

Alasdair Eckersall, ranger at Ben Lomond, works closely with the team and provides management support. He said:

“The Trust is fortunate to care for some of Scotland’s most beautiful mountain areas, including more than 40 munros. Many of these are very popular with walkers and we need to raise extra funds, so we can continue with our repair work.

“Many thousands of visitors enjoy these landscapes every year. I hope that anyone taking advantage of the exhilarating climbs and stunning scenery will support our fundraising appeal by making a donation, so that visitors can continue to make the most of our glorious countryside now and for years to come.”

Bob Brown, contracts officer said:

“It is fantastic that we have now completed our major works across the country. The upgrades that we have made to paths in places like Torridon and Kintail have improved things for walkers, but more importantly will help protect the fragile environments that exist at these high altitudes. Such eco-systems are highly susceptible to erosion, which our work will help to minimise.”
 

An expert team of thatchers have been at work in Alloway this week, replacing the roof at Burns Cottage.

The work is in preparation for the National Trust for Scotland’s project to provide a fitting legacy for Burns.

The plans include creating a world-class Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway in 2010, carrying out a re-interpretation of the cottage where Burns was born, delivering exciting new education facilities and enhancing the Burns Monument, Brig o’Doon and Auld Kirk.

Curator David Hopes said:

“Re-thatching the cottage is just one of the early improvements to Burns Cottage we can expect to see, which includes an exciting reinterpretation, which will help enhance people’s understanding and appreciation of Burns.

“We’ll be donating some of the original thatch to Hansel Village for use in their craft activities. This is very appropriate as Burns used the word ‘hansel’ to mean ‘gift’.”
 

Keen divers and photographers focused on the fantastic marine life at St Abbs Marine Reserve last weekend, at the annual Splash In photography competition, organised by National Trust for Scotland Ranger, Liza Cole.

Some 35 entrants dealt with the challenging conditions to find some stunning images of the rich marine life at the reserve on Saturday 23 August. The swell and the recent heavy rain contributed to reduced underwater visibility.

Despite that, some stunning images were captured in all three categories - Marine Life Portrait, Reserve Atmospheric and Most Humorous Shot. The winning images were selected by an audience on Sunday 24 August.

The 2008 winners are:
• Marine Life Portrait category and overall winner - David Stephen with an image of a velvet swimming crab and a dahlia anemone.
• Reserve atmospheric category - Cathy Lewis, with a shot of a diver looking at a sunstar on a reef.
• Most Humorous Shot - Mike Clark with his image of an underwater gardener.

The lucky winners took home nearly £1,500 worth of prizes including meals for two and dive equipment. All prizes were generously donated by local, national & international businesses.

Marine Ranger, Liza Cole said:

“The Splash In not only provides a fantastic opportunity to promote the work that has been going on in the Voluntary Marine Reserve for over two decades, but also highlights the beauty of the underwater world to those who are not able to go and see it for themselves. Participants come to St Abbs from all over the country and the event is an enjoyable weekend for participants and locals alike.”

“The unique thing about the St Abbs Splash In, compared to similar competitions, is that young beginners like Robert compete alongside experienced photographers, some of whom have won national competitions. And because the winners are chosen by the audience of the Sunday night slide show rather than expert judges, images that are pleasing to the eye have as much chance of winning as those that are technically excellent.”
 

The National Trust for Scotland's Annual General Meeting takes place at Aberdeen Exhibition Centre on Saturday 27 September 2008.

The AGM is an ideal opportunity for Trust members to hear first hand about the charity’s work and developments.

Members will also have the chance to ask questions and talk to Chairman Shonaig Macpherson and others involved in the Trust’s important conservation work.

For more information, visit www.nts.org.uk/About/agm_home.php .  

The National Trust for Scotland charity has appointed leading marketing agency, DADA, to carry out a two year integrated campaign for their largest and most ambitious project to date - the new multi million pound Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, Ayrshire.

Pitching successfully against tough competition, DADA is appointed to deliver a fully integrated campaign for the museum project, which is due for completion in 2010. Costing in the region of £21 million, the ambitious new ‘Robert Burns Birthplace Museum’ project is set to become one of the UK’s most prestigious and historically rich visitor destinations. This world class attraction is the largest project the National Trust for Scotland has ever undertaken and will epitomize Scotland’s proud heritage, paying homage to the nation's most heroic son – Robert Burns.

Dee McIntosh, Director of Policy and Communications for the National Trust for Scotland said:

“DADA emerged as clear winners in a very intense pitch process and exceeded our brief, which was to create a campaign that would really push the boundaries and help the charity create a legacy which will be there for generations to come.

“We were looking for an agency which could deliver at many levels and bring a dynamic approach to the promotion of a really ambitious and important initiative not just for the Trust but for Scotland. We liked DADA's imagination and confidence and they convinced us they were up for the challenge.”

Oli Norman, Managing Director of DADA added:

“This is a fantastic achievement for DADA – nothing could be more exciting than being involved in such a prestigious project which honours one of Scotland’s cultural icons. Our campaign will deliver clever and highly creative marketing and we cannot wait to get started”.
 

Read the full report at at www.nts.org.uk/About/.  

In a year when the National Trust for Scotland has continued on a journey of change, to make the charity more relevant to Scotland today and position it at the Heart of the Nation, its annual accounts this week show an improved financial performance compared to budget but operationally the Trust still remains in deficit.

The conservation charity is chaired by Shonaig Macpherson CBE. Commenting on the Trust she said:

“We have implemented some structural changes this year and taken steps to become more efficient, as part of our plan to provide a sustainable financial future for the charity. In seeking to achieve this, we ensured the Trust remains true to our core purposes of conservation, access, education and enjoyment.

“Some progress has been made but there’s no doubt we still have a long way to go. This is a complex organisation and competition is stiff in the heritage conservation sector. We will have to continue to identify efficiencies and further improve how we engage with our membership and the Scottish people in general.”

The charity is a £38 million operation and the largest membership organisation in Scotland. It started the financial year (February 2007 - February 2008) with the aim of improving its budgeted operational position by £3 million over three years.

Commenting on the results in the 2007/08 Annual Review, the charity’s Finance Director Lesley Watt said:

“The Trust’s overall financial position remains tight but under strong control and we are in line with our three-year projections.

“Income and expenditure performance was better than expected, mainly due to increased membership income up 13% to £9.5 million and investment income up over £1 million to £6.1 million.

“However this was offset by a reduction of £1.2 million in the value of general legacies received. The Trust’s total funds fell in value in this financial year by £12 million as a result of the deteriorating situation in the stock market due to the credit crunch.

“Furthermore, the economic climate in recent weeks, together with rising fuel costs, means the Trust can expect visitor numbers to our properties to be under pressure. In addition, increasing competition for the “leisure pound” in what has become a crowded heritage and cultural sector, means that the Trust must continue to find new ways to attract visitors.”

Mark Adderley, Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland added:

“Operationally, savings have been made in some of our non-property related activity. We are reviewing and improving good business practices, such as better buying of products and services, and better use of buildings to bring in additional revenue. But we urgently need to invest more in an IT infrastructure to allow us to use data more effectively to support our properties and further improve decision-making at all levels.”

The Trust’s work is about caring for Scotland’s heritage - working in the present to ensure that the things the charity owns, manages or cares for are passed to others in the future. Conservation and access to our heritage - from the dual world heritage site of St Kilda to the early 20th century first floor Tenement House in the heart of Glasgow - remain the principal objectives. The Trust is also supporting greener transport options by promoting alternative and more sustainable transport routes to its properties, starting with the most visited ones.

A highlight of this year has been the completion of the £9.5 million Culloden Battlefield Memorial Project. Chairman Shonaig Macpherson CBE added:

“The new centre at Culloden has set the standard for others to follow. We have restored the battlefield at Culloden and the creation of the new visitor centre was opened to the public in December. The inspiring exhibition challenges the myths and romanticism that surrounded the 1745 Jacobite Rising, contributing to a better understanding of the events that had such far-reaching consequences for Scotland and beyond.

“The new visitor centre makes full use of the most advanced interpretive techniques available and we aspire to introduce that level of excellence in interpretation in our other properties, to better explain their importance, our conservation work, and to encourage more people to visit and enjoy our properties and support our work.”

The Culloden Project has helped increase Trust membership which at the end of February had risen to 306,000 and membership continues to be the largest source of net income for the Trust. Chairman Shonaig Macpherson concluded:

“It is important that the Trust continues with our programme for change, to make us as fit for purpose as possible, and to enable us to deliver our conservation work. We must continue on our journey to the heart of the nation, especially at a time when there is renewed interest in Scotland’s national identity, heritage and culture.”
 

With The Dark Knight in its fourth week as the UK’s most popular movie, the National Trust for Scotland is giving visitors the chance to learn more about bats – the creatures that inspired Bruce Wayne’s crime-fighting alter-ego.

The fascinating creatures are resident at many of the conservation charity’s properties. Throughout the next few months there are plenty of opportunities for visitors to learn more about these tiny, nocturnal animals.

Threave Garden in Dumfries and Galloway is one of the best properties to spot bats, with seven different species based there. Culzean Castle and Country Park in Ayrshire, Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire and Hill of Tarvit in Fife are also home to thriving populations.

Mr Lindsay Mackinlay, Nature Conservation Adviser is the conservation charity’s bat expert. He said:

“Bats are absolutely fascinating creatures and are badly misunderstood. People don’t need to be afraid of these highly-gifted small mammals which often set up home in our houses and trees. We need to get past old myths and see bats in a different light. How many mammals fly and use echolocation technology to catch food?

“However, unless we work together to conserve these animals, my children will be lucky if they can watch bats flitting about the skies at dusk in the future. They are one of the easiest animals to watch and it’s no coincidence that many of our most popular guided walks are those that go out looking for bats.”

There are bat-related events planned at Trust properties across Scotland for the next few months. Highlights include:

Bat Detectives, Inverewe Garden, Ross-shire – Monday 25 August, 8pm. For booking and information, call 01445 781229.

Bat Walk, David Livingstone Centre, nr Blantyre – Thursday 28 August and Thursday 18 September, 8.15pm. For booking and information, call 0844 493 2207.

Bat Weekend, Culzean Castle and Country Park, Ayrshire - Friday 29 and Saturday 30 August, 7.30pm. For booking and information, call 0844 493 2149.
 

One of the nation’s best-known and respected antique-lovers has arranged an arty donation to help the National Trust for Scotland conservation charity raise funds to benefit one of its most iconic properties.

Eric Knowles, from the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow and Moorcroft director, was instrumental in arranging the donation of the beautiful Mackintosh-inspired vase by one of Moorcroft Pottery’s leading designers, Nicola Slaney. The vase is the prize in a raffle to raise funds for The Hill House in Helensburgh - the iconic property that was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Mr Knowles is a long-time supporter of The Hill House and describes it as being, “without a doubt the jewel in the crown of The National Trust for Scotland”.

The draw for the White Ladies vase takes place in December this year, so a lucky art-lover could see in the New Year in 2009 with the contemporary collector’s piece. The vase is worth in excess of £2000 and references Mackintosh’s famous Glasgow rose and art-nouveau female figures.

Mr Knowles said:

“I was very impressed with The White Ladies design, which instantly reminded me of Mackintosh’s ‘kimono’ cabinet in which these shrouded ladies appear. Designer Nicola Slaney has created a most fitting interpretation, in my opinion.”

Karen Fenwick, from the National Trust for Scotland’s The Hill House said:

“We are very fortunate to have such a strong supporter in the form of Mr Knowles. We really welcome his generous donation which will help us to raise extra income, so we can continue to ensure The Hill House and its valuable collections receive the top-quality care they deserve.”

Mr Knowles will visit The Hill House on 2 September to open “Moorcroft’s New Dawn: 111 years of Design Evolution”. This invitation only evening is the start of an exciting exhibition by the Moorcroft Collectors’ Club, which is open to the public from 3 September until 31 October and will cover pieces from 1897 to the present day.

The White Ladies Vase will be on show at The Hill House until 31st October. Raffle tickets cost £1 each and are exclusively available through The Hill House. Please visit or phone on 0844 493 2208.
 

Visitors tackling the main route to the top of Ben Lomond will have an extra spring in their step thanks to recent refurbishment work on the path.

A mixture of work has brought a new lease of life to this popular route. Improvements to the path surface have made the going a little easier, landscaping has helped make the area more attractive and harvesting work has opened up some spectacular views across Loch Lomond.

The work has been carried out by Forestry Commission Scotland, which is responsible for the lower forest section of path, in partnership with the National Trust for Scotland.

The full release is available online at: www.forestry.gov.uk/newsrele.nsf/WebPRByCountryLang/8A2ECC18989D098E802574A2004D48AE  

Innovative technology used at the National Trust for Scotland’s hugely-successful Culloden Centre near Inverness is in the running for another prestigious award.

The centre's ground-breaking hand-held battlefield guides have been nominated for a Scottish Thistle Award for Innovation. The Scottish Thistle Awards take place in Edinburgh on 3 October 2008.

Developed by Inverness-based Zolk-C, the devices provide character accounts, archaeological evidence, and real-life sound effects which are triggered automatically as visitors walk across the historic moor. They help to create an interactive experience, which does not detract from the authenticity of the site.

The device already took the top spot in the ‘Use of Technology’ category at the prestigious Museums and Heritage Awards for Excellence in May this year.

This nomination is the latest recognition of the innovation and fantastic visitor experience offered by the £9.5 million project to revamp the battlefield and visitor centre. The new centre opened to the public in December 2007 and has established itself as a must-see destination in the Highlands.

Culloden General Manager, Deirdre Smyth said:

“The battlefield guide is a prime example of the innovative and exciting approach the Trust took to its Culloden project. This technology really adds to the visitors’ experience and it’s fantastic to see that innovation being recognised with another award nomination.”

 

Bill Oddie added his weight to a £1.5m appeal to help fund a new seabird observatory on Fair Isle, the remote Scottish island owned by the National Trust for Scotland charity.

The Bird Observatory on Fair Isle is known to ornithologists around the world - famous for its rare bird migrants and spectacular seabirds - and the appeal is being launched by the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust.

For 60 years the observatory has attracted visitors to the UK’s most remote inhabited island and has become the lynchpin of the island’s economy. Now it has to be replaced with a new Observatory to open in 2010.

The new building will be a modern, eco-friendly place for people to stay and will cost £4 million, over a quarter of which has already been pledged by Shetland Islands Council. Other public funds are being sought - but the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust needs to raise £1.5 million through individual donations.

The latest seabird research from the Observatory confirms that many birds are suffering another disastrous breeding season. Scientists are trying to assess the impact and growing threat from climate change. So, there’s never been a more important time to support the role of the Observatory as it continues its seabird studies, as well as the other long term work on migration and on the island’s resident birds.

Bill Oddie, a regular visitor to the Observatory, is giving his public backing to the Appeal at the Rutland Bird Fair this weekend, August 16th/17th. Bill said: “Fair Isle is one of my favourite birding locations. I first went as a schoolboy, a visit to my ornithological mecca – I’ve been back many times and seen some cracking rare birds. I encourage everyone to donate generously and help build the new Observatory – and I hope to be one of its first birding visitors”

Roy Dennis, chairman of the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust, said: "This is a very great challenge for us. 60 years of birding tourism, migration studies and seabird research under our belt and now we plan for an important and exciting future. Please donate what you can and help us achieve our goal to open our brand new Fair Isle Bird Observatory in 2010”

Mark Adderley, Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland charity, who own Fair Isle, visited last month and was thrilled by what he saw. He also adds Trust weight to the FIBO Trust appeal.

"I visited Fair Isle in July as a volunteer on one of our Thistle Camps and listened to the islanders’ thoughts for the island going forward. We have supported many initiatives to boost the Fair Isle economy over the years and we commend the Fair Isle Bird Observatory directors in their ambitious and committed goal to build a new observatory and lodge on the island.”

Fiona Mitchell of the island’s shop, the Stackhoull Store, says it's vital to have a new building: "It gives us confidence for the future of the Isle. The visitors to the Observatory are not only vital to our economy, but also to keeping our transport links. Whether they buy a postcard in the shop or a piece of Fair Isle knitwear - it all helps."

The thousands of visitors who travel to Fair Isle mainly go for the birdlife and the chance to see a rare migrant. All leave with lasting memories of island life. The welcome, the work of the Observatory and the way of life are closely linked. The Bird Observatory Trust is determined not to lose them.

The Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust is an independent charity, which is totally self-funded and reliant on revenue from visitors. It is appealing for donations to the FIBOT New Building Fund, www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk.

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Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP, visited the charity’s Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre on 4 August to experience first hand the award winning new centre and to promote the Homecoming 2009 event.

The First Minister was impressed with what he described as a “first class” Centre that will play a key part in Homecoming Scotland 2009. He said, “The 1746 Battle of Culloden is a hugely significant part of Scots history. The Culloden Visitor Centre has recreated that experience through its battlefield and interactive exhibition featuring Jacobite characters from the 18th century. It is a first class tourist attraction and an innovative record of a vital part of Scotland’s history.”

Homecoming Scotland 2009 is the Scottish Government’s initiative to encourage Scots and friends and family from around the world to come and celebrate Scotland’s history, heritage and culture, during a year which marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. Mr Salmond was hopeful that Homecoming 2009 would be a boost for Scottish tourism, remarking that there is already a surge of bookings in flights to Scotland for the events next year.

The Culloden Battlefield, one of four Scottish battlefield sites owned by the National Trust for Scotland charity, will be an important destination for people to visit during the Homecoming year, as part of hundreds of events planned around the country, over 50 locations.

Seven year old Philip Nicol, one of the two young descendents from soldiers who fought on either side of the battle in 1746, who officially opened the centre on 16 April this year, happened to be visiting Culloden on 4 August with his parents, so young Philip helped show Mr Salmond around the property.

Dee McIntosh, Director of Policy & Communications for the Trust, was also on site to greet the First Minister. She commented, “As a conservation charity with a key role in preserving and celebrating Scotland’s culture, the National Trust for Scotland plans to play a full part in Homecoming 2009. We are fortunate to have many properties all over Scotland with important links to the Homecoming themes, so there will be a lot going on at our properties, including Culloden’s fantastic ‘Battle to Exile’ event.

“Homecoming 2009 is a great opportunity to raise awareness of Scotland’s natural and cultural treasures and we look forward to working closely with the Scottish Government, to play our part in ensuring it is a success.”

Homecoming 2009 begins on Burns Night, 25 January, with a finale on St Andrews Day on 30 November. To find out more about Homecoming 2009 visit www.homecomingscotland2009.com
 

One of the National Trust for Scotland’s most unusual properties will take centre stage at a new exhibition to celebrate 500 years of the printed word in Scotland, starting tomorrow (Friday 1 August).

The conservation charity cares for Robert Smail’s Printing Works in Innerleithen - Scotland’s only remaining fully-functioning Victorian letterpress printworks which is the focus of Lasting Impressions: The National Trust for Scotland and the Printed Word.

The printworks is one of the Trust’s smallest properties and was purchased by the charity from Cowan Smail in 1986, after 120 years of trading. The works continues to produce commissioned print work on the original presses, as well as hosting tours and giving visitors the chance to get hands on experience of the printing process.

The exhibition is part of the 500 years of printing in Scotland celebrations and runs at the National Trust for Scotland’s gallery at 28 Charlotte Square in Edinburgh from 1 August until the end of October.

It includes fascinating records, photographs and work samples from Smail’s past, telling the story of the Smail family and their business.

Experts from Innerleithen will also be on hand to provide printing demonstrations during August and September, so there is plenty of opportunity for visitors to mind their ‘p’s and ‘q’s.

Smail’s Property Manager Gen Harrison said:

“We are very lucky at the Trust to have an industrial treasure like Smail’s. There are very few surviving examples of a general jobbing printers, and as far as we know, none open in their original location, as is the case at Innerleithen. Smail’s is a great example of the diversity of the Trust - so often people think the Trust is just about castles, but we have so much more to offer.

“The history and technology of Smail’s is absolutely fascinating and our staff and volunteers are really looking forward to bringing the story of print to a wider audience, getting involved in marking Scotland’s 500 years of printing. For such a small property, we are proud to be playing such a big part in this important anniversary and still to be setting type the original Chepman and Myllar way.”

A printing office will take over one of the rooms at 28 Charlotte Square - a small Adana printing press will be installed so that visitors can try typesetting by hand and produce a personalised bookplate.

A handful of treasures from the Trust’s book collections will also be on show at the exhibition. A first edition of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan will take pride of place. The Trust owns and cares for the house in Kirriemuir, Angus where the author was born and is thought to have gained much of the inspiration for his classic children’s tale.

The free exhibition will run from 1 August until 31 October at 28 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh. The gallery is open Monday to Saturday, from 11am – 4pm.

A short film inspired by Smail’s and printing in Scotland will also be on show. Created by Kenny Munro and Edward O’Donnelly, Words fly from this place reflects on changes in technology, and on the huge impact of printing, communication and learning.

Experts in printing, books and libraries will also host a series of lectures throughout the exhibition.

Wednesday, 20 August at 12.30pm - Making a Good Impression - Gen Harrison, Property Manager/Compositor, Robert Smail’s Printing Works.

Wednesday, 10 September at 12.30pm - Meet the Archivists - Ian Riches, Archivist, the National Trust for Scotland and David Rudram, Honorary Archivist, Robert Smail’s Printing Works.

Wednesday 24 September at 12.30pm - Caring for Print Collections - Helen Creasy ACR (paper conservator).

Wednesday, 8 October at 12.30pm - The Architecture of the Trust’s Libraries - Ian Gow, Chief Curator, the National Trust for Scotland.

Wednesday, 15 October at 12.30pm - Revealing Hidden Treasure: the work of a Volunteer Librarian – Tom Hall, Volunteer Librarian, Haddo House.

Wednesday, 22 October at 12.30pm - A Printer’s Journey – Tim Honnor, Piccolo Press.

More information on the exhibition and its programme of demonstrations and talks are available at www.nts.org.uk.

 

The National Trust for Scotland’s hugely-successful Culloden Centre is in the running for a prestigious architecture award.

It is one of four buildings in Scotland that have been shortlisted for the inaugural World Architecture Festival Awards (2008).

Culloden General Manager, Deirdre Smyth said:

“We are so pleased to be recognised with another award nomination. Culloden is really a must-see destination and is proving very popular with visitors from near and far.”

Gareth Hoskins from Gareth Hoskins Architects, who designed the £9.5 million visitor centre, said:

“It is wonderful to see the ambition to create a ‘world class’ visitor centre on the site now also being recognised at an international level through the World Architecture Awards.”

For more information on the World Architecture Festival Awards, visit www.worldarchitecturefestival.com/.
 

Youngsters will get a great introduction to the world of working as a ranger with the National Trust for Scotland next week.

Wildlife experts at the conservation charity on Arran are running a three-day Junior Ranger training event for children aged between seven and eleven years old. The course is designed to encourage young people to get hands-on with nature and give them an insight into the skills it takes to be a ranger.

The events take place at the National Trust for Scotland’s Brodick Castle and Country Park from Tuesday 5 August until Thursday 7 August.

Youngsters will learn more about animal tracking techniques and nature identification skills. Children attending the course will receive a Junior Ranger badge and certificate.

National Trust for Scotland ranger, Stephen Mason said:

“We think it’s really important for young people to learn about nature and our junior ranger days will give children the chance to get outdoors, exploring and picking up new skills at one of Scotland’s most beautiful locations.

“Young people are so enthusiastic about Scotland’s beautiful wildlife, so it’s great fun to be involved in these events and to pass on skills to whole new generation of potential rangers and naturalists.”

Booking is essential. To book, call 01770 302462.
 

The National Trust for Scotland charity has pledged to work with Historic Scotland to ensure that the Trust’s Bannockburn battlefield and other important battle sites across Scotland are better protected.

The Trust owns major Scottish battlefields at Bannockburn, Culloden and Glen Shiel, and has interests in other sites like Killicrankie, Auldearn and Fyvie.

Experts at the charity are supportive of Historic Scotland’s draft Scottish Historic Environment Policy (SHEP) on Historic Battlefields. The SHEP sets out proposals for recognising Scotland’s important battlefields and how they can be acknowledged and better protected through the planning process.

Under the plans, Historic Scotland - the government agency with responsibility for safeguarding the historic environment - will draw up an Inventory of Historic Battlefields. Being listed on the inventory would reduce the likelihood of inappropriate development at battle sites. To qualify, a battlefield must be able to be located accurately and be considered nationally significant because of its historical importance, archaeological potential or the value of its undamaged landscape.

Responding today (Friday 25 July) to a consultation on the SHEP, the National Trust for Scotland said that as the draft policy stands it is concerned that Bannockburn may not qualify for inclusion on the inventory, because its landscape has been compromised by development. Over the years, large areas at Bannockburn have been given over to housing.

Head of Archaeology at the National Trust for Scotland, Robin Turner said:

“As the owner of some of Scotland’s most important battlefield sites, we welcome these moves which will help protect key historic sites for the future. However, we would like to see the criteria adjusted to better reflect the full range of factors that combine to make a battlefield of national significance – including recognising the importance of what the public value, regardless of the state of preservation.

“We would argue that at sites – like Bannockburn - where parts of the battlefield have already been lost, there can be an even greater need to protect what survives. We will continue to talk to our partners at Historic Scotland to make our concerns known and ensure that we work together to protect Bannockburn and other battlefields for the future.”

The conservation charity also highlighted the need to consider a range of factors that make a battlefield important beyond the number of combatants on each side. Experts said that archaeological potential, military, political or cultural significance could contribute to making a site nationally important.

The Trust also made the point that having a non-statutory inventory may not produce the desired results, suggesting a fully statutory inventory may provide better protection. In England, where the Battlefields Register is non-statutory, there is evidence that major sites continue to be eroded. English Heritage’s Battlefields at Risk Register shows that 43 nationally important sites are at risk – in many cases through disturbances by metal detectorists, whose activities would also not be regulated under the Scottish proposals.

The Trust’s full consultation response to the consultation is available at www.nts.org.uk/Policy/Work/

 

The National Trust for Scotland charity’s Fife properties are gearing up for one of their most fun-packed weekends on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August.

The mansion house at Hill of Tarvit near Cupar hosts a drama troop on Saturday 2 August. Kellie Castle at Pittenweem is also playing its part in the Pittenweem Arts Festival which gets underway on the 2 August.

On Sunday, there are great family activities on offer at Culross, where a burgh fair will be in full swing – complete with a re-enactment of the signing of the historic declaration of Arbroath and at Falkland Palace, the falcons will be in full flight.

Edinburgh and East Buildings and Gardens Group Manager, David McAllister said:

“There are lots of opportunities to get involved in the fantastic family activities at our properties all across Fife. The beauty of the Trust is that we have lots of different activities and types of properties on people’s doorsteps. Why not get out and explore the local area this August and discover some of Fife’s treasures with the Trust.”

Much ado about nothing at Hill of Tarvit – Saturday 2 August at 7.15pm. Tickets cost £12.50 for adults and £7 for children.

Pittenweem Arts Festival – for more information visit - www.pittenweemartsfestival.co.uk/index.html

Falconry at Falkland – Sunday 3 August from 1.30 – 4.30pm. Normal admission prices apply.

Culross Burgh Fair - Sunday 3 August from noon. Free.
 

Conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland has met with the owners of the Spinningdale, the ship which remains stranded on St Kilda, to discuss plans for its removal.

The vessel was grounded on St Kilda, which is owned and managed by the Trust, during violent winter storms on 1February 2008.

In April, an expert maritime salvage crew removed potentially harmful liquids, including diesel and oil, and equipment from the ship, before the seabird breeding season began to help protect the important wildlife.

Now the Trust has met with owners of the vessel to discuss future plans for the possible removal of the ship.

It has been agreed to commission a feasibility study to examine the complex safety and environmental factors surrounding the removal of any remaining equipment and the vessel. This will be paid for by the ship’s insurers.

The ship will remain in situ until the full details of the study are available for careful consideration by all parties.

Property Manager Susan Bain said:

“We are very clear that we want to see the Spinningdale removed from dual World Heritage Site, St Kilda. However, this is a complex operation and must be carefully considered and managed.

“As well as the issues regarding access to St Kilda and its remoteness, there are also logistical issues which make salvage a real challenge. The water around the Spinningdale is very shallow and it would be difficult for a salvage vessel to get close enough to carry work out safely. We also need to ensure that removing the wreck would not permanently damage the delicate reefs under the ship.

“That is why we have agreed to commission this study which will clearly set out all the issues and their impact upon this pristine environment. This means that the ship will stay where it is over the winter months and when the good weather returns next spring, we will have a clear way forward which will ensure that any work is carried out safely and in a ways which best protects St Kilda’s environment and wildlife.”
 

Brodie Castle, the National Trust for Scotland’s impressive 16th century tower house in Forres, is enjoying a good summer season this year.

Visitor numbers are up by more than 23%, compared to last year. So far in 2008, almost 7500 visitors have spent time exploring the fine art and antiques, peaceful parklands and glorious gardens. That compares with just over 6000 for the same period last year.

Property Manager, Charlie Finlayson said:

“Brodie is a great place to visit, so it’s easy to understand why we are proving so popular. Whether you are an art enthusiast, a history buff or a green-fingered visitor, there is plenty to see here, especially when the weather is not as fine as it might be in July! We also have a fantastic team of staff at Brodie who make it a great place to visit. We hope that the weather improves and we look forward to welcoming many more visitors in the next few months.”
 

Inveresk Lodge Garden, the National Trust for Scotland’s beautiful hillside garden in Musselburgh, is enjoying a good summer season this year.

Visitor numbers are up by more than 160%, compared to last year. So far in 2008, almost 900 visitors have spent time in the tranquil surroundings, enjoying the formal gardens, woodland walks and Edwardian aviary. That compares with 328 for the same period last year.

Property Manager, Louise Arnot said:

“It is great to hear that we are attracting so many visitors. There is certainly plenty to see in the garden right now. As well as our lovely collection of plants, you can have a relaxed woodland ramble or take time out by the pond. There are some moorhen chicks swimming around right now, as well as lots of frogs and toads to spot.”
 

The National Trust for Scotland’s recently-refurbished Culloden Visitor Centre near Inverness is proving to be a popular Highland tourist destination this year.

Already in 2008, more than 57,000 visitors have stopped in at the revamped centre and battlefield site. That is 18,000 more than for the same period in 2007.

The centre was officially opened in April 2008 and uses the latest technology to tell the story of the Battle of Culloden, giving visitors a fresh insight into the battle’s history.

Deirdre Smyth, General Manager said:

“We want to tell Culloden’s story to as many people as we can, so it’s great news that we are already reaching a wider audience than we did last year.

“The new centre is proving to be very popular and visitor feedback about it and our fantastic, interactive exhibition is very positive. I hope that we can continue to build on our success so far this year and bring the battle to life for many more visitors.”
 

Gladstone’s Land, the National Trust for Scotland’s old-town treasure, is having a bumper summer season this year. So far, more than 13,000 visitors have flocked to the traditional Old Town property.

That is 3000 more than for the same period in 2007, and is despite concerns that the credit crunch is cutting leisure spending across the capital.

The Royal Mile historic house gives visitors a real insight into 17th century life in Old Town Edinburgh and has a fantastic collection of authentic period furniture and art.

The conservation charity’s other prestigious Edinburgh property, the Georgian House in Charlotte Square, is also beating last year’s figures. More than 14,000 visitors have popped in to the house that is next door to the First Minister’s residence, Bute House, to view the grand rooms. That is 1000 more than at the same point in 2007.

Gladstone’s Land Property Manager, Fiona Murray said:

“We are really please to have got off to such a strong start this season. Both Gladstone’s Land and the Georgian House give visitors a fantastic experience and a real insight into life during key stages of Edinburgh’s development into the wonderful city we see today.”

Georgian House Property Manager Sheonagh Martin, added:

“It is a pleasure to play our part in preserving and protecting these buildings for future generations and bringing their history to life for our thousands of visitors. We look forward to welcoming many more over the coming months.”
 

Experts and volunteers from conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland will check whether any bats have made their home at Hill of Tarvit in Fife on 22 and 23 July.

The early 20th century mansion-house and its beautiful grounds are cared for by the Trust and is one of seventeen Trust properties taking part in bat surveys this summer.

Hill of Tarvit has plenty of bat activity to monitor, with at least 3 known roosts.

The charity is keen to establish exactly where the bats live and which species are present, as part of its ongoing work to protect and conserve the legally-protected mammals and their roosts. The project is part-funded by Scottish Natural Heritage.

Mr Lindsay Mackinlay, Nature Conservation Adviser said:

“Bats can be tricky to find because they are so small. They can squeeze into incredibly tight gaps and live in inaccessible parts of buildings and trees. We know there are roosts around Hill of Tarvit and we need to see whether any new roosts have been established. It’s important to do these checks so that we can make sure these creatures and their habitats are not disturbed.”
 

New National Trust for Scotland gardener, Tim Keyworth (20), is the latest home-grown horticulturalist to join the conservation charity’s expert gardens team.

Tim, who is from Leicester, took up a permanent, full-time gardening post at the Trust’s Leith Hall in Huntly, Aberdeenshire this week. He has just completed a National Trust for Scotland’s Craftsman Gardener Award at Threave Garden in Dumfries and Galloway.

The Threave-based course is now recruiting six students for its September 2008 intake, so other newly-qualified gardeners can take advantage of the top-quality training that has benefited Tim and many other gardeners.

The year long course is ideal for students with National Diplomas, Higher National Diplomas who want to gain practical gardens experience, or for recent university graduates who are looking for work experience and a structured programme of learning.

It lasts for one year and provides a comprehensive training programme for gardeners, using Threave’s stunning 63 acres as a classroom. Topics covered include:

· Soils composts and manures.

· Glasshouse cultivation.

· Propagation.

· Garden design.

· Lawn establishment and care.

The course is highly-respected in the horticultural world and many gardeners are keen to study under the expert staff at Threave. In fact, Tim was so determined that Threave was the perfect place for him he waited a year for his place. He said:

“I studied for my National Diploma at Brooksby College in Leicester and I always had my eye on Threave, but I missed the 2006 intake. So, I volunteered for a year to gain more experience until the next opportunity at Threave came along.”

The training course is a great start for young gardeners, helping many into full-time employment, just like Tim, who secured the Leith Hall post as his year-long apprenticeship was concluding.

Head of Gardens and Designed Landscapes for the National Trust for Scotland, Mr Jan Haenraets said:

“These courses are great opportunities for green-fingered students and graduates. The Trust has been training gardeners at Threave for almost 50 years and we are committed to providing a quality learning experience.

“Threave Garden is one of Scotland’s most impressive landscaped environments and includes formal gardens, as well as woodland areas, which means there is always something new to learn about. Trainees also benefit from the experience and coaching of some of the Trust’s most expert gardeners.

“Working towards the Craftsman Gardener Award is a great step in any gardener’s career. In fact, many Trust gardeners are graduates of the programme and are already involved in passing their skills on to the next generation.”

Students undertaking the Craftsman Gardener Award are supported by a National Trust for Scotland bursary during their training and accommodation is also provided.

For more information or to make an application, contact Veronica Barrington on 0131 243 9440, or email vbarrington@nts.org.uk. The closing date for applications is 1 August 2008 and interviews will be held shortly thereafter.

 

There is no excuse for staying indoors in Lochaber this summer. The National Trust for Scotland’s Glencoe Visitor Centre has dozens of events to get visitors out into the spectacular scenery, to enjoy the rich wildlife and haunting history of the area.

Visitors of all ages will find something to entertain them at Glencoe this summer, from the chance to explore the great Glen in a land rover safari, to an introduction to the beautiful butterflies that live locally.

Property Manager Douglas Mainland said:

“We are lucky at Glencoe to have an incredibly rich environment to explore. As a conservation charity, we are determined to share our enthusiasm for the outdoors and this stunning setting with our visitors.

“We want visitors to fall in love with the drama and beauty of Glencoe, which is amongst the most beautiful landscapes in Scotland, and one with a fascinating and tragic past too. Our events are intended to bring some of this to life for visitors so they can leave with a better understanding of this stunning setting, its environment and its history.“

Events take place almost every day at Glencoe Visitors Centre throughout the summer. Visit www.nts.org.uk/events for a full listing.

Highlights include:

· Landrover safaris – explore the glen in a rugged all terrain vehicle. Learn more about the landscape, geology and history of Glencoe. Tours take place almost every day throughout July and August and cost £15 per person.

· Orientreeing – Friday 25 July 2008 – kids can navigate our tree trail and learn how to spot different species in the process. £3 for children.

· Nature detectives – Monday 28 July – wildlife walk and scavenger hunt for youngsters (£3).

· Pond dipping – Tuesday 29 July – what lives in the pond? Kids can find out in this fun event (£3).

· Flutterby Butterfly – Thursday 31 July – children’s butterfly trail (£3).
 

Brand new property manager Paul Pomfret is beginning his first summer at the helm of one of the National Trust for Scotland’s biggest and most popular properties by unveiling a packed programme of events for summer.

Paul (41) who took up his new role at the conservation charity’s Culzean Castle and Country park in June, is originally from coastal village of Seaham in the North East of England.

He knows the Ayrshire area well though, as he was the manager at the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr from 2003 until the end of 2006.

Property Manager Paul Pomfret said:

“I am delighted to be part of the National Trust for Scotland and to join the dedicated team of people responsible for the care of Culzean and its many visitors.”

Culzean is one of the Trust’s most popular and well-loved properties and has already welcomed close to 100,000 visitors this year. With an ambitious summer programme of events on offer, Paul hopes his first season will be bigger and better than ever.

He said:

“Starting from my first visit, it was clear that Culzean is a very special place, and with so many events planned in the coming months it is going to be a busy summer which I am sure will be enjoyed by everyone who visits the park.

“There’s no need to struggle to keep the kids entertained this summer in Ayrshire. Just pop into to see us at Culzean, where there are fun family activities on offer almost every day.

“There truly is something for everyone. We have a huge range of activities on offer – everything from getting hands-on with creepy crawlies, to theatre and classic cars. And, by joining the National Trust for Scotland your entry to the park and castle is free. It only costs £5 a month for a family membership, so sign up the next time you visit Culzean. I look forward to seeing you soon.”

Highlights of events at Culzean this month include:

A Midsummer Nights Dream
Thursday 17 July 2008 – 7.30pm

Chapterhouse Theatre company presents an open air production (weather permitting) of one of Shakespeare's best loved plays, 'A Midsummer Nights Dream', in the Carriage Circle in front of Culzean Castle. Bring along a picnic and something comfortable to sit on. Adult £12.00 Child / Concession £6.00 Family (2 adults and 2 concessions) £35.00 Tickets available in advance - 0844 493 2149

The Half Day Hike
Thursday 17 July 2008 – 11.30 – 3.30

Join the Rangers for a 'Half Day Hike' - a longer walk reaching the places that others don't. Remember to bring a packed lunch! Meet at the Visitor Centre. Adult £2.00 Child Free (accompanied).

Pirates Day
Sunday 20 July 2008, from 12 noon.

Dare you meet Scotland's two most wicked pirates, Captain Israel Flint and his incompetent mate Cutthroat Hugo and their vicious shipmates? Main shows at 12.00pm, 2.00pm and 3.30pm. Why not come along in costume? There will be a 'best dressed pirate' competition and a treasure trail. Normal Country Park admission charges apply.

Culzean's Gardens
Tuesday 22 July 2008 – 2pm

Join our knowledgeable Gardens Staff who will conduct a tour for garden enthusiasts. Meet at the Walled Garden Car Park. Adult £2.00/ Child Free (accompanied).

Talking Trees
Thursday 24 July 2008 – 2pm

John our Head Forester for an informative and entertaining walk through Culzean’s woodlands. Meet at the Walled Garden Car Park. Adult £2.00 Child Free (accompanied).

Scottish Country Dancing

Sunday 27 July 2008 – 2.30pm Come along and join the fun as we host Scottish Country Dancing in the Walled Garden. Everyone is welcome to join in, so bring along your dancing shoes. Normal Country Park admission charges apply.

Pond Dipping
Tuesday 29 July 2008 – 2pm

Join the Rangers to learn more about the wildlife living in Culzean's ponds. Meet at the Visitor Centre - and wear your wellies! Normal Country Park admission charges apply.

The Night Hunters
Wednesday 30 July 2008 – 10.30pm

Nocturnal Sights And Sounds - ... More> join the Rangers for a nocturnal walk through the Country Park. Places will be limited - bookings will be accepted from 9.00am on the day only by calling 01655 884400. Meet at the Visitor Centre. Adult £2.00, children free (accompanied).

 

The UK’s first ever edible boat race gets underway at Eyemouth beach on Wednesday 23 July.

The competition is the brainchild of the Eyemouth Herring Queen (EHQ) Committee and the St Abb’s & Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve (VMR).

The competition is open to all ages, and entrants are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild, using all their ingenuity to design and build their own boat. The vessels can be any size, but must be made entirely out of edible materials, including whatever holds the craft together. The vessels will be judged on their design and inventiveness, as well as the crucial test of seaworthiness. The winning boat is the one that stays afloat longest.

Liza Cole, National Trust for Scotland Ranger for the Marine Reserve, explains how this rather off-the-wall event has come into being.

“Earlier this year the Herring Queen Committee approached me asking for advice on an idea they had had for an event for the festival - a paper boat release. Being proud of the high quality of the local marine environment, with the inshore waters being designated Scotland’s first Marine Reserve in 1984, they thought they would check to see what I thought of the event taking place in the Reserve.”

“I was really pleased that the Committee had thought laterally rather than just going for a balloon release, as these result in burst balloons littering our beaches and choking marine wildlife. However, I had reservations as paper only biodegrades in seawater very slowly, and I had visions of incoming tides of paper mache! So, it was my turn to think laterally, and that’s when I came up with the idea of an edible boat race.”

“I have put the word out with all my contacts around the country and as far as I am aware there has never been a boat race of this kind before. So we will be making history as well as having a bit of ecologically-friendly fun!”

Contact Liza for more information – 01890 771443, e-mail lcole@nts.org.uk.
 

Experts and volunteers from conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland will check whether any bats have made their home at Falkland Palace in Fife on 14 and 15 July.

The Palace, which is well-known as one of Mary Queen of Scots favourite places, is cared for by the Trust and is one of seventeen Trust properties taking part in bat surveys this summer.

While there is no known roost at Falkland, a lot of bat activity has already been spotted. Trust experts will check the site for signs of any additional small, nocturnal mammals during the visit.

The charity is keen to establish exactly where the bats live and which species are present, as part of its ongoing work to protect and conserve the legally-protected mammals and their roosts. The project is part-funded by Scottish Natural Heritage.

Mr Lindsay Mackinlay, Nature Conservation Adviser said:

“Bats can be tricky to find because they are so small. They can squeeze into incredibly tight gaps and live in inaccessible parts of buildings and trees. We don’t think there is a roost at Falkland, but we know there are lots of bats around the property. We need to check that there haven’t been any changes and look out for any new roosts. It’s important to do these checks so that we can make sure these creatures and their habitats are not disturbed.”

 

It will be even easier for visitors to stroll around the grounds in the stunning Crarae Garden by Inveraray soon, as a project to upgrade paths and walkways is completed.

Work on two replacement bridges is scheduled to conclude later this month. The steel and timber bridges are the latest step in a £500,000 restoration project at the garden funded by the National Trust for Scotland, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Argyll and Islands Enterprise.

Work began six years ago, when the National Trust for Scotland took over the garden. Since then pathways have been laid, steps have been built and handrails have been installed so that visitors can focus on the fantastic flora, rather than their feet. The funding package has also paid for important archaeological work, a topographic survey of the grounds and plant collection recording.

Head Gardener Nigel Price said:

“It’s great to see the bridges so close to completion. The work on the pathways and building of the steps has really made it easier for visitors to enjoy out truly glorious garden. The pathways guide visitors past our fabulous plants and the bridges are great viewpoints and an opportunity to enjoy the water cascading down the hillside. It is a very special place.”

Famous for its National Collection of Southern Beech, as well as acers, sorbus and eucalyptus, the garden is at its greenest at this time of year.

Nigel continues:

“The garden is constantly changing and right now is looking at its most lush. It’s a fantastic time to visit as the colours are intensely green and the foliage gives the garden such texture. It’s easy to understand why this is such a popular spot for artists.”

Entry to Crarae Garden costs £5 for an adult and £14 for a family. Entry is free for members of the National Trust for Scotland.

 

Celebrating Ayrshire at the National Trust for Scotland’s Culzean Castle and Country Park was a big success last Sunday.

More than 1200 visitors packed into the park to sample the best of Ayrshire’s food, crafts and entertainment, all set in the stunning grounds at one of Ayrshire best-known and loved visitor attractions, Culzean Castle.

Despite the showers, visitors really got in to the spirit of the celebrations, enjoying music from the Tonality String Quartet and Maybole Pipe Band, having their faces painted, sampling the fantastic locally-produced food that was on offer and admiring the handsome Ayrshire cows that had come along especially for the event.

Event organiser and Culzean ranger Kate Walker said:

“Ayrshire has plenty to shout about, so we were delighted to host an event that would really celebrate our local area, its people and its produce. It was fantastic to see so many families having such a great time, enjoying the entertainment and exploring Culzean. I don’t think the showers dampened the enthusiasm on the day.”
 

Staff at the National Trust for Scotland’s Culross Palace celebrated an addition to the grounds at the Palace last week, with the official opening of the Mary Luke garden.

The beautiful terraced garden provides stunning views to the Firth of Forth and is named in memory of the woman who inherited Culross Palace at the end of the 19th Century.

The garden was created by a committed team of Trust experts and volunteers, many of whom tries their hands at new trades to help obtain the fantastic results that are now on show to visitors venturing to Culross. Gardeners turned carpenters, building the ornate fences and wooden features of the garden, while surveyors tried their hand at stonemasonry, engraving emblems into stone.

Horticultural highlights include a fragrant selection of period roses, low growing aromatic and flowering herbs like creeping thyme, pennyroyal and chamomile. Beautiful blooms come in the form of the double flowering buttercup and cowslips.

Culross head gardener Mark Jeffery would like to thank everyone involved with the project.

The garden is open daily from 10am until 6pm.
 

The decision to award the Antonine Wall World Heritage Status was welcomed today by conservation experts at the National Trust for Scotland.

The conservation charity cares for hundreds of historic sites, buildings and monuments across Scotland, including dual World Heritage Site, St Kilda.

Derek Alexander, archaeologist with the National Trust for Scotland said:

“We welcome the news that the Antonine Wall has been recognised as amongst the most important historical sites in the world. We cannot under-estimate what it tells us about the wider Roman Empire but also the interaction between the Roman military and the local inhabitants.

“The award will help raise the profile of this important site within Scotland and beyond and ensure its preservation for future generations.”

 

Since its public meeting at Inverewe on 9 June, the National Trust for Scotland has been listening to many different views in the local community and carefully assessing the issue of late access to Inverewe Garden after 6pm. The charity promised local residents it would come to its conclusions within a month and this promise has now been fulfilled.

The charity has decided to continue the use of an honesty box during summer evenings at Inverewe and is appealing to the local community to encourage honesty box donations by evening visitors, to help the property balance its books and be treated fairly.

The Trust also noted the strength of local feeling over the access issue and was concerned that relations with some local residents had suffered as a consequence.

Mark Adderley, Chief Executive of the Trust said:

“We always strive to have a good relationship with the local community in each of our properties and I am keen to see the situation in Inverewe achieve that again with improved communications locally. We have listened carefully to local residents, whose support we value, and decided to continue with an honesty box out of hours to address the access issue.

“Inverewe is a very special place and as a charity, we must continue to look at ways to help balance the books there and attract new members, as we rely on membership for a large part of our income.

“We are also committed to starting a new Friends of Inverewe group and we will be inviting local residents to join the new Friends group in October. It’s important for us to plan this carefully and October is the most appropriate time, at the end of the busy summer visitor season.

“The local community has an important role to play in ensuring Inverewe’s future success, as the Garden needs the community and the community needs the Garden.”

The issue of free passes to the Garden to residents living in the Wester Loch Ewe area was deferred at the June public meeting for six months, to allow the gathering of information on the exact number of Wester Loch Ewe free passes there are in circulation and exactly how frequently they are used.
 

Scotland, embraced the digital age today as it launched a podcast to take visitors on a tour at the floral and fragrant Priorwood Garden and dried flower shop in Melrose.

The fifth in a series of six walking podcasts available for free at www.nts.org.uk/multimedia, the download takes visitors on a tour of the garden, explaining which flowers flourish there.

The podcasts are designed to encourage visitors to enjoy walking at Trust properties and include a tour of the picturesque town of Dunkeld, a wildlife walk around the dramatic Glencoe and a stroll around the medieval streets of Culross, Fife.

Marketing Manager Clare Willis said:

“Priorwood is a magical garden to explore and there is so much to see. Joining a guided tour with a gardener is a great way to learn more, but it’s just not convenient for every visitor. Free podcasts give us a great opportunity to highlight the very best of the Trust’s properties.

“Whether it’s a secluded spot in a beautiful garden, an impressive mountain vista or a fascinating fact about village life, there is something extra in there for our visitors. We hope the downloads will be used by visitors of all ages who want to get even more out of their time at a Trust property.”
 

On Sunday 6 July, Trust experts who look after the estate will give an insight into what is involved in running such a huge property.

As well as the wildlife conservation work that is underway on the estate, visitors will enjoy forestry demonstrations. Rangers will be on hand to give advice on the best walks around the property and talk about their important work to protect and preserve this incredible, wild landscape. The role of animals on the estate will be recognised too, as dogs, Highland ponies and ferrets show off their skills.

For those more interested in country living, than country pursuits, there will be a rare treat as visitors will be welcome to tour Mar Lodge. The grand rooms, that are normally not accessible to the public, will be on show from 10am until 4pm. The spectacular Stag Ballroom is not to be missed.

For more information contact Peter Holden, Senior Ranger: 0844 493 2173
 

Conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland, embraced the digital age today as it launched a podcast to take visitors on a scenic walk around Dunkeld and the Hermitage.

The fourth in a series of six walking podcasts available for free at www.nts.org.uk/multimedia, the download takes visitors from the picturesque Dunkeld, to the Hermitage and then on a woodland walk to Ossian’s Hall.

The podcasts are designed to encourage visitors to enjoy walking at Trust properties and include a wander around the tranquil Priorwood and Harmony gardens in Melrose, a wildlife walk around the dramatic Glencoe and a stroll around the medieval streets of Culross, Fife.

Marketing Manager Clare Willis said:

“Dunkeld and its surrounding area are great locations for walks and there is so much to see. Joining a guided tour or a ranger-led walk is a great way to learn more, but it’s just not convenient for every visitor. Free podcasts give us a great opportunity to highlight the very best of the Trust’s properties. Whether it’s a secluded spot in a beautiful garden, an impressive mountain vista or a fascinating fact about village life, there is something extra in there for our visitors. We hope the downloads will be used by visitors of all ages who want to get even more out of their time at a Trust property.”
 

Don’t be late on the very important date of 10 July, as the National Trust for Scotland’s Holmwood House in Cathcart, Glasgow presents an exciting adaptation of Alice in Wonderland.

Performed by the Chapterhouse Theatre Company in the scenic surroundings at Holmwood House, the performance is sure to be out of this world.

Why not get in on the act and come along as your favourite character for Carroll’s well-loved tall tale. Whether you are a Mad Hatter or an Ace of Spades, there will be the chance to get your 15 minutes of fame, during the fancy dress parade that will take place at the interval.

Tickets cost £12 for adults, £8 for children and £35 for families. 10% discount for party of 10 or more. To book, call 0844 493 2202.

Doors open at 6pm in the picnic area and the performance begins at 7pm.
 

The National Trust for Scotland is searching for experts with experience in gardens and historic interiors to volunteer their time and expertise to the charity.

The Trust needs two conservation specialists to take on important roles as chairs for their Gardens & Designed Landscapes Advisory Panel and the Interiors & Collections Advisory Panel.

The panels provide advice to the Trust on conservation and heritage issues and help the Trust with projects. The Trust has in its care over 60 gardens and designed landscapes and hundreds of historic interiors.

Conservation Services & Projects Director Andrew Bachell said:

“We are looking for two people with extensive gardens or interiors knowledge to chair these panels and to represent the panels on the Trust’s Conservation Committee.

“Although the positions are voluntary they will be very influential. The advisory panels make an important contribution to our work, looking after some of Scotland’s most valuable heritage sites, most of which are open to the public.”

The positions will also enable the new Chairs to work with like-minded specialists and with people from other branches of conservation.

The ideal candidates will have conservation knowledge and expertise in either gardens and designed landscapes or interiors and collections and experience of chairing committees.

The closing date for applications is Friday 8 August 2008 and interviews will be held on Tuesday 19 August 2008.

For more information about the positions, contact Caroline Walsh on 0844 493 2497 or email cwalsh@nts.org.uk.
 

The appeal will go some way towards helping the charity prevent potentially devastating diseases like Sudden Oak Death from wiping out some of its most precious and rare plant specimens.

The charity plans to grow extra stocks of its rarest species which are vulnerable to attack from virulent plant diseases, to ensure that those plants survive for future generations.

Already, the potentially devastating fungal disease Phytophthora ramorum – also known as Sudden Oak Death – has been found at a number of gardens in Scotland, including Trust gardens in the West of Scotland, notably Arduaine in Argyll and Inverewe in Ross-shire. A similar disease, Phytophthora kernoviae has been detected at Brodick on Arran.

The charity is working to raise £50,000 which it will use to accelerate propagation work to back up collections, speed up plant recording and database work for conservation, create an urgent action plan for plant disease outbreaks and prepare gardeners for the new challenges.

Conservation Services and Projects Director, Andrew Bachell said:

“We think carefully about when to ask the public for help and we felt that the threat to our plant collections was sufficiently serious to merit this approach. We decided that we had to act now to ensure that we can take the necessary steps to protect our plants for the future.”

Director of Development, Lorna Stoddart said:

“We are aiming to raise £50,000 with our threatened plants appeal which will be put to good use in our gardens all across Scotland, backing up our rare plants and ensuring we always have an ‘insurance policy’ to draw on, in the event of an outbreak of disease. A donation of £30 can pay for a precautionary test of an area already at risk from Sudden Oak Death.”

Donations to the appeal can be made at www.nts.org.uk/ThreatenedPlantsAppeal. The Trust is also mailing the appeal to 20,000 supporters across the country.

The charity is also working with the Scottish Government to set up a national working group which will develop plans to help protect the whole country from outbreaks of these diseases.

Head of Gardens and Landscape Services for the National Trust for Scotland, Jan Haenraets said:

“The Trust has some of the most incredible collections of plants in Scotland. We must make sure that we conserve and preserve them for future generations. Both Phytophthora ramorum and kernoviae are serious diseases for Scotland and present a real challenge for all gardeners – not just those caring for Trust plant collections.

“Our expert gardeners are working hard to contain the diseases, in line with advice from the Scottish Government. So far, the impact on plant collections has been contained, but we are concerned about the long-term implications.

“This fundraising will help us to reduce the risk of losing irreplaceable, important plants. It will also enable us to continue to invest in skills and knowledge, so that we can spot the warning signs of disease.

“Gardeners must work together to tackle this problem, that is why we are working with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders to establish a national working group to consider the issues involved in containing such potentially destructive diseases.”
 

Parents in need of inspiration on how to amuse energetic, inquisitive children over the school holidays need look no further than the National Trust for Scotland.

The conservation charity has launched a summer events guide to coincide with the start of the school holidays.

Available online at www.nts.org.uk/Downloads/Events%202008.pdf and at all 129 Trust properties across Scotland, the guide is filled with outings and activities to keep children and young people busy all summer long. Check out www.nts.org.uk/events for even more activities.

Get your family out in the fresh air and get active with guided walks and nature trails, take to the water in a sea-kayak or go back in time with living history days.

With events planned at properties across the country, from Highland to the Scottish Borders, there are plenty of activities on offer right on your doorstep.

National Events Manager at the National Trust for Scotland, Jill McNicol said:

“It’s always a challenge to keep your kids amused for the summer holidays. There are thousands of activities on offer at National Trust for Scotland properties all across the country. That’s great because it means less time in the car, less money on petrol and more time together as a family. Download a guide at our website, or pick up a copy at your next visit to a favourite Trust property. We look forward to seeing you over the summer.”
 

Experts and volunteers from conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland check on whether any bats have made their home at Culross in Fife on Wednesday 2 July.

The historic burgh is cared for by the Trust and is one of seventeen Trust properties taking part in bat surveys this summer.

There is already one known bat roost at Culross, but experts will check the site for signs of any additional small, nocturnal mammals during the visit tomorrow.

The charity is keen to establish exactly where the bats live and which species are present, as part of its ongoing work to protect and conserve the legally-protected mammals and their roosts. The project is part-funded by Scottish Natural Heritage.

Mr Lindsay Mackinlay, Nature Conservation Adviser said:

“Bats can be tricky to find because they are so small. They can squeeze into incredibly tight gaps and live in inaccessible parts of buildings and trees. We only know of one roost at Culross, so we need to check that it’s still inhabited and whether there are any new roosts. It’s important to check so that we can make sure these creatures and their habitats are not disturbed.”
 

Clans, families and folk with a link to the Battle of Culloden are being urged by the National Trust for Scotland to take a last chance to go down in history.

The rallying cry comes as the charity announced that there are only a few weeks left to have a customized Caithness stone set in the walkway approaching the new visitor centre.

The Culloden Stones appeal was set up to help raise funds to redevelop the Culloden Visitor Centre and battlefield, which was officially opened in April 2008 by young descendants of Culloden fighters.

More than 1200 individually engraved Caithness stones have been bought by donors, raising more than £75,000.

The pathway leading to the centre is paved with these stones which are personalised with inscriptions and insignias – many from Clan Groups - from around the world. The last chance to buy stones is Monday 7 July 2008.

Deirdre Smyth, general manager at Culloden said:

“Culloden is a place that many people have strong emotional and family ties with. The stones are an excellent way for supporters from all over the world to make their mark at this important historic site, as well as make an important and very welcome financial contribution to our work. “
 

The National Trust for Scotland has received a £5.8m funding boost to its Robert Burns Birthplace Museum project today, with the news that the charity has been successful in its Stage Two submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

This substantial HLF contribution represents an important step towards the Trust realising an overall fundraising target which, if achieved, will enable it to begin its plans to build a new world class Burns museum in Alloway, the Ayrshire town where Burns was born.

The National Trust for Scotland now needs to raise an additional £5m itself towards the project, to add to the £5.8m HLF funding, a £5.5m contribution from the Scottish Government, £500,000 anticipated from Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire, and land in Alloway worth £2.8m from South Ayrshire Council. The programme is the largest, most ambitious project the charity has ever sought to undertake.

Commenting on today’s most welcome news, Shonaig Macpherson, Chairman of the National Trust for Scotland said:

“This is wonderful news for the Trust. We are extremely grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for granting such a substantial amount of money for what is unquestionably a prestigious and hugely significant Burns project.

“The HLF decision shows great faith in the National Trust for Scotland’s ability
to deliver such an important museum for the people of Scotland and Burns enthusiasts around the world. We must now play our part and raise several million pounds before construction of the museum and other Burns initiatives can begin. This will include a major public appeal to be launched in September.

“The Trust is uniquely placed to take on a project of this size and nature. The HLF support, together with our other major funders, means we are an important step closer to delivering a world class museum in Alloway and an exciting re-interpretation of the cottage where Burns was born. As a charity we feel honoured to be responsible for this project and we appreciate that, for the large part, it is only possible thanks to our major funders.”

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland said:

"The Heritage Lottery Fund is delighted to announce our investment of £5.8m in this project. Robert Burns is perhaps the world's best-known Scot. His importance as a poet, songwriter and humanist is acknowledged from Ayrshire to the Urals and people of all ages recognise and enjoy his work.

“Burns' legacy is one of Scotland's great gifts to the world. It is only fitting that our generation create a museum at Burns' birthplace that is a worthy tribute to the man and his works, and where future generations can better enjoy and understand him.”

The National Trust for Scotland was first approached to take the lead in delivering the multi-million pound project in 2004. The initiative involves creating the new world class Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, carrying out a major re-interpretation of the cottage where Burns was born, delivering exciting new education facilities and enhancing the Burns Monument, Brig o’Doon and Auld Kirk.

None of this would be possible without the consent and cooperation of the Burns Monument Trust, who own most of the Burns landmarks and collections in Alloway. Their trustees will soon hand over ownership to the National Trust for Scotland.

Their Chairman, the Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran, Mr John L Duncan, QPM, said:

“Today’s announcement is great news for all with an interest in Robert Burns. Since 1814, the Burns Monument Trust has shouldered the responsibility of preserving the built heritage and collections of Burns and the announcement today will facilitate the passing of that responsibility to the National Trust for Scotland.

“No safer hands could be found; we are confident that the future of all that we have preserved, built up and cared for over these many years, is secure.”
The Alloway land where the landmarks and collections are located is owned by South Ayrshire Council. The Council, which has been very supportive of the charity’s plans in Alloway, will give the land to the National Trust for Scotland, worth an estimated £2.8m.

Councillor Margaret Toner, Depute Leader of South Ayrshire Council and Chair of the Joint Board said:

“I am delighted that significant funding has been secured for such an important project. Tourism is the life blood of business in South Ayrshire and I know that the new facilities will increase visitors to this area.”

The new museum and cottage re-interpretation will indeed attract many Burns enthusiasts and tourists to the Alloway area, boosting the local economy and raising the profile of Ayrshire in general. With HLF funding now in place, Scottish Enterprise plan to contribute £500,000 to the project.

Michael Wright of Scottish Enterprise said:

"We are delighted that the National Trust for Scotland has been successful in securing Heritage Lottery Funding. Scottish Enterprise has worked closely with the Trust over the past few years to help in the preparation of the business plan and design concepts for the museum and we will continue to support them as they move towards implementing these plans.

"Burns is a key Scottish cultural icon and it is fitting that as the nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of his birth in 2009 that work will be underway on the creation of a new museum which will preserve the Burns legacy for future generations to come."

The local community is enthusiastic about how the project can enhance Alloway and Peter Watson, Chair of Alloway & Doon foot Community Council added:

“The community is pleased that the Trust is taking this project forward. We are convinced that this needs to be of the highest possible standard and the plans we have seen so far will certainly bring Burns into the 21st century.”

Commenting on the HLF funding decision, Mark Adderley, Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland added:

“With HLF funding secure, we are now entering a most exciting fundraising stage of our Burns project, which follows on from the successful completion of the new Culloden Visitor Centre last year.

“We will soon be going out to tender for major parts of the project and hope to be able to confirm shortly that the cottage re-interpretation will be achieved in 2009. We anticipate playing our part in the 250th anniversary of Burns’ birth and the Homecoming Scotland activities throughout 2009. Once our funding is in place, the museum itself is expected to be ready in 2010.”

 

The National Trust for Scotland charity called for Ministers to consider scrapping the right to buy for crofts, to ensure the long-term survival of crofting in Scotland.

In an open letter to Environment Minister Michael Russell, the conservation charity said right to buy is the greatest threat to crofting’s survival. Instead, the Trust recommended introducing an ‘application to buy’ – an approach that would greatly reduce the number of crofts passing into private ownership and out of crofting.

The Trust’s proposal goes further than that made by the Crofting Inquiry Committee’s report which supported the continuation of the right to buy, but to give new local crofting boards the power to remove that, if they wished.

In their detailed letter that aims to influence the government’s response to the Shucksmith report, the National Trust for Scotland made a series of recommendations based on its careful consideration of the report and the charity’s first-hand experience. The charity owns six crofting estates including Balmacara, Torridon and Fair Isle, which support more than 200 registered crofts.

The Trust also asked Ministers to ensure that any legislation and guidance produced in response to the Shucksmith report was carefully drafted and detailed to help ensure effective regulation and governance by the new local crofting boards, to consider introducing a requirement for wider community consultation on decisions taken by the new boards and to ensure that local crofting plans and local development are integrated.

Iain Turnbull, property manager at Balmacara, is the Trust’s leading authority on crofting issues. He said:

“This is an exciting opportunity for Scotland to strengthen crofting and ensure it survives and thrives in the future. The Trust has made a significant contribution to the crofting debate and as a landowner with more than 200 crofts in our care, we felt our detailed insight into crofting could further help Ministers as they develop their response to the Shucksmith report, over the summer break.

“The Trust is strongly supportive of the Shucksmith report and its recommendations, which we believe offers much that is good for the future of crofting. Its action on right to buy, however, is not yet strong enough.

“We also believe that care must be taken to protect the funding available for crofting and that the legal loopholes that have thwarted the Crofting Commission’s attempts to regulate within this complex area of law must be closed. If we can address these issues, it puts Scottish crofting on a strong footing for the future.”

The National Trust for Scotland owns six crofting estates: Balmacara, Canna, Fair Isle, Iona, Kintail and Torridon, and one croft on Yell. These amount to nearly 200 registered crofts. The Trust is committed to the management of our crofting estates to protect, enhance, and promote Scotland’s crofting landscape and its associated cultural and natural heritage.

 

Following the recent publication of the final report of the Committee of Inquiry on Crofting led by Professor Shucksmith, and your commitment to respond in detail later this summer, the National Trust for Scotland charity (the Trust) believes it would be useful to provide you with our considered response and hope that our input may further influence your own response on these important issues.

Crofting is a significant and valuable part of the cultural and natural heritage of the Highlands and Islands, and as landlord to six crofting estates that contain nearly 200 registered crofts, the Trust seeks to promote thriving crofting communities as part of its wider support for the countryside and the conservation of Scotland’s heritage. We wholeheartedly welcome the Shucksmith Report with its strong clear vision and bold and inspirational recommendations.

The Trust is also encouraged by the Government’s positive reaction, and the significant cross-party support, evident during the Parliamentary debate on 15 May. The strength of positive reaction across the crofting communities and organisations is a further indication that there is considerable support for the Shucksmith report and a collective desire to secure the future of crofting. Against this background the Trust has set out below more detailed thoughts on the Report’s recommendations.

Detailed Comments

1) Many of the Trust’s previous suggestions, such as reviewing the assignation of crofts, the need for crofters to reside on or near their croft and to work the land, and the review of the individual crofter’s right to buy their croft and associated de-crofting, have been taken on board and included in the Report. However, it could be considered that the report has ducked the real issue of the right to buy and passed on the issue to the local committees/boards. While this may encourage representation of local opinion it may also be subject to vested interests prevailing. The Trust would restate its earlier view that the right to buy remains the primary force in the current demise of genuine crofting and should be removed, possibly with the introduction of an “application to buy” process when a crofter genuinely requires ownership for a specific purpose that the township committee and local crofting board consider to be appropriate. Hence, the right to buy should be removed but could be reinstated on application individually, rather than the current proposal which leaves it in place subject to possible removal by the local boards.

2) The increase in active and resident crofters and greater support for contributing towards environmental and cultural public goods are laudable aims and are supported by the Trust. The achievement of these aims will depend largely on the detail of any legislation or policy changes at agency level. To ensure the success of these aims, the Trust would advocate two key features:
Firstly, it is essential that whoever governs crofting has the ability to enforce policy on residency and activity.
Secondly, funding for traditional crofting activities must be increased to reflect more accurately the costs of producing agricultural products in the remote crofting areas. The Trust has operated a simple Traditional Croft Management Scheme at Balmacara for two years and intends to continue this for another three years. This was developed through discussion between the Trust and the resident crofters on the estate. Similar inclusive and flexible schemes need to be developed on an area by area basis.

3) The Trust is supportive of the proposal to introduce a ‘residency burden’ to croft house sites from 12 May 2008, a move which would help protect crofts for the future. It is essential that any such burdens are retrospectively applied back to 12 May 2008 to prevent a rush of speculation. We would urge the Scottish Government to ensure that any such burden is enforceable, as well as considering possible penalties for any breach of this condition.

4) The report states that crofting has an important contribution to make towards sustaining a well-populated and well-managed countryside and emphasises the need for crofting to be well-regulated and governed in the public interest. The Trust warmly welcomes this stance, especially the emphasis on crofting communities being in greater control of their own destiny. The key factor in this is the form that the devolved crofting community bodies take.
We would urge Ministers to give careful consideration to key questions such as: who will be represented on these bodies - both at board and township level; whether there will be scope for amalgamation of committees where townships are either too small to form a committee or do not wish to do so individually; and the role of the landlord in these bodies. The Crofting Boards will necessarily cover very large areas and it is hard to see how such a structure might include all relevant parties, unless there is a direct link through to the township committees. We urge Ministers to consider requiring appropriate wider community consultation on decisions taken by the Boards.

5) The Trust welcomes the recognition by the report that access to affordable housing affects both crofters and the wider community, and that much assistance is needed. The proposed levels of support remain too low to provide effective support for many individuals and families throughout the Highlands & Islands. In many crofting areas it costs around £200,000 to build a house, and even with the grant and loan, this is beyond most household incomes. We would encourage the Scottish Government to seek a stronger alternative to this issue. One possibility is that through Housing Associations or local community housing trusts, new housing could be built on a shared equity basis, with the community share being retained to help ensure residency in the longer term.

6) Support for new entrants into crofting is an essential tool for bringing under-used, or un-used crofts back into use. The linkages between this support and that aimed at addressing the housing issue, as detailed above, should be strengthened.

7) Local Crofting Plans ought to reflect the balance between individual and wider crofting community rights, and contribute towards avoiding inappropriate development. However, this is where the relationship between this planning process and the statutory Local Planning process is critical. We believe that the Crofting Boards should be made statutory consultees for planning applications. The right balance must be struck to integrate crofting plans into the wider community and vice versa.

8) The vision for the governance of crofting contains many elements that the Trust believes allows for considerable improvement on the current situation. However, the benefits of separating the governance from the development function are not sufficiently clear. In what way will the Federation of Crofting Boards differ from the Commission? Obviously there will be local boards below the Federation, but the over-arching body could simply remain as the Commission with some changes. It would be an unfortunate outcome if the corporate knowledge of the many experienced staff in the Commission was lost.
That said, one potential advantage of separating the development function is that it may lead to better integration of crofting and non-crofting elements of the community. Whatever solution is applied, there must be dedicated funding for the development of crofting areas and existing funding must not be lost.

9) The proposals to devolve responsibility for governance of crofting to a more local level, encouragement of traditional crofting land uses, and enforcement of the occupancy and use of croft land are welcomed. However, the key issue is what form these proposals will take in detail. It is essential that any changes that are introduced to primary legislation regarding the above must be capable of being enforced via the Scottish Land Court (SLC) if necessary. Hence, clear guidance on how the new legislation should be interpreted must be provided, for the avoidance of doubt.
For example, if a crofter lives on or near his croft and is working the land, the report recommends there be no change to the fundamental rights of crofters that have existed for well over a century, such as security of tenure, succession and fair rents. The definition of working the land must be tightened up to avoid abuse and/or loopholes in the law.
The Crofters Commission has been criticised for its poor record of regulation within the current regulations framework. However, in reality they have tried and failed on many occasions simply because the SLC has overruled their decisions due to loopholes in the law. We would emphasise the need for any resulting legislation and guidance to be well-drafted to prevent this situation from continuing.

10) The recommendation that the register of crofts should be maintained by the Registers of Scotland, and map based, seems sensible. Comment has been made in the press about the potential cost of this element of the proposals. However, a lot of the information required (e.g. boundary information) is already recorded through the IACS system and with appropriate changes to the rules of that scheme, this could be made available to the National Register as a good starting point for creating and agreeing a map-based register.

The Trust is committed to the management of its crofting estates to protect, enhance, and promote Scotland’s crofting landscape and its associated cultural and natural heritage. We will continue to support and contribute to securing the future of crofting. We would be happy to meet with you or your colleagues to expand on any of the above.  

Young visitors can step back in time with creative activities at one on Scotland’s most prestigious addresses this summer.

The National Trust for Scotland’s Georgian House, which is next door to the First Minister’s official residence Bute House, starts its summer activities programme this Saturday 28 June.

Youngsters can sample Georgian fashions first-hand, getting dressed up in historic garb or try out the Georgian equivalent of texting - the quill pen. There are lots of other creative opportunities offered in the grand surroundings at the Georgian House too.

Property Manager Sheonagh Martin said:

“In Georgian times, children were expected to be seen and not heard. Thankfully, times have changed and we hope to hear lots of laughter in the Georgian House this summer as our younger visitors get dressed up in mob caps and cravats and get a glimpse of what life was like in Georgian times.”

Children’s events run daily at the Georgian House from 10am – 5pm. Activities are included in the entry price which is £5 per adult and £14 per family.

For more information, please call 0844 493 2118.
 

Get a taste of medieval times at the National Trust for Scotland charity’s Falkland Palace in Fife this Saturday 28 June, as a fair featuring music, food and fun from days-gone-by takes to the street.

The street fair, which takes place from 11am until 3pm will offer families the chance to sample the food, music and entertainment that might have been on offer when Mary Queen of Scots visited the historic palace. Falkland is famous for its royal connections, especially with the Stewart family.

Bill Lessels, property manager said:

“Falkland has a long and fascinating history and we are always looking for ways to bring that to life for visitors. The street fair will give families a flavour of the merry times that were had at Falkland Palace by its many royal visitors. We know that Mary Queen of Scots held Falkland close to her heart and we hope that this Saturday will win us even more admirers.”
 

Staff at the Culloden Visitor Centre are today celebrating their third award nomination so far this year.

The National Trust for Scotland charity’s £9 million centre has been nominated in the tourism category at the National Business Awards for Scotland 2008, sponsored by Orange.

The awards, which are presented on 11 September 2008, reward and recognise excellence, best practice and innovation throughout the Scottish business community.

Culloden is up against some tough competition in the VisitScotland Tourism Business of the Year Award category, including the Scottish Seabirds Centre at North Berwick and the real Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh.

The centre has welcomed thousands of visitors since it opened to the public in December 2007 and has already taken top prize for its use of technology at the Museum and Heritage Awards in London last month. It was also shortlisted in the Royal Institute of British Architecture Awards.

This latest award nomination is further confirmation of the success of the project which has received rave reviews for its bold and evocative exhibition which really brings the Battle of Culloden to life.

Deirdre Smyth, general manager at Culloden said:

“Culloden truly is a must-see destination for tourists from within Scotland and from overseas. It is great to have these efforts recognised. This nomination is fantastic news for everyone involved in the Culloden project and for the staff here who work so hard to bring the battle to life for our many visitors and give each one a great experience.”
 

Conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland, embraced the digital age today as it launched a podcast to take visitors on a scenic walk around the iconic Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire.

The third in a series of six walking podcasts available for free at www.nts.org.uk/multimedia, the download features Crathes head gardener Callum Pirnie and ranger Fiona Milne.

The podcasts are designed to encourage visitors to enjoy walking at Trust properties and include a wander around the tranquil Priorwood and Harmony gardens in Melrose, a woodland walk at the Hermitage, Dunkeld, a wildlife walk around the dramatic Glencoe and a stroll around the medieval streets of Culross, Fife.

Marketing Manager Clare Willis said:

“Crathes is a great place for walks and there is so much to see. Joining a guided tour or a ranger-led walk is a great way to learn more, but it’s just not convenient for every visitor. Free podcasts give us a great opportunity to highlight the very best of the Trust’s properties. Whether it’s a secluded spot in a beautiful garden, an impressive mountain vista or a fascinating fact about village life, there is something extra in there for our visitors. We hope the downloads will be used by visitors of all ages who want to get even more out of their time at a Trust property.”
 

Experts and volunteers from conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland check on whether any bats have made their home at the Priorwood and Harmony gardens in Melrose on Thursday 26 June.

The gardens, which are cared for by the Trust, are some of the seventeen Trust properties holding bat surveys over the next few weeks.

Trust wildlife experts believe there may be a bat roost at Harmony Garden and are hopeful of spotting signs of bats during the visit next week. There are no known bat roosts or residents at Priorwood.

The charity is keen to establish exactly where the bats live and which species are present, as part of its ongoing work to protect and conserve the legally-protected mammals and their roosts. The project is part-funded by Scottish Natural Heritage.

Mr Lindsay Mackinlay, Nature Conservation Adviser said:

“Bats can be tricky to find because they are so small. They can squeeze into incredibly tight gaps and live in inaccessible parts of buildings and trees. We are quite hopeful of spotting some bats in the grounds at Harmony, as we suspect there may be a roost somewhere, but we just don’t know about Priorwood. Either way, it’s important to check so that we can make sure these creatures and their habitats are not disturbed.”
 

Are you a local history enthusiast, green-fingered gardener or keen conservationist? Then the National Trust for Scotland needs your skills to help make a difference, whether it’s welcoming visitors to some of Scotland’s most beautiful historic buildings or helping out in their glorious gardens.

Right now, there are volunteering opportunities on offer at Castle Fraser, Sauchen, Crathes Castle in Banchory and Drum Castle by Banchory. Volunteering with the Trust is a great way to get involved with the charity’s conservation work, make a contribution to your community and help protect and preserve some of Scotland’s treasures.

Castle Fraser is currently looking for volunteer guides and membership recruiters. Crathes Castle has opportunities with their Rangers service and Drum Castle is looking for keen volunteers to get involved with gardening, events and education projects.

John Barber, a volunteer guide at Brodie Castle in Forres, says that his role has changed his life. He said:
“I come from an IT background, and I went into IT at a time when people who did that got on better with computers than with people. I avoided public speaking for the whole of my working life.”
Now John revels in his role of showing parties around Brodie Castle.
As well as gaining new skills and experience, volunteers at the Trust make a vital contribution to the work of one of Scotland’s largest conservation charities.

Head of Volunteering, Violet Dalton said:

“As a conservation charity, we depend on the time and skills of dedicated volunteers to help maintain our fantastic properties, provide a great service to visitors and conserve our landscapes and wildlife. There are loads of exciting opportunities in your area, so please visit our volunteering website for more information.”

For more information on current volunteering opportunities and to apply, visit www.nts.org.uk/volunteering.

 

Are you a local history enthusiast, green-fingered gardener or keen conservationist? Then the National Trust for Scotland needs your skills to help make a difference.

Right now, there are volunteering opportunities on offer at Hutchesons' Hall in the city centre, Tenement House at Charing Cross and Pollok House, set in the glorious grounds at Pollok Park. Volunteering with the Trust is a great way to get involved with the charity’s conservation work, make a contribution to your community and help protect and preserve some of Scotland’s treasures.

Hutchesons' Hall is currently looking for volunteers to help out in its well-stocked gift shop, while the Tenement House and Pollok House are looking for volunteer guides to tell visitors more about these iconic Glasgow properties.

John Barber, a volunteer guide at Brodie Castle in Forres, says that his role has changed his life. He said:
“I come from an IT background, and I went into IT at a time when people who did that got on better with computers than with people. I avoided public speaking for the whole of my working life.”
Now John revels in his role of showing parties around Brodie Castle.
As well as gaining new skills and experience, volunteers at the Trust make a vital contribution to the work of one of Scotland’s largest conservation charities.

Head of Volunteering, Violet Dalton said:

“As a conservation charity, we depend on the time and skills of dedicated volunteers to help maintain our fantastic properties, provide a great service to visitors and conserve our landscapes and wildlife. There are loads of exciting opportunities in your area, so please visit our volunteering website for more information.”

For more information on current volunteering opportunities and to apply, visit www.nts.org.uk/volunteering.
 

There will be swash-buckling action this weekend at the National Trust for Scotland’s dramatic Drum Castle, by Banchory, as a historic swordsmanship display gets underway.

Visitors will be treated to deft and dazzling displays of this increasingly rare craft on Sunday 22 June at from noon until 4pm. Hear the clash of broadswords and marvel at the skill and speed of some of Scotland’s top swordsman – all set in the atmospheric shadow of Drum Castle.

For more information, call 0844 493 2161.
 

Take a twilight tour of Hill of Tarvit in Fife on the evening of Saturday 21 June and see the garden in a whole new light.

The tour is a great chance to get inspired during the gardening season and learn more about the beautiful garden. Head gardener, Peter Christopher will be on hand to answer any questions.

Peter said:

“An evening visit to the garden in mid-summer is enchanting, giving visitors a different perspective on plants. Fragrance is much more noticeable at dusk and this really adds a different dimension to the garden.”

The event takes place on Saturday 21 June and costs £4 for adults and £3 for concessions. Please call 0844 493 2185 to book
 

Marvel at some of the most powerful and graceful birds of prey flying in the beautiful grounds of Crathes Castle on Sunday 22 June 2008.

Eagles, falcons and merlins will soar over the castle as part of a fabulous free-flying display from 1.30pm. The event is free.

Property Manager Wendy McDonald said:

“These birds are truly beautiful and it’s fantastic to give visitors the chance to see them up close and in the air. The grounds at Crathes are looking really beautiful as we head into the summer, so there is no better setting to marvel at the majesty of these powerful birds of prey.”

For more information, please call 0844 493 2166.
 

Walk amongst the wonderful flowers in the walled garden at the National Trust for Scotland’s Culzean Castle, Ayrshire on Sunday 22 June from 11am.

Take the opportunity to ask Susan Russell, Head Gardener for a few green-fingered tips too.

Visitors can enjoy the beautiful blooms at Culzean, pick up some gardening tips and buy a plant or two to take home this coming weekend, as part of a programme of events at the country park as summer officially gets underway.

For those more interested in fauna than flora, there is plenty on offer too. The Ayr and District Beekeepers will also be on hand to give an insight into the fascinating world of these wonderful winged insects, their hives and their honey.

A number of wildlife walks are also planned under the watchful eye of Trust rangers. It’s a great chance to spot some fascinating insect life – or something bigger.

For more information, call 0844 493 2148.
 

Conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland, embraced the digital age today as it launched a podcast to take visitors on a scenic walk around its iconic Glencoe property.

The second in a series of six walking podcasts available for free at www.nts.org.uk/multimedia, the download features Trust ranger Scott McCombie.

The podcasts are designed to encourage visitors to enjoy walking at Trust properties and include a wander around the tranquil Priorwood and Harmony gardens in Melrose, a woodland walk at the Hermitage, Dunkeld, a walk around the wider estate at Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire and a stroll around the medieval streets of Culross, Fife.

Marketing Manager Clare Willis said:

“Glencoe is an amazing place for walks and there is so much to see. Joining a guided tour or a ranger-led walk is a great way to learn more, but it’s just not convenient for every visitor. Free podcasts give us a great opportunity to highlight the very best of the Trust’s properties. Whether it’s a secluded spot in a beautiful garden, an impressive mountain vista or a fascinating fact about village life, there is something extra in there for our visitors. We hope the downloads will be used by visitors of all ages who want to get even more out of their time at a Trust property.”
 

Experts and volunteers from conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland check on whether any bats have made their home at Bannockburn Visitor Centre, Stirling on Wednesday 18 June and Moirlanich Longhouse, near Killin on Thursday 19 June.

Seventeen Trust properties across Scotland are holding bat surveys over the next eight weeks.

While there are no known bat roosts or residents at the Bannockburn Visitor Centre, there are several roosts in the area. Experts will check the site for signs of the small, nocturnal mammals during the visit next week.

At the longhouse, there has been a bat roost in the past. The monitoring team will check for new activity.

The charity is keen to establish exactly where the bats live and which species are present, as part of its ongoing work to protect and conserve the legally-protected mammals and their roosts.

Mr Lindsay Mackinlay, Nature Conservation Adviser said:

“Bats can be tricky to find because they are so small. They can squeeze into incredibly tight gaps and live in inaccessible parts of buildings and trees. We don’t know of any roosting at the visitor centre at Bannockburn, but it’s important to check so that we can make sure these creatures and their habitats are not disturbed.”
 

Experts and volunteers from conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland check on whether any bats have made their home at Weaver’s Cottage, Kilbarchan on Tuesday 17 June.

The cottage, which is cared for by the Trust, is one of seventeen Trust properties holding bat surveys over the next eight weeks.

There are no known bat roosts or residents at Weaver’s Cottage, but experts will check the site for signs of the small, nocturnal mammals during a visit next week.

The charity is keen to establish exactly where the bats live and which species are present, as part of its ongoing work to protect and conserve the legally-protected mammals and their roosts.

Mr Lindsay Mackinlay, Nature Conservation Adviser said:

“Bats can be tricky to find because they are so small. They can squeeze into incredibly tight gaps and live in inaccessible parts of buildings and trees. We don’t know of any roosting at Weaver’s Cottage, but it’s important to check so that we can make sure these creatures and their habitats are not disturbed.”
 

Artworks inspired by the iconic sculptural centerpiece at the National Trust for Scotland’s Greenbank Garden go on display this weekend (Saturday 14 June).

The art was created by students at Cardonald College and inspired by the famous Foam fountain, at the charity’s Clarkston property.

Foam was forged in 1938 by Charles D’Orville Pilkington Jackson for display at the Glasgow Empire Fair. The beautiful figure has inspired visitors, staff and volunteers at Greenbank Garden since 1986. That inspiration has now extended to include a group of young artists as they master their craft.

Around a dozen unique pieces will be dotted throughout the gardens for the next few weeks and visitors will be taken on guided walks through the grounds.

Property Manager David Ferguson said:

“Foam was created specifically for Glasgow, which we know has a vibrant and thriving art scene. It’s great to see this wonderful work of art inspiring the artists of the future, who are adding something new to our glorious garden at Greenbank.”

Greenbank Garden is open from 9.30 to sunset every day. Entry costs £5 for an adult and £14 for a family, or is free to members of the National Trust for Scotland.
 

Experts and volunteers from conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland this week began the tricky task of finding and counting bats that call some of Scotland’s most iconic buildings home.

Eagle-eyed bat experts will take up post at seventeen Trust properties over the next eight weeks. During the project – one of the biggest of its kind in Scotland – conservationists will count and catalogue bats residing at buildings created by some of Scotland’s most famous architects, as well as glorious gardens.

Bats can be found at 75% of Trust properties, including Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Hill House, near Helensburgh, Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson’s villa at Holmwood in Glasgow, Mary Queen of Scots’ Falkland Palace in Fife, one of Glasgow’s oldest buildings, Provan Hall, near Easterhouse, and the Pineapple, near Falkirk.

The charity is keen to establish exactly where the bats live and which species are present, as part of its ongoing work to protect and conserve the legally-protected mammals and their roosts.

Mr Lindsay Mackinlay, Nature Conservation Adviser said:

“Bats can be tricky to find because they are so small. They can squeeze into incredibly tight gaps and live in inaccessible parts of buildings and trees. This makes taking a census challenging, but it is vital so that we can ensure we do not disturb roosts while we are going about our other work.

“For example, we recently completed building works at Kellie Castle in Fife without blocking up the entries to the roost. We couldn’t have done this without the information gathered at our last bat survey.

“Bat populations have had a hard time in the past but there are now signs that some species are recovering. They still need our help though to tackle their biggest threats - the destruction of roost sites and the habitats where they hunt for insects.

“This census will give us information to monitor the bat populations on our land and to see whether our work is having the positive effect intended. We’ll be able to monitor whether creating new wildflower meadows, or managing our trees and woodland is increasing the food available to bats and boosting populations.

“We hope this project will make others think about bats but it will certainly allow the Trust to keep one of its most interesting residents happy.”
 

One of Shakespeare’s best-loved works gets an airing in the dramatic setting of Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire on the evening of Tuesday 17 June.

The Merry Wives of Windsor will be performed by open-air theatre specialists, Illyria. The play deals with those fundamental themes of love, jealousy and revenge.

Jackie Fisher, Custodian at the castle, said:

“Open air theatre is a fantastic experience at Drum, where the castle provides just as much drama as the content of the play. We hope visitors will get a real sense of the medieval at this performance, which will really bring the tale to life.”

Tickets cost £10 for adults and £6 for children. To book, please call 0844 493 2167.
 

The plan which sets out exactly how the National Trust for Scotland will care for the dual World Heritage Site, St Kilda is due to be reviewed.

The Trust is committed to protecting and preserving these incredible islands which are is close to the hearts of many. To do this, the conservation charity draws up a Management Plan which sets out the significance of and long term vision for the islands. In addition, it sets out the key conservation and management priorities for the islands for the coming years.

The St Kilda Management Plan is now due for review. To help the Trust draw up its new plan, colleagues from the conservation charity want to engage with as many people as possible.

Vicky Cairns, Management Planner at the Trust is leading the review project. She said:

“Over the next 18 months we will be working with our partners and stakeholders, and seeking the views of local communities and members of the public on a variety of issues.

“We are only starting out on this process, but we will be providing progress reports on the St Kilda website, www.kilda.org.uk.

“We are looking to run a web based consultation towards the end of this year and start of 2009. Please check from time to time on our progress and take part in the consultation when it is launched.”
 

Lovers of literature will sample the sights and smells at some of the Borders most glorious gardens, as conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland plays host to the Borders Book Festival for the second year running.

In between author events, visitors can get lost in the magic of the charming walled garden, set against the backdrop of a beautiful Georgian house.

Property Manager Paul Forrest said:

“Harmony Garden is at its best right now. Flowers are in full bloom so there’s plenty of vibrant colour and scent fro visitors to enjoy. The kitchen garden is fully stocked with produce, and a wide selection of organic fruit and vegetable will be going on sale in our shop later in the summer.

“Visitors might like to pop into neighbouring Priorwood Garden too, where you can see the beautiful blooms being harvested and dried to create the stunning dried flower displays for which Priorwood is well-known.”

Robert Smail’s, the Trust’s fully operational Victorian Printing Works in Innerleithen, will also be at the festival and holding drop-in events and workshops for younger visitors to make their very own ‘2008: Year of the Printed Word’ Bookplates and mini notebooks.

The Trust is also launching its new self-catering flat at Priorwood Garden and visitors will be treated to a sneak preview.

National Holidays Manager, Anne Campbell said:

“The new flat sleeps two people and is ideally located for exploring the Borders and walking in the Eildon Hills. Many people don’t realise the Trust has over 60 self-catering properties so we’re inviting visitors to come and look around and find out more about our holiday accommodation.”

The Borders Book Festival takes place between 19 and 22 June in Melrose. For more information, visit www.bordersbookfestival.org
 

It is even easier for volunteers to get involved in caring for some of Scotland’s cultural and natural treasures thanks to the relaunch of the National Trust for Scotland’s Volunteering website.

New features at www.nts.org.uk/volunteering include an online recruitment section that advertises opportunities for prospective volunteers to get involved in the Trust’s work across Scotland. There will be the option to apply online, or register for updates on future opportunities.

The revamped site gives interested parties plenty of information about the types of volunteering offered by the Trust – everything from guiding at a historic house or battlefield, helping out with school visits or getting hands-on in the countryside.

Inspiring stories from committed volunteers also feature on the site, telling browsers exactly why it is such a good thing to get involved with the Trust.

ProjectScotland volunteer, Alice MacNeil spent six months with the Trust.

She said:
“I've always enjoyed giving back to the community and so I knew that I wanted to combine my interest in heritage with volunteering in my gap year. I also knew that I wanted to do this at the National Trust for Scotland because of its involvement throughout Scotland as a conservation charity. It's amazing the variety of people I've met and projects I've been involved in over such a small space of time.”
Head of Volunteering Violet Dalton said:

“Volunteers make such a vital contribution to the work of the Trust and we wanted to make it even easier for even more people to take part.

“We currently have over 3000 fantastic volunteers dedicating their time and skills to the National Trust for Scotland.

“Whether you fancy getting involved in guiding and bringing history to life at our properties, or you are keen on all things green and want to help out at one of our gardens, we always have a wide range of opportunities available.

“The new website will make it easier for our properties to track down the right people and for potential volunteers to see what’s on offer and apply, giving more people the chance to get involved with our work and help protect and preserve some of Scotland’s most iconic buildings and beautiful scenery.”
 

The National Trust for Scotland charity held a public meeting at its Inverewe Garden property on Monday 9 June to listen to local opinion about access issues to the Garden.

Attended by over 100 people in the Wester Ross community around Poolewe, local concern focussed on access to the Garden in the evening and the issuing of free passes to residents living in the Wester Loch Ewe area.

As regards the local passes the Trust has deferred a decision for six months, to allow the gathering of information on the exact number of Wester Loch Ewe free passes there are in circulation and exactly how frequently they are used.

This would allow the Trust to look at any potential charges for such passes that might be introduced in the future, to cover the costs of administration and to ensure the charity is treated fairly.

The Trust confirmed its decision to maintain the extended summer opening time of the visitors centre and retail shop until 1800 and has decided that it will allow the previous practice of evening entry with an honesty box for donations to remain for a one month period. This offers the Trust time to explore all practical options to allow later admission to the Garden, whilst protecting the charity’s overall income at the property.

Mark Adderley, Chief Executive of the Trust said:

“This is likely to be either through visitors entry being registered by a turnstyle or having volunteers to operate a gate. But regardless of what changes we introduce in the future, visitors can still continue to leave the Garden at their leisure through an exit-only gate and our existing winter access in daylight hours won’t change.”

The Trust will continue to look at ways to bring in additional income through other means, including a fresh look at events and a wider range of marketing initiatives for the retail shop and property in general and also consideration over the future use of Inverewe House.

At its peak 15 years ago, Inverewe Garden welcomed 133,000 visitors but last year this had dropped to 77,000 and further UK-wide economic pressure is making it increasingly difficult for individual Trust properties, such as Inverewe Garden, to keep income in line with expenditure.

Mark Adderley added:

“We are first and foremost a charity and rely on membership for a large part of our income. There are considerable pressures on our finances and at Inverewe, like all our 129 properties, we simply have to look at ways to protect our revenue. But we will do so in a way that helps keep Inverewe Garden as open as we possibly can, for our members, visitors and the local community.

“The reality is we need our local supporters to come forward and volunteer to help us administer later entrance and we are appealing to all those interested to contact us to help make this a reality.

“It’s a two way thing, as the future success of Inverewe Garden is important not just to the Trust but also to the local community, as it is an important tourist attraction for the area. So the Garden needs the community and the community needs the Garden.”

The Trust will work with the local community to help establish a Friends of Inverewe Garden group to improve local communications and relations. Such a group would help ensure that everybody plays a part in improving the financial health of the property and the community, to provide a world class amenity for everyone to enjoy.
 

Walk amongst the wonderful wildflowers in the National Trust for Scotland’s David Livingstone Centre on Saturday 21 June at 1pm.

Visitors will be treated to a guided walk through the grounds at the Lanarkshire centre which commemorates the life of one of Scotland’s most intrepid characters.

Stuart Whittaker, a committed staff member at the conservation charity will lead the walk which aims to increase awareness of the beauty of wildflowers. There is a good chance of spotting wildlife too on the wander.

Stuart, who is the retail manager at the centre, said:

“The garden and grounds at the David Livingstone Centre are really beautiful and this walk is a great opportunity for visitors to see more, enjoy some our most lovely wild plants and hopefully spot some interesting wildlife too.”

Walkers should wear stout footwear. Booking is essential. Please call Stuart Whittaker on 0844 493 2100.
 

Canna, the National Trust for Scotland’s island property, will be officially declared rat-free during a visit by Environment Minister Mike Russell today (Saturday 7 June).

The Minister is on Canna as the conservation charity’s three-year programme to conserve the island’s internationally important seabird population through the eradication of rats draws to a successful conclusion.

The last confirmed rat sighting was in February 2006. Now that two years have passed since that last sighting, the island can officially be labelled rat-free.

Environment Minister Mike Russell said:

“Rats, while being fairly innocuous creatures in their natural environment, can have a devastating impact in a fragile ecosystem such as that of Canna.

“I am delighted to see the island declared officially rat-free and look forward to seeing its seabird population flourish.”

Richard Luxmoore, Senior Nature Conservation Adviser with the Trust, said:

“Canna is such an important habitat for seabirds in Scotland that we simply had to act to protect this important site and give our seabirds every chance to thrive.

“Seabirds face so many threats from nature and man and need our help and protection. As a conservation charity, we had to remove the threat of predation from rats which we hope will boost bird numbers in the long term. The seabirds are being monitored over this summer to see just what impact our efforts have had, but already things are looking good. We have already had the first recorded breeding of Manx shearwaters for over ten years.”

The project to protect Canna’s internationally important seabird colonies began in 2005, after several years of research by the conservation charity which decided it must act to prevent the decline of bird populations. Rats were eating the eggs and chicks of ground-nesting seabirds and this was seriously affecting their numbers.

The island’s entire rat population, estimated to have been up to 10,000, was trapped and poisoned throughout the project, using specialist knowledge of New Zealand experts, Trust staff and a large team of volunteers.

Wax blocks, impregnated with poison, were used to kill the rats in 4,200 bait stations set up across the island. Each station was checked twice a week. Two years of intensive monitoring has now confirmed that every last rat is dead.

During the work to eradicate rats, steps also had to be taken to preserve a population of distinctive Canna fieldmice. Project partners, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) captured and kept a population of mice at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park for the duration of the project. Their studies have shown that the mouse population has returned to thriving condition since the project.

The project to protect Canna’s seabirds cost less than its estimated £500,000 and was funded by the European LIFE Nature fund, Scottish Natural Heritage and the National Trust for Scotland.

 

Indulge your creative side with a handmade treat on Sunday 15 June at the National Trust for Scotland’s Angus Folk Museum in Glamis.

A special selection of handmade products and produce ranging from woodcrafts, handmade soaps and jewelry to delicious homemade jams and chutneys will be on sale at the event next weekend.

Tastebuds will also get a treat at the barbeque which will be fired up especially for Father’s Day.

Property Manager Fiona Caldwell said:

“Scotland has a strong creative tradition and we celebrate some of that at the Folk Museum. The sale is a great chance to check out the museum, learn more about the fascinating history of our local area and pick up an unusual and hand-crafted trinket or two at the same time. If you’ve been stuck for that unusual Father’s Day gift, there could well be come inspiring options on sale here.”

The produce sale takes place on Sunday 15 June and admission is free, both to the sale and the Angus Folk Museum.
 

If you are looking for inspiration on how to make this Father’s Day extra special, look no further than the National Trust for Scotland.

There are loads of fantastic events going on at the charity’s properties across Scotland on Sunday 15 June for dads and their families to enjoy together.

Take a trip back in time at Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire with Medieval Moments – a fantastic chance to discover what it would take to be a knight of the realm.

Drink in the dramatic views during a Land Rover safari in the stunning setting of Glencoe, or get close to nature with their ranger-led walks at Culzean Country Park, Ayrshire.

Does your dad love to shop? Treat him to a homemade treasure at the craft sale at Angus Folk Museum, Glamis near Forfar.

If food is the way to your dad’s heart, the Trust can help here too. With many fantastic tearooms and restaurants all over Scotland, you are sure to find the perfect venue for lunch. The hearty fare at Pollok House is sure to go down well.

Many properties provide the perfect setting to spend quality time with your dad. Why not throw around a Frisbee at Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire, or for the more adventurous, take to the seas at Kintail on a sea kayaking course.

Director of Commercial Services and Marketing, Henk Berits said:

“There is so much going on at the National Trust for Scotland, and so much of it on our doorsteps. Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to get out and explore that property you have passed often, but never visited before. Many of our properties have special events organised for Father’s Day, so you are sure to find something to make your dad’s day special – and you’ll be helping to support the important conservation work that is the lifeblood of our charity.

“And of course, we offer the perfect present for any doting dad – membership to the National Trust for Scotland costs £5 each month for a family, giving access to over 300 properties across throughout Scotland and the UK and helping to support our efforts to protect and preserve Scotland’s cultural and natural heritage.”
 

Conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland, embraced the digital age today as it launched a series of podcasts to take visitors on scenic walks round some of its most iconic properties.

The Culross podcast is the first in a series of six walking podcasts available for free download at www.nts.org.uk/Multimedia . They have been recorded on location at Trust properties with contributions from property staff, gardeners, rangers and volunteers.

The podcasts are designed to encourage visitors to enjoy walking at Trust properties and include a wildlife walk at Glencoe, a wander around the tranquil Priorwood and Harmony gardens in Melrose, a woodland walk at the Hermitage, a walk around the wider estate at Crathes Castle and a stroll around the medieval streets of Culross – one of the finest surviving examples of a 16th and 17th century Scottish burgh.

Marketing Manager Clare Willis said:

“Many of our properties are ideal for walks and are open all year round. Joining a guided tour or a ranger-led walk is a great way to learn more, but it’s just not convenient for every visitor. Free podcasts give us a great opportunity to highlight the very best of the Trust’s properties. Whether it’s a secluded spot in a beautiful garden, an impressive mountain vista or a fascinating fact about village life, there is something extra in there for our visitors. We hope the downloads will be used by visitors of all ages who want to get even more out of their time at a Trust property.”

Longstanding Trust volunteer and keen walker, Elizabeth McLeod (70) helped pilot the podcasts. She said:

“The Culross podcast was fascinating to listen to and very easy to use. I found out some very interesting facts about the village too. For example I never knew that the central area of the Back Causeway was reserved for the wealthy, whilst the commoner had to walk in the gutter. I’ll be careful where I walk from now on!”

The Trust teamed up with Berwick based Webcast Productions to produce the podcasts, which will be hosted on the Trust’s website either to listen to online or to download onto an MP3 player. They are presented by Keith Allan, one time BBC Radio presenter and reporter who has worked for BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service and Radio Scotland.  

One of the most exciting and unusual new gardens ever created by the National Trust for Scotland is due to be opened on Tuesday 3 June.

Miller’s Yard: Garden of Wonders is situated to the rear of the Hugh Miller Museum in Church Street, Cromarty, once the home of Hugh Miller (1802-1856), the renowned geologist and writer.

Events include a floral pageant performed by Cromarty Primary School’s Primary 3 and 4 and unveiling an extraordinary sculpture in scrap metal by the highly-regarded artist Helen Denerly.

Museum manager Martin Gostwick commented:

“The garden is small, only about 12 metres by 5, but packs a lot into it, particular of the arts and crafts and science which Miller made his own. I think he would be proud of it.

“The garden complements and completes the adjoining museum which we opened in 2004. We hope it will be a place of contemplation and inspiration, as well as of events like music-making and story-telling.”

The Trust would like to thank the trustees of the neighbouring Cromarty Courthouse Museum who kindly allowed the contractors access over their ground to the site during construction.
 

A species of newt so rare that it is protected by both UK and EU law is thriving under the care of the National Trust for Scotland.

Staff and volunteers from the conservation charity carried out a survey of pond life at Culzean Castle and Country Park and discovered that Great Crested Newts are doing very well there.

The amphibians, which are the UK’s biggest newt and grow up to 6 inches long, are found at only two National Trust for Scotland sites – Culzean in Ayrshire and the Pineapple in Falkirk. The newts were introduced to Culzean ten years ago and they appear to be thriving in pollution-free and fish-free ponds that are their preferred habitat.

Conservation staff at Culzean have created a haven for the amphibians, with dozens of the species being spotted over the course of the two-day survey.

Deirdre Mackinnon, head ranger at Culzean said:

“It’s great news that these newts are doing so well at Culzean. Our rangers and volunteers dug a new pond only last year and the newts have made it home. This type of conservation work is crucial to the future survival of some of Scotland and the UK’s rarest species and we will continue to strive to save those species for future generations.”

“As a conservation charity, we are always pleased to hear that a rare or endangered species is doing well. We’re lucky to have some fantastic plant and animal life at our properties all over Scotland."  

Experience the magnificent sounds and sights of the dawn chorus at the Hill of Tarvit on Thursday 29 May 2008.

Our feathered alarm clocks are out in force again as the birds defend their territories and try to find a mate. Early risers will be treated to the spectacular song that begins soon after sunrise.

Property Manager Ruth Burgess says:

“Hill of Tarvit is home to many breeds of birds who all burst into song at dawn during the summer months. On our guided tour, you will hear for yourself the wonderful sound of the dawn chorus and get to know the songs of the many different species.”

The walk takes place from 5am till 6:30am and costs £7 per person. The price includes a hot drink and a light breakfast snack after the walk. To book call 0844 493 2185.
 

The Zambian High Commissioner His Excellency Anderson Chibwa comes to the David Livingstone Centre on Saturday 24 May to mark the centenary of the Chitambo Mission and Hospital in Zambia.

The mission was founded close to the spot where David Livingstone died by Scottish missionary doctors, making the David Livingstone Centre which is managed by the National Trust for Scotland charity the perfect location for the celebration.

Since its establishment, generations of Scottish medics, including at least two Livingstone’s descendants have worked at the Zambian hospital, providing local people with healthcare services.

The celebration, organised by the Scottish National Memorial to David Livingstone Trust, marks the contribution made to the Chitambo community by these Scottish medics. Attendees will be treated to talks about modern Zambia, as well as demonstrations of African music and song.

Fundraising group ‘Penicuik for Africa’ will also be in attendance. The group raised an impressive £20,000 to buy and equip an ambulance to benefit the Chitambo community. The Toyota Landcruiser is currently being refitted in Lusaka.

National Trust for Scotland Chief Executive Mark Adderley is also coming along to the celebration. He said:

“It’s fantastic to be involved in these celebrations. Stories like these really bring Livingstone’s legacy to life. It also brings home the importance of the work of the National Trust for Scotland and the Scottish National Memorial to David Livingstone Trust in telling his story, so that modern Scots can truly appreciate the importance of Livingstone’s achievements.

“The events today are not only a cause for celebration for Chitambo Mission and Hospital, but for the David Livingstone Centre too and it’s a great honour to welcome these esteemed guests.”
 

Take a twilight tour of Leith Hall garden in Huntly on the evening of Wednesday 28 May and see the garden in a whole new light.

The tour is a great chance to get inspired at the start of the gardening season and learn more about the changes going on at the garden. Head gardener, Toby Loveday will be on hand to answer any questions. Visitors can round the evening off with delicious tea and cake at the lovely Leith Hall tearoom.

Toby said:

“An evening visit to the garden is very interesting, giving visitors a different perspective on plants. Fragrance is much more noticeable at dusk and this really adds a different dimension to the garden.”

The event takes place on Wednesday 28 May from 19.30 – 21.00 and costs £5 for adults and £3 for concessions. Please call 0844 493 2175 to book.
 

Around 350 passengers from the Spirit of Adventure cruise ship will arrive in Orkney on Saturday 31 May.

Kirkwall is the first port of call on a week-long Scottish cruise operated by the National Trust for Scotland. It is also the first time Spirit of Adventure has called at Orkney.

Passengers will have the opportunity to explore some of Orkney’s rich archaeological heritage both by coach and by foot, as well as visiting the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness.

Entertainment Manager, Cameron Stout, said:

"Our Scottish cruise sold out in record time this year and I am particularly excited about coming back to Orkney and showing off the highlights of my home town! It will also be a great opportunity to stock up on Orkney fudge, a real favourite on the cruise!"

In the evening passengers will be joined by the Peat Fire Tales group who will entertain them with tales of Orkney’s folklore through music, song and dance.

The ship will arrive at Kirkwall at 1pm and will depart at 11pm, when she will head off to Fair Isle.
 

Primary pupils from across Fife are being urged to get creative to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Pleasure Grounds garden at the National Trust for Scotland’s Falkland Palace.

Internationally renowned designer Percy Cane created the spectacular garden in 1948. Falkland Palace is said to be one of the most complete Percy Cane designs in the country and the sole example in the care of the conservation charity.

Youngsters have been asked to make a work of art which reflects or is inspired by the garden. Mary Queen of Scots visited Falkland Palace in the 16th century, so pupils could choose to illustrate how the gardens would have been presented then, before Cane’s makeover. Falkland is famous for its royal connections, especially with the Stewart family.

Entries will be judged by an external expert horticulturalist and an artist and all the artwork will feature in an exhibition at the town hall on 25th and 26th of October 2008.

Sonia Ferras-Mana, property manager at Falkland said:

“This is an important anniversary for the Palace. Our gardens are iconic and world-renowned. We wanted to use this event to inspire local young people, get them interested in the history that is on their doorstep and to encourage their creativity. I know we will get some fantastic entries and it will make for an excellent exhibition later in the year.”

To enter, pick up an application form at Falkland Palace or call 0844 493 2186. The closing date for entries is 1st October 2008.
 

Threave welcomed ravens back to its rafters this spring - for the second year in a row.

The black birds, which are related to crows and magpies, first appeared in the Great Hall at Threave Castle, which is owned by the National Trust for Scotland conservation charity and managed by Historic Scotland, in 2007. The hall was closed off to protect the nesting site and the birds successfully fledged four chicks.

This year was also productive - three chicks have now fledged and the Great Hall is open to visitors once again.

Rhiannon Hatfield, National Trust for Scotland ranger at Threave said:

“We are so pleased that the ravens returned to Threave this year. They are a pretty unusual visitor and the fact that they have bred successfully both times is great news. It bodes well for a return next year.”

While the ravens have departed, there is still plenty of wildlife to see around Threave Island and from the five National Trust for Scotland bird hides located along the River Dee. Grey herons, shovellers, goosander, kingfisher, oystercatcher and otters can all be spotted by patient visitors.
 

Burns-inspired poetry gets an airing at the National Trust for Scotland’s Culzean Castle this coming weekend, as the annual Burns an’ a’ that festival is underway.

On Sunday 25 May, visitors are invited to bring a picnic, sit on the lawn in the beautiful surroundings of Culzean Castle and enjoy the readings of inspiring poems produced by the Makar Press, a group of Ayrshire poets following in the tradition of Burns.

Administrative Assistant Deidre Mackinnon says:

“It is very entertaining! In the past the visitors have been given a large list of topics from which to choose and the poets read their relevant poem on that subject. The poems range from very comical to poignant or evocative, the subjects are easy to relate to and there is something for everyone.”

The event lasts from 12:00pm till 2:00pm and standard park admission prices apply.
 

Puffins on Staffa, the National Trust for Scotland’s world-famous island nature reserve, are using visitors to protect them from attacks by aggressive gulls.

The birds’ behaviour was highlighted by the skipper of a local tourist boat, during a recent visit by Trust wildlife experts.

Davy Kirkpatrick, who runs tours to the island, noticed that puffins seemed to wait until visitors were close to nesting burrows before coming in to land. The proximity of people appeared to discourage the anti-social behaviour of gulls, allowing the puffins safe passage to their burrows.

There are more than 400 pairs of birds spending the summer on Staffa. The island is uninhabited by man, making it a popular and safe summer home for many seabirds. It is an ideal time to visit, as there are plenty of opportunities to spot puffins on land, sea and in the air.

Puffins, which form long-term bonds with their breeding partners, come to the island every year from far out in the Atlantic Ocean where they spend their winters.

Mr Lindsay Mackinlay, Nature Conservation Adviser with the Trust said:

“This is very interesting behaviour from the puffins. They appear to be making the most of the distraction caused by people to prevent being attacked by gulls. Visitors need not worry - the gulls pose no threat to people. In fact gulls are pretty scared of people and that’s why the puffins’ strategy is so effective.

“Now is the perfect time to visit Staffa to see puffins, since they are in the midst of the nesting season. It’s a great opportunity to see these lovely birds up close and in a totally unspoilt and stunning environment.”
 

The National Trust for Scotland charity today offered its wholehearted support for this week’s Committee of Inquiry on Crofting recommendations, which will be debated in the Scottish Parliament tomorrow, Thursday 15 May.

The 17 month-long inquiry, chaired by Professor Mark Shucksmith, was described on Monday by Michael Russell MSP, Minister for Environment as “the most significant report on crofting for the past half century.”

For its part, the Trust views the Shucksmith Inquiry’s wide-ranging recommendations as bold and inspirational, for the benefit of crofting and rural communities in Scotland.

The Trust owns six crofting estates including Balmacara, Torridon and Fair Isle, amounting to over 200 registered crofts and with this first-hand knowledge and experience, the charity made several major contributions to the Shucksmith Inquiry. Many of its recommendations, such as reviewing the assignation of crofts, the need for crofters to reside on or near their croft and to work the land, and the review of the individual crofter’s right to buy their croft and associated de-crofting, have been taken on board and included in the committee’s final report.

Iain Turnbull, property manager at Balmacara, is the Trust’s leading authority on crofting issues. He said:

“The report offers a good, clear vision for the future of crofting and has certainly attempted to tackle some of the major issues head on, which is refreshing.

“There are some excellent elements here, including the proposals to devolve responsibility for the governance of crofting to a more local level, encouragement of traditional crofting land uses and possible restrictions on the right to buy land and de-crofting. ”

Shucksmith states that crofting has an important contribution to make towards sustaining a well-populated and well-managed countryside and emphasises the need for crofting to be well-regulated and governed in the public interest. The Trust warmly welcomes this stance, especially the inquiry’s emphasis on crofting communities being in greater control of their own destiny.

Mr Turnbull added:

“This is a much improved vision of crofting as it clearly states the need to have crofts occupied and used for their original purpose. We hope that the Scottish Government moves quickly to achieve this new vision.”

The Trust also welcomes the inquiry’s support for access to affordable housing in crofting areas, encouraging newcomers into crofting and the need to address the shortage of available crofts. Such measures are essential in bringing under-used or un-used crofts back into use.

The Shucksmith committee recommends the abolition of the Crofters' Commission and the creation of a new Federation of Local Crofting Boards that would “regulate crofting in the interests of sustainable crofting communities”. While, this may go some way to help prevent unsustainable development and encourage a balance between individual and wider community rights, the Trust is concerned that the proposed abolition of the Crofters’ Commission may lead to the loss of much valuable knowledge and experience.

If a crofter lives on or near his croft and is working the land, Shucksmith recommends there be no change to the fundamental rights of crofters that have existed for well over a century, such as security of tenure, succession and fair rents. The Trust strongly supports this concept and recommends that all crofts should be occupied by an active resident crofter.

The aim to have all crofts in the hands of resident, active crofters within a generation is an excellent target, set within a realistic timeframe. Accordingly, the Trust is also supportive of the proposal to introduce a ‘residency burden’ to croft house sites from 12 May 2008, a move which would help protect crofts for the future.
 

Residents on Canna, the National Trust for Scotland’s island property, are preparing to welcome chickens back to the island after an absence of three years.

Chickens were removed from Canna while a project to eradicate rats was underway. As that work draws to an end, the Trust is helping islanders prepare for the return of poultry, providing new chicken coops that are due for delivery today. The first chickens will arrive in the next few weeks.

The project to remove rats began in 2005, after the conservation charity decided it must act to protect Canna’s internationally important seabird colonies. Predation by rats on the eggs and chicks of the ground-nesting seabirds was seriously affecting their population.

It was important that poultry were not on the island while the Trust was trying to eradicate rats as scraps of food left out for the chickens provide rats with a ready food supply, which would have hindered attempts to eradicate them.

Richard Luxmoore, Senior Nature Conservation Adviser, said:

“The return of chickens to the island is only possible now that our work to eradicate rats is coming to an end. We are very grateful to the islanders who have foregone their fresh eggs for the past few years while we undertook this important project to protect Canna’s seabird population. A final monitoring visit is underway now.”

The project to protect Canna’s seabirds, funded by the European LIFE Nature fund and Scottish Natural Heritage, ends later this month. The last confirmed rat sighting was in February 2006 – more than 2 years ago.
 

The success of the National Trust for Scotland charity’s Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, which was officially opened last month, was confirmed last night (Wednesday 7 May) at a prestigious award ceremony in London.

The centre's ground-breaking hand-held battlefield guides took the top award in the 'Use of Technology' category at the Museums and Heritage Awards for Excellence.

Developed by Inverness-based Zolk-C - specialist providers of technological learning solutions for the tourism and heritage industry - the battlefield guide is the most innovative of its kind currently in existence.

Combining the capabilities of a personal digital assistant (PDA) with satellite technology, the GPS-triggered electronic guide allows Culloden sightseers to experience the bloody battle of Bonnie Prince Charlie via multi-media information, such as video and audio clips and fact-file data.

The hand-held device provides character accounts, archaeological evidence, and real-life sound effects which are triggered automatically as visitors walk across the historic moor to create an interactive experience, which does not detract from the authenticity of the site.

The device also comes equipped with a menu - which changes depending on the visitor’s location on the battlefield - to provide additional options for history enthusiasts.

The Trust's Culloden project co-ordinator and Countryside and Islands Group Manager for the North East and Highlands, Alexander Bennett said:

"This is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved in the Culloden project. We always knew that technology presented a real opportunity to bring the battle to life for our visitors. It has been a great experience working with Zolk-C, as a young and local company, to develop cutting-edge technology that is truly world-leading and adds so much to the visitor's experience here at Culloden."

Zolk-C Director of Business Development Bronwen Robinson, said:

"We are absolutely delighted that our work has been recognised on such a prestigious, national platform. By designing, building, and deploying the new technology, we put a lot of hard work into creating something that has not been done anywhere else in the world. It is truly ground-breaking.

“At the National Trust for Scotland’s Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, our work has already enhanced the route to gaining insight into real Scottish history.”

The £9 million centre has also been shortlisted in this year's Royal Institute of British Architects awards, which are also announced later this month.
 

Inverewe Garden played host to some glamorous visitors this week, as vintage Rolls Royce and Bentley cars rolled into the car park.

The Rolls Royce Owners Club stopped in at the National Trust for Scotland’s garden as they drove from Skye to Dundonnel.

The veteran and vintage vehicles were much admired by staff and visitors and looked even more impressive against the stunning backdrop of Inverewe.

There was evidence that these old and exquisite cars are moving with the times too. The oldest specimen proudly displayed its satellite navigation system on the dashboard.

Property manager Roy Dowsett was delighted to welcome this unusual delegation. He said:

“We only had an hour’s notice of the visit, but one never refuses a lady – especially not the Spirit of Ecstasy.”
 

A rare species of liverwort which is found in only a few dozen sites across the UK has been discovered on Ben Lomond.

Autumn Flapwort (Jamesoniella autumnali) was spotted at the National Trust for Scotland property, as the conservation charity held a moss identification training event. The plant is classed as ‘nationally scarce’ and was found in the oak woodland beside the West Highland Way.

According to British moss expert Gordon Rothero, who led the training event, the find is the first in Stirlingshire for over half a century. The plant was named after Scottish botanist, William Jameson and is more commonly found in the sessile oak woods of western Scotland.

Mr Lindsay Mackinlay, Nature Conservation Adviser with the Trust said:

“As moss finds go, this is pretty special. We are lucky at the National Trust for Scotland to have many excellent naturalists and we are always working to improve their knowledge and better understand the natural treasures that live on our properties across the country. This discovery shows us that our management of these woodlands is conserving the rare species that live there.

"It was great to find such a rare specimen in our Ben Lomond oak woods after fifty years. We know that the woods there are teeming with fascinating plant and animal life and we hope we'll find even more rare species in these woodlands, to capture the imagination of all who visit Ben Lomond.”
 

Green-fingered and green-minded people who want to make a difference to the environment in the Grampian area are invited to come along to a conservation volunteering taster day at Castle Fraser this weekend.

The event, organised by the National Trust for Scotland’s Grampian Conservation Volunteers, takes place at Castle Fraser near Inverurie on Sunday 11th May at 9.30am.

Potential volunteers will get involved in hands on conservation work at the castle, working alongside other enthusiastic volunteers and ranger service staff to help rebuild well-trodden paths around the property.

The group hopes that the taster day will whet people’s appetites for conservation volunteering and encourage more people to get involved with their exciting programme of conservation work. The summer programme includes bracken cutting in the Old Wood of Drum at Drum Castle, working with the gardener at Pitmedden Gardens, taking part in a drystone dyking course at Craigievar Castle and enjoying weekends away at Ben Lawers and the Mar Lodge Estate.

Conservation Volunteers' Co-ordinator for the National Trust for Scotland, Julie Bond said:

“We are all thinking of ways to make a positive impact on the environment and conservation volunteering is a fun way of doing that. As a conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland is keen to offer people the chance to get involved. In fact, volunteers are absolutely crucial to our conservation work.

“Our Grampian group is very active and enthusiastic and is making a huge difference to the local environment. I hope lots of people come along to the taster day to learn more about the activities on offer and just how rewarding it is to get out into the fresh air, make new friends and conserve our beautiful countryside and gardens.”
 

The healing power of plants is set to be revealed at a special event to mark Herbal Medicine Awareness Week at Pitmedden Garden, Ellon on Saturday 17 May at 11am.

Visitors can find out more about herbal medicine and take a guided tour of Pitmedden’s fascinating herb garden for free.

Leading herbalists Erica Hollis and Alison Turton will be on hand to advise visitors on the best herbs to deal with ailments and give a fascinating insight into the world of herbal medicine.

Property Manager Susan Burgess said:

“An increasing interest in herbal medicine has meant that more people want to find out about different herbs and their uses. We are lucky to have an excellent herb garden at Pitmedden and it’s great to give visitors the chance to learn that there’s more to our plants than just being pretty to look at.”

Usual admission charges will apply for entry to the garden. Bookings can be made by calling 0844 493 2177.
 

Fyvie Castle in Turriff is recovering from a shock this afternoon (Friday 2 May) after it was hit by lightning.

Staff heard a loud bang at around 3pm as a thunderstorm raged across the Turriff area.

No-one was harmed in the incident. There does not appear to be any structural damage to the castle but a telephone box was blown off the wall, possibly as a result of an electricity surge. The property is currently without power.

Property Manager Robert Lovie was on the upper level of the castle when he heard the noise. He said:

“I heard a really loud bang, like an explosion. Thankfully all our staff and visitors are fine and there doesn’t seem to be any structural damage to the castle. We don’t have power right now, but our phones are up and running again.

“We’ll be working hard to get back to normal as soon as we can, but we’d ask any visitors planning to pop in tomorrow to call before setting off.”
 

The National Trust for Scotland charity pledged today to make its gardens peat-free from 2011 to help protect peatland in Scotland and abroad - a move which will not only help protect this important habitat but could also help combat climate change.

Guidelines which apply to all of the Trust’s 129 properties aim to end the use of peat in Trust gardens by 2010 and in plant sales by 2011 and have been issued by the conservation charity to its property staff. The move is in line with UK government policy, which aims for 90 per cent of all materials used to grow plants to be peat-free by 2010.

Areas of peatland are in serious decline across the UK and Europe, particularly in the lowland areas. The UK and Scotland in particular, is the world centre of distribution for temperate peatlands and represent important habitats for plant and insect life. Archaeologists also value peatlands for their ability to preserve organic remains, including their important pollen record.

Peatlands store huge amounts of carbon that was absorbed by the plants from which they are formed. Scotland’s peat stores more than twice as much carbon as all of the forests in Europe. The destruction of this peat for gardening and through drainage releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere - a process that contributes to climate change.

Richard Luxmoore, Senior Nature Adviser with the National Trust for Scotland said:

“Peatlands are increasingly rare and we must do what we can to preserve these important habitats for future generations. They are vital habitats for many distinctive and internationally rare animals and plants and it’s important the Trust highlights this. Indeed, this isn’t the only reason for taking steps to preserve them. Evidence suggests that peatlands have a part to play in combating climate change, by capturing and storing carbon dioxide that would otherwise go into the atmosphere.”

The National Trust for Scotland advises on over 60 gardens and designed landscapes. Many, such as Inverewe and Threave, are internationally renowned.

Jan Haenraets, the Trust’s Head of Gardens and Designed Landscapes added:

“In recent years, our gardeners have started to move away from the use of peat and our peat reduction strategy has further contributed towards achieving the UK government targets. The new peat policy underlines our commitment and we will continue to encourage professional and amateur gardeners to use peat-free materials. The Trust will also work with commercial suppliers to provide peat-free products and strive towards the plant sales without use of peat.”
 

The National Trust for Scotland is gearing up to celebrate the beauty of some of its most popular, unusual and remote gardens on its Garden’s Day - Sunday 11 May.

Across Scotland, 26 National Trust for Scotland gardens are getting involved, putting on special ‘ask the gardener’ events and taking visitors on a tour of the unusual or interesting features at their gardens. The events are organised as part of the Scotland’s Gardens Scheme which supports gardens across the country.

Visitors can quiz gardening staff about how to make the most of their own gardens, learn more about composting and even pick up some seeds and plants to take home.

Head of Gardens at the National Trust for Scotland, Jan Haenraets said:

“The Trust manages some of Scotland’s most stunning gardens, with beautiful plant collections and fascinating histories and all are expertly managed by our dedicated gardeners. Gardens Day gives visitors the opportunity to get behind the scenes, learn more about the history of our gardens and what goes into maintaining them.”

For a full list of events, please visit the events section of our website.
 

Budding builders can get hands-on experience of drystane walling techniques, thanks to a series National Trust for Scotland workshops at Threave Estate, Dumfries and Galloway.

Organised by experts in the traditional building technique at the Trust, the drystane workshops take place every month and are open to builders with all levels of experience, but especially suit beginners.

The first event in April was very popular. Participants were shown the principles of this traditional craft from qualified instructors before putting their knowledge to the test with a section of wall that needed re-built at the Mains of Kelton farm.

The next events are scheduled for Wednesday 14th May, 18th June and 16th July and cost £30 for the day.

Rhiannon Hatfield, ranger at Threave said:

“Drystane is a traditional building skill that’s important in the Dumfries and Galloway area and across Scotland too. We think it’s important to keep these skills alive – that’s why we’re passing the knowledge of our expert builders on. Hopefully it will help amateur builders to maintain drystane on their property and keep drystane walls standing across Dumfries and Galloway for generations to come.”

For more information or for booking please contact the Dumfries and Galloway Countryside team on 0844 493 2244.
 

It will be easier to get to the National Trust for Scotland’s most-visited properties by bus, bike or boots this summer, thanks to travel tips unveiled by the charity today.

Information on how to travel to some of Scotland’s most beautiful and historic settings - without cars - went online at www.nts.org.uk today. It is intended to encourage visitors to leave the car at home when setting off to visit Trust properties.

While some properties are fairly remote, many can be accessed by public transport, on bikes or by foot – or a combination. The project was led for the Trust by 18-year-old ProjectScotland volunteer Alice Macneil and her important environmentally-focussed work is something Mark Adderley, Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland is understandably proud of.

He said:

“As a conservation charity, we want to encourage people to consider how they can cut down on their car use. That’s particularly relevant at the moment with the concerns about fuel supply.

“It’s possible to get to lots of our sites with buses, bikes and boots. Frequently it requires little more effort and yet it makes for a better environment for Scotland. It also opens up Trust properties to people who may be put off from visiting because they don’t have access to a car.

“These initial properties are just the start for this initiative as we’ll be working to provide alternative travel information for all of our 129 properties over time. That way, visitors can make informed decisions about the available transport and choose what’s best for them and the environment.”

Ben Notley, who manages the Trust’s North Perthshire properties – Killiecrankie, Dunkeld and the Hermitage said:

“We’re always working to promote environmentally-friendly travel and tourism at our properties in Perthshire - in fact Killiecrankie has a gold award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme. We’re pleased to have been involved in the first stage of the project. We already get lots of visitors who walk to our properties and I hope that we’ll see even more visitors making the journey to this beautiful area by public transport, on bikes or by foot.”

The initiative, which includes alternative access to properties such as Threave Garden in Dumfries and Galloway and Inverewe Garden in Ross-shire has been prepared with the support of Sustrans – the UK sustainable transport charity. Sustrans provided advice on cycling routes and have highlighted National Trust for Scotland properties on their cycle maps which are available at www.sustrans.org.uk.

19 properties were included in the ongoing project. To access the information at www.nts.org.uk, click on the property, then on the ‘Getting there’ link.

1. Threave, Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway
2. Newhailes, Musselburgh, East Lothian
3. Culzean Castle, Maybole, South Ayrshire
4. Number 28, Charlotte Square, Edinburgh
5. The Georgian House, Charlotte Square, Edinburgh
6. Gladstone’s Land, Royal Mile, Edinburgh
7. Pollok House, Glasgow
8. Drum Castle, Drumoak, by Banchory, Aberdeenshire
9. Mar Lodge Estate, Braemar, Aberdeenshire
10. Castle Fraser, Sauchen, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire
11. Killiecrankie, Pitlochry, Perthshire
12. Dunkeld, Perthshire
13. The Hermitage, near Dunkeld, Perthshire
14. Brodick Castle, Isle of Arran
15. Inverewe Garden, Poolewe, Ross-shire
16. Culross, Fife
17. Hill of Tarvit, Cupar, Fife
18. Falkland Palace, Falkland, Cupar, Fife
19. The Hill House, Helensburgh
 

The success of the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, which was officially opened last week, continues with the news that it has been shortlisted for another prestigious award.

The £9 million centre has already been shortlisted in this year’s Royal Institute of British Architects awards.

Now, it has been announced that the electronic, hand-held battlefield guides which have been introduced at the centre are nominated in the ‘Use of Technology’ category at the Museums and Heritage Awards for Excellence which take place in London on 8 May.

Using satellite technology, the device automatically provides information on what happened during the battle at strategic points on the battlefield, through a combination of audio and video clips and fact-file data.

Developed by Inverness-based Zolk C who are specialist providers of technological learning solutions, the battlefield guide is the most innovative of its kind currently in existence.

The Trust's Culloden project co-ordinator and Countryside and Islands Group Manager for the North East and Highlands, Alexander Bennett said:

“Technology is central to the whole concept of our new visitor centre and revamped battlefield at Culloden. We knew that combining excellent content with the latest technology could really help us achieve our aim to bring the battle to life for our visitors. It is great to receive recognition for these efforts.”

Zolk C Director of Business Development Bronwen Robinson, said:

“At the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, our work has already enhanced the route to gaining insight into real Scottish history and the possibilities for application in other tourist, heritage sites and attractions are endless.

“This development definitely has the potential to revolutionise the visitor’s experience.”

Paul Savage, Zolk C Managing Director, added:

“By designing, building, and deploying this solution, we have created something that has not been done anywhere else in the world. It is truly ground-breaking. We feel that our technology will allow interpreters to communicate with visitors on a whole new level.”
 

Conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland, has welcomed proposals from the Scottish Government to extend Special Protection Areas (SPAs) into the sea at some of Scotland’s most important seabird colonies.

Currently, birds are protected on land at their colonies, but actually spend the majority of their lives at sea. The proposals announced today could extend SPAs around the colonies into the sea, creating a protected zone of up to 4 kilometres in radius.

Conservation experts at the National Trust for Scotland say the move is a welcome first step in improving the protection of seabirds.

Scotland is home to 45% of all of breeding seabirds breeding in the European Union.

Around 20% of all Scottish seabirds are based at Trust properties, including seven which are proposed to be included in the extended scheme - St Kilda, Fair Isle, Canna, Mingulay, St Abbs Head, Hermaness and Fetlar.

Richard Luxmoore, Senior Nature Conservation Adviser for the National Trust for Scotland said:

“Scotland is an outstandingly important habitat for seabirds and the Trust plays host to many hundreds of thousands of birds at our island properties throughout the breeding season. We welcome plans to improve the protection available to seabirds, their colonies and their wider habitats. Today’s consultation is a step in the right direction. In the future, we would be keen to see feeding grounds treated in a similar way.

“In the Trust, we closely monitor the colonies on our islands to ensure that they remain in favourable condition, so that birds continue to breed and the population is maintained. This information will help us advise on the measures necessary to protect the birds within these newly proposed SPAs.”
 

For six year old Philip Nicol and eleven year old Scott Hay, today was a day they will remember for the rest of their lives. The youngsters opened the new visitor centre at Culloden on the 262nd anniversary of the Battle of Culloden, 16th April.

Philip and Scott are descendants of soldiers who fought at the battle and they cut the ribbon, declaring the National Trust for Scotland’s £9 million centre open.

Philip from Inverness and Scott from Kincraig were chosen from more than 30 entrants who traced their family tree in a competition that attracted interest from as far afield as Canada and the USA.
Speaking at the official launch, there’s no doubt today didn’t disappoint.

Philip said: “My dad has been researching our family tree since I was born and I’m really interested in who our ancestors were.

“I love visiting the Culloden battlefield and it’s my birthday tomorrow so this is a fantastic present for me.”

Philip is descended from both sides of the battle. An examination of his family tree reveals three brothers from the Farquharson family of Allargue in Aberdeenshire, two of whom were officers with the Jacobite army, while their brother fought with the Government troops.

Scott added: “I was amazed to hear that I’d won and I’m delighted to be involved in opening the new centre.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the history of the Jacobites and I found researching my family tree really interesting.”

Scott’s ancestor at Culloden was William Hay from Glenbucket in Aberdeenshire, who fought under Major General John Gordon of Glenbucket. William Hay is thought to have been present when Glenbucket’s men met Prince Charles Edward Stuart in Moidart, the day before he set out to raise his standard at Glenfinnan.

Education, learning and young people have been put at the forefront of the Trust’s Culloden project and according to Shonaig Macpherson, Chairman of the charity, the new centre and exhibition aim to dispel many of the myths surrounding the battle and inspire youngsters like Philip and Scott to explore Scotland’s history and rich heritage. Speaking from today’s official opening she said,

“Seeing the effect the new centre is having on children here today is very exciting. One of the things that became clear to us over the years was that many people still believed that Culloden was a battle between Scotland and England.

“We felt it was important to take a fresh approach to telling the story, placing it in context and explaining the effects the defeat of the Jacobites had on the course of history.

“Our search for young people with ancestors who fought at the battle also vividly illustrated that Scottish families were deeply divided by the conflict and it’s particularly symbolic that one of the young people helping open the centre today has ancestors who fought on both sides.

“We also wanted to dispel any of the romantic ideals that often surround the story of Culloden and demonstrate just how brutal the combat really was.

"We’ve put the visitor at the very heart of the battle in the new immersion film which is screened across the four walls of the theatre the two sides facing each other across the room until they charge and meet in combat.

”The Culloden project is an important milestone for the Trust and is exactly the sort of work we, as a major heritage conservation and environment charity, can achieve for the benefit of the nation. This is a proud day.”

The largest construction project ever undertaken by the National Trust for Scotland, the new centre, designed by Gareth Hoskins Architects and built by Morrison Construction, uses state-of-the-art technology.

The Trust raised £1.8 million from a public appeal for Culloden and funding for the rest of the £9.3 million project was provided by the Scottish Government (£3.75 million), the European Regional Development Fund (£2.4 million), HIE Inverness & East Highland (£350,000) and Bòrd na Gàidhlig (£200,000).

Trust Chief Executive Mark Adderley said:

“This has been a very important project for the Trust and one which would not have been possible without the generous help of many. I want to thank everyone who has contributed time, money and expertise in helping us deliver a world-class facility at Culloden.”

Minister for Culture Linda Fabiani said:

“Scotland has a rich heritage which we must not only preserve but also understand. Culloden represents a significant time in our history and I am glad that the centre is placing a real focus on education and learning to share these events with young people.

"I am also pleased to see the inclusion of Gaelic in the centre and the real efforts that have been made to increase the profile of the language.

“The Culloden centre will be a real cultural asset which I am sure will attract visitors from around Scotland and indeed around the world.”

Dennis Malone, Chief Executive of the Highlands and Islands Partnership Programme, which administers the European Regional Development Fund in the area, said:

“It’s great that the European Regional Development Fund has been able to make a significant contribution to the development of the new Culloden battlefield and visitor centre.

"By investing in quality, the centre will help generate economic benefits for the Highlands and Islands for many years to come. Congratulations to the National Trust for Scotland for their vision and commitment in bringing this project to fruition.”

James Gibbs, area manager for the Inner Moray Firth with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), said:

“I’m thrilled that HIE is among those who enabled this terrific asset to open at Culloden today. The battlefield is recognised far and wide for the part it plays in British and European history and it’s absolutely fitting that the Highlands, as a dynamic and forward-looking region, is able to interpret the site through this world-class visitor centre.”

Bòrd na Gàidhlaig Chief Executive Kenneth Murray said:

“The Bòrd is pleased to see so much Gaelic being used, displayed and mentioned throughout the new centre. This is fitting in a historical sense as well as providing a sense of place in the new Scotland.

“It is also an example of best practice in the use of the language; if Gaelic is to grow in the years ahead we need it to be used in practical ways such as at Culloden.

“The centre is a great asset, not just to the local community but throughout the country and we look forward to seeing even more Gaelic as the centre develops in the future.”

Gaelic features strongly in the new centre, with Gaelic text and music playing a prominent part in the exhibition, reflecting the large amount of Gaelic speakers who fought on both sides of the battle.

The search winners and local school children were also joined at today’s official opening by Dr Tony Pollard, from BBC Television’s “Two Men in a Trench” and Dr Nick Barratt, of BBC’s “Who Do You Think You Are” who was part of the judging panel for the search for descendants to open the centre.

The new interactive exhibition, designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates, follows the progress of real-life characters through the years leading up to and after the Jacobite Rebellion and offers a unique insight into what life was like in Scotland at the time of the battle.

The battlefield has also undergone careful changes, with a new footpath network with a variety of walks tailored to the amount of time available to visitors.

Tours of the battlefield can be accompanied by new hand held devices which use satellite technology to provide information on what happened during the battle at strategic points.

Competition winners, Philip and Scott were given life membership of the National Trust for Scotland by Chairman Shonaig Macpherson today.

click here to see more photographs of the opening ceremony

Related Files

• Download the media release (DOC - 152 KB)

 

As part of a week of events to celebrate the official opening of Culloden visitor centre, the cairn was lit at dusk last night.

The cairn will be lit each evening until Saturday 19 April.

For more information on events at Culloden this week, click on events.  

Robert Smail’s Printworks continues its celebration of 500 Years of Printing in Scotland on a special day to mark Innerleithen’s industrial heritage. The National Trust for Scotland property is holding Victorian themed and print related events on Saturday 26 April.

The events are part of the Industrious Innerleithen event which celebrates the town’s past. It is run in partnership with the Scottish Borders Council, Innerleithen Community Trust and Fortissimo.

Visitors to Smail’s will step back to the Victorian era with the Trust’s popular Living History tour. Staff will be in costume and character, allowing visitors an insight into the trade of printing, the talents required and technology employed in the 19th Century. Tours run from 12 noon – 5pm and admission costs £14 per family.

Property Manager Gen Harrison said:

“Innerleithen has such an interesting past and Robert Smail’s was an important part of that. That’s why we felt it was important to get involved in this special day. Our Living History tours really bring the past to life to visitors. They’re very popular both with visitors and the staff who enjoy getting dressed up and going back in time!”

The full programme for Industrious Innerleithen is:

10am until Noon

Innerleithen Library - Pupils from St. Ronan’s Primary P7 will see the culmination of their enterprise project with Robert Smail’s Printing Works. The Inky Prints invite you to Print What You Want, a chance to try a range of printing activities whilst their colleagues will be selling their wide range of products designed to celebrate the 500 Years of Printing in Scotland and promote Robert Smail’s Printing Works, Innerleithen’s own industrial treasure.

The Library is generously hosting the event as part of its celebrating Local History Week and will host Victorian Rhymetime celebrating nursery rhymes and tunes from the Victorian Era for children below 5. Mary Kenny will lead two story-telling sessions for children aged 6 and upwards, so there is truly something for all the family.

Noon until 5pm
We beg to inform you…
Robert Smail’s Printing Works, Innerleithen is staging Victorian living history tours. Visitors to this unique National Trust for Scotland property can step back in time to meet employees of R. Smail & Sons from 1896. Customers to R. Smail’s would never go beyond placing their orders in the office, but by applying to take up an apprenticeship here, visitors will be able to view ‘the works’ as it would have been.

2pm until 5pm
St. Ronan’s Wells
Come and try the waters at Innerleithen’s own Victorian Health Spa. Named for Sir Walter Scott’s 1823 novel, the burgeoning town of Innerleithen became famous for its waters s as well as its woollen trade. The pavilion and gardens are open for visitors and contains a collection on the town’s history, focussing on the local games week.

2.30pm
Innerleithen Community Trust will lead a walk as part of the Industrious Innerleithen
The industrial past of Innerleithen owes everything to the character and ingenuity of its people and to the Leithen water around which the community has grown. The potential of the water to power industry led to inventive engineering to allow the wheels of industry to turn as the working life of Innerleithen grew over time. Power was drawn from a constructed mill lade that weaves its way through the heart of the town. Learn more about the role of water in Innerleithen’s industry on this walk.
It begins at the Memorial Hall Car Park at 2.30pm.

Fortissimo and Friends
Victorian Concert, Innerleithen Church Hall, 7pm
Initially intended to be gentle, singing experience for ‘more mature voices’ – Fortissimo is an amazing, energetic group of bright, enthusiastic songsters with an age-range of 40+ to 90. Industrious Innerleithen is proud to have this wonderful group end the day with a specially prepared Victorian Concert for the evening entertainment, a fantastic end to a hopefully enjoyable and educational day!
 

Walkers taking to the hills at Goatfell, Ben Lomond and Ben Lawers are being asked to play their part in a National Trust for Scotland survey of the Ptarmigan population.

The sightings will contribute to a detailed survey to be carried out by the conservation charity this year and will go some way to assessing possible climate change effects on the Trust’s high mountain peaks.

The survey will provide reliable population information for one of Scotland’s most popular mountain birds, the Ptarmigan. The data will allow conservationists to examine the changing patterns of the bird’s populations, with a particular focus on any effects from a changing climate. The study will also allow a comparison to be made with populations further north at the Trust’s Mar Lodge Estate.

Mr. Lindsay Mackinlay, Nature Conservation Adviser with the National Trust for Scotland said:

“Ptarmigan are one of the few birds that specialise on living on our mountain tops. The general belief is that a warming climate could make Scotland a less suitable place for them to live and breed. Some current predictions suggest they may only be able to survive on our highest and most northern ridges and plateaux in the future. In theory, this could mean they disappear altogether from mountains like Goatfell and Ben Lomond. However, the Trust is not satisfied that we have sufficient scientific data in the field to know what will happen to this species.

“We know that there are other factors that may well affect the Ptarmigans, including grazing levels which affect its food supply and predicted increases in wind speed. Indeed, increasing wind chill may act in favour of the Ptarmigan. We just don’t know.”

He continued: “We are keen to begin detailed annual surveys at Goatfell, Ben Lomond and Ben Lawers to study long-term changes in the Ptarmigan populations there. This fieldwork will hopefully feed into our management of these properties and other work out there to determine what is happening to much of our wildlife as the weather changes.”
 

The National Trust for Scotland charity today revealed the winners of the search for youngsters with ancestors who fought at the Battle of Culloden.

Scott Hay (11) from Kincraig and Philip Nicol (6) from Inverness have been chosen from more than 30 entrants from as far away as Canada, to help officially open the new Culloden visitor centre on Wednesday 16 April, the anniversary of the battle. Indeed it will be Scott and Philip’s names that will be etched upon the opening plaque for the centre.

Philip is descended from both sides of the battle. An examination of his family tree reveals three brothers of the Farquharson family of Allargue in Aberdeenshire, two of whom were officers with the Jacobite army, while their brother fought with the Government troops.

Already a regular visitor to Culloden, Philip was especially keen to take part in the opening as he will be celebrating his seventh birthday the following day.

Scott’s family tree also impressed the judging panel. His ancestor at Culloden was William Hay from Glenbucket in Aberdeenshire, who fought under Major General John Gordon of Glenbucket, a renowned senior Jacobite commander whose feats included the burning of Ruthven Barracks before the Battle of Culloden. William Hay is thought to have been present when Glenbucket’s men met Prince Charles Edward Stuart in Moidart, the day before he set out to raise his standard at Glenfinnan.

The Trust's Culloden project co-ordinator and Countryside and Islands Group Manager for the North East and Highlands, Alexander Bennett said:

“We were thrilled with the response to our search, with all the vital historical details that participants shared with us and it is heartening to see so many young people researching their roots.

“Philip and Scott sent in fantastic entries which were well researched and presented and demonstrated that they both had a keen interest in their family history and Culloden in particular.

“We are particularly excited that a youngster whose ancestors fought on both sides of the battle responded to our challenge, as we knew such families existed. They are both living proof of the fact that Scots, often from the same areas and families, were divided by the conflict and help dispel the myth that the battle was fought between England and Scotland.”

Philip and Scott have been invited by the Trust as VIPs to the official opening of the Culloden Visitor Centre to cut the ribbon on 16 April.
 

Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City has today praised the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA, the American arm of the National Trust for Scotland, for its work to promote and preserve Scotland’s history amongst Scottish Americans and American supporters of Scotland.

The Foundation supports the work of the Scottish conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland, which promotes and protects Scotland’s cultural and natural heritage.

In a letter welcoming guests to a special fundraising event in Manhattan on Wednesday 9 April, the Mayor highlighted the contribution that Scots have made to the city. He said:

“Scottish traditions and values have helped drive our City’s collective spirit, and the contributions of Scottish New Yorkers to our economic, social, and civic life continue to strengthen our community’s role as the greatest city in the world.”

He also commended the famous Scottish author, Alexander McCall Smith, who will receive the Great Scot award at the ‘Celebration of Scotland’s Treasures’ event. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to Scotland and Scottish culture worldwide.

Mayor Bloomberg added:

“Tonight, we come together to recognize a world-renowned Scot, author Alexander McCall Smith, whose outstanding talents have enriched the lives of readers around the world.

“On behalf of the City of New York, I commend Dr. McCall Smith as well as everyone involved with the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA for helping to preserve your country’s vibrant history.”

The fundraising event at Manhattan’s Metropolitan Club was organised by the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA. Guests will bid for luxury trips to Scotland, sample Scottish whisky and enjoy music and fashion created by top Scots artists, harpist Maeve Gilchrist and designer Sandra Murray. All proceeds raised will support the work of the National Trust for Scotland.
 

Budding builders can get their hands dirty and get an insight into traditional building methods used in the Kincardineshire and Angus area at clay-building workshops organised by the National Trust for Scotland this May.

Experts from the charity’s Little Houses Improvement Scheme have organised the free public events for Friday 2 May and Saturday 3 May at the House of Dunn, near Montrose, Angus.

The Trust is currently restoring one of the most complete surviving examples of mudwall buildings in the Angus area at Logie Schoolhouse. Clay was a commonly used construction material across Scotland, until the 18th century and examples can be found in the area straddling the Kincardineshire and Angus boundary, from Brechin to Auchenblae and Edzell to Montrose.

The events will cover both the theory of earth building and conservation, as well as practical workshops. Visitors can also enjoy guided tours of the conservation works at Logie Schoolhouse. These events are free of charge through the generous support of the National Lottery’s Awards for All programme and the efforts of the Trust’s Angus Members’ Centre.

Siân Loftus, Little Houses Improvement Scheme Manager said:

“Not too many people know that clay was a common building material in Scotland. In fact, there are buildings that may be clad in other materials like lime and cement which conceal this traditional material. The workshops will help owners to identify whether their building is of mudwall construction and provide practical advice on repair and maintenance. The owners of one mudwall house in Luthermuir have already signed up for a workshop. We’d love to hear from other owners in the area.

“These events are a great opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about the building traditions of their local area to increase their knowledge and get some great hands on experience.”

The morning session will be lead by Tom Morton of Arc Architecture whose practice is at the forefront of earth-building technologies, conservation, and ecological design. Tom also serves as the secretary of Earth Building UK the national organization for earth construction. This session will provide an introduction to Kincardineshire’s and Angus’ earth-building traditions and will focus on key aspects of conservation. The possibilities of earth based materials in modern ecological low carbon design will also be introduced.

The afternoon session will be lead by Becky Little of Little and Davie Construction who specialise in traditional building craft skills and have worked on numerous earth buildings. Becky will be examining the more practical side of earth conservation and construction and participants will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on experience with the material in a wall building exercise.

Guided tours of the ongoing conservation works at Logie Schoolhouse will also be provided in order to showcase the successful repair of a rare and remarkably complete example of a late vernacular earth building which has served its local community both as a school and most recently as a church. The Trust, through its Little Houses Improvement Scheme is currently converting the building into a dwelling.

 

Supporters of the National Trust for Scotland from across the United States are getting together to raise funds to aid its work as one of Scotland’s leading conservation charities this week.

An event which takes place at Manhattan’s Metropolitan Club on Wednesday 8 April has been organised by the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA.

Top Scots author Alexander McCall Smith will attend the ‘Celebration of Scotland’s Treasures’ where he will receive the Great Scot award, which recognises outstanding contributions to Scotland and Scottish culture worldwide.

Other attendees will bid for luxury trips to Scotland, sample Scottish whisky and enjoy music and fashion created by top Scots artists, harpist Maeve Gilchrist and designer Sandra Murray. All proceeds raised will support the work of the National Trust for Scotland.

Shonaig Macpherson, Chairman for the National Trust for Scotland is also attending the event in New York. She said:

“Our American supporters make a huge contribution to the Trust and the work that we do to conserve some of Scotland’s most treasured properties – from castles and great houses, to mountains, lochs and battlefields too.

“As a charity, we depend on the generosity of our members and supporters at home and abroad, so that we can continue this vital work to protect Scotland’s cultural and natural heritage. I am grateful to everyone involved in organising and supporting this event which celebrates Scotland, the Trust and the kindness of many supporters.”

 

The new Culloden visitor centre is in the running for a prestigious architectural award.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced the inclusion of Culloden in the shortlist of their award scheme earlier this week.

Presented annually, RIBA awards are given for buildings that have high architectural standards and make a substantial contribution to the local environment.

Designed by Gareth Hoskins Architects, the £9 million visitor centre is the largest construction project ever undertaken by the National Trust for Scotland and opened its doors to the public in December last year.

The building places an emphasis on environmentally friendly features, using sustainably sourced timber and Caithness stone. Heating is provided by a woodchip burning biomass boiler plant.

The Trust's Culloden project co-ordinator and Countryside and Islands Group Manager for the North East and Highlands, Alexander Bennett said:

“We are delighted to have been nominated for this high profile award which recognises the innovative design and world-class facilities we now have at Culloden.

“The nomination is a testament to the vision of the team at Gareth Hoskins Architects in creating a building that blends with the surrounding landscape, providing the ideal home for presenting the story of a battle that changed the course of history.”

A jury will visit Culloden in April, with the winners due to be announced on 29 May.

RIBA award winners go on to be considered in the RIBA National Awards scheme, the UK’s leading architecture awards which will be announced in June.
 

A perfect holiday retreat for green-fingered enthusiasts will shortly be available for bookings.

The cosy apartment for two overlooks one of the Border’s most glorious gardens, Priorwood in Melrose, making it perfect for garden lovers, or anyone who appreciates good views.

The pretty flat is upstairs in a traditional Border’s sandstone building and is the latest addition to the National Trust for Scotland’s holiday brochure.

Decorated in a country-cottage style, the flat is the perfect base for exploring all that the Borders has to offer, from rugby to hill walking, fishing and visiting Trust properties in the area. The newly-refurbished accommodation comprises a double bedroom, sitting room, well-equipped kitchen and modern bathroom with bath and shower.

Views from the flat take in the National Trust for Scotland’s glorious Priorwood Garden. Priorwood also has a dried flower shop and an orchard filled with historic apple varieties.

Prices for week long breaks (Saturday to Saturday) begin at £400.

To book, or for more information please call 0844 493 2100 or visit www.ntsholidays.com.

 

An operation to make the ship which is currently stranded on St Kilda safer is now underway.

The Spinningdale ran aground on St Kilda, a World Heritage Site owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland, on 1 February 2008.

Marine salvage experts, Mammoet Salvage, are currently unloading equipment on St Kilda and will begin to remove potentially harmful liquids, including diesel and oil, and equipment from the ship in the next few days.

The work is expected to take around a week and should be complete before the majority of seabirds are expected to have returned.

This first phase will help ensure that any risks the vessel poses to local wildlife and the environment are minimised. Once this work has concluded, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the National Trust for Scotland will consider next steps, including removal of the vessel.

National Trust for Scotland Property Manager Susan Bain said:

“Our priority is to ensure that the seabirds are protected from fuels, chemicals and equipment which could cause them harm. The good news is that this work will be completed before most of the bird population has returned to St Kilda, ensuring their safety and limiting the impact of the operation on the breeding season."

For the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Counter Pollution and Salvage Officer Colin Mulvana said:

"The Maritime and Coastguard Agency are working closely with the National Trust for Scotland to ensure the quality of this World Heritage Site is preserved for future generations. Our remit is to ensure that the hydrocarbons, stores and cargo are safely and effectively removed by Mammoet Salvage in the interests of the environment. Following the safe removal of these items the Secretary of State’s Representative in Maritime Salvage and Intervention will be awaiting proposals by the owners or insurers regarding the removal of the vessel."

When the Spinningdale ran aground, there was concern that rats may transfer from the ship onto the island, endangering bird life. So far, there is no evidence that rats are on St Kilda. The National Trust for Scotland continue to monitor this situation closely.  

A week of events to commemorate the battle of Culloden and celebrate the official opening of the Culloden visitor centre have been unveiled by the National Trust for Scotland today.

The centre, which has been open to the public since December 2007, will be officially opened on Wednesday 16 April, the anniversary of the battle.

Events to mark the battle and the opening begin on Sunday 13 April as the memorial cairn is floodlit at dusk for the first time. A lone piper will play laments from 7pm. The cairn will be lit each evening until Saturday 19 April.

A memorial mass at St John's Episcopal Church, Southside Road, Inverness will also take place on Sunday at 7pm. The church has a direct connection to Culloden - its original building was destroyed in the aftermath of the battle.

A private, invite-only ceremony takes place inside the new Culloden centre at 2pm on Wednesday 16 April.

The battlefield will be open to the public throughout the day and a piper will play on the battlefield at 1pm for one hour - the duration of the battle, during which over 1,500 people lost their lives.

Still on 16 April, the visitor centre will be open to the public from 3pm for a series of events. Visitors attending from 3 - 6 pm will enjoy free events involving well-known experts on Culloden and genealogy, including:
· Dr Tony Pollard from BBC Scotland’s Two Men in a Trench, who will lead tours of the battlefield highlighting some of the archaeological work which helped rewrite the history of the battle and uncovered some of the valuable artifacts which feature in the new exhibition.
·Dr Nick Barratt, of BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are, who will offer advice on tracing your family tree, following on from the Trust’s popular search to find youngsters with ancestors who fought on either side at the battle of Culloden.
·Renowned military historian, Dr Christopher Duffy, who will also shed some light on what happened at the battle. Living history actors will give an insight into the lives and traditions of people alive at the time.

The Trust's Culloden project co-ordinator and Countryside and Islands Group Manager for the North East and Highlands, Alexander Bennett said:

“We’re greatly looking forward to declaring the new visitor centre officially open with a programme of events that aims to tell people more about the battle which changed the course of world history and led to a change in the Highland way of life.

“The new exhibition aims to offer a new level of understanding of what happened on 16 April 1746, and we look forward to welcoming visitors.”

Events continue on Thursday evening at 7pm with a special Culloden Songs of Praise service co-coordinated by the Barn Church.

The week of remembrance climaxes on Saturday with a series of events for visitors. The full Saturday programme is:

·12.15pm - Music arranged by Bruce MacGregor of Blazin’ Fiddles and guests
·1.00pm - Find out “What really happened at the Battle of Culloden” with Professor Chris Duffy
·2.15pm - 3pm - Listen to ‘Princely’ stories - especially for our younger visitors
·1.30pm & 3pm - Hear Clann an Drumma play at the Leanach cottage
·3pm - 3.30pm - Enjoy Highland Dancing from Edith Macpherson’s dancing school
·3.30pm - Learn about “Commemorating Culloden - a history of the battlefield and its management - Nicole Deufel, Learning Manager, National Trust for Scotland
·4.15pm - 5pm - Listen to ‘Princely’ stories - especially for our younger visitors
·Live costumed presentations throughout the day in the Battle zone at the visitor centre.
 

Land rover safaris, sea kayaking and podcast tours are just a few of the treats on offer at National Trust for Scotland properties this summer and beyond.

The Trust’s season begins this Easter weekend and as the charity gears up for the busy season ahead, the message from Chief Executive Mark Adderley is that there’s more to the charity than tweeds and tearooms.

He said:

“The Trust has something for everyone - whether you’re interested in arts, the outdoors or good food. To kick the season off this weekend, we’ve got a great programme of Easter events to keep people of all ages occupied. As well as our many Easter egg hunts, you could try your hand at falconry at Fyvie Castle, race rubber ducks at Barry Mill or even learn more about waste awareness at Haddo House.

“That’s just for starters. This summer why not get outdoors and explore one of our 46 Munros with a ranger, spend time paddling round Scotland’s beautiful coastline or get away from it all at one of our more far-flung destinations, like Canna or Inverewe Garden. Keen conservationists can even dedicate their time off to work to protect wildlife and plants through our popular Thistle camps. So why don’t you get out, explore and enjoy!”
 

The National Trust for Scotland will start charging for carrier bags this weekend in a move to encourage customers to ditch plastic and choose more environmentally friendly alternatives.

The conservation charity will ask customers across Scotland to pay five, ten or fifteen pence for plastic bags from Friday 21 March 2008. Paper bags will remain free and a range of re-usable jute and calico bags will also be on sale.

Since 2003, the plastic bags provided by the Trust have been amongst the most environmentally friendly options available - totally non-toxic and biodegradable, breaking down within 18 months.

National Retail Manager for the Trust, Kevin McElroy said:

“This is an issue which is very much at the forefront of people’s minds right now. We all want to know what small changes we can make to be more environmentally friendly. Switching from plastic bags is one step we can all take.

“The Trust has been aware of concerns surrounding plastic bags for some time now. For more than five years we've been using plastic bags that are non-toxic and biodegradable. We feel the time is right to take this next step, which we hope will encourage customers to choose alternatives that are better for the environment.”
 

The National Trust for Scotland’s hunt for youngsters with ancestors who fought at the Battle of Culloden to help them officially open the new Culloden visitor centre on 16 April has drawn to a close with a last-minute flood of entries.

A call last week for youngsters with Hanoverian connections resulted in several entries, some from people descended from supporters of both the Jacobites and the Government.

Thirty entrants, from California and Canada to England and Northern Ireland, sent in their family trees, many revealing interesting tales and more details of how far families spread after the last battle fought on British soil.

The search also brought to light accounts of some interesting characters, such as Captain Alexander Grant who, after leading the Grants of Glenurquhart at Culloden, escaped to join the East India Company and went on to narrowly evade imprisonment in the Black Hole of Calcutta dungeon in 1756.

Entries also highlight families with divided allegiances such as the Boyds of Kilmarnock, with William Boyd, the 3rd Earl of Kilmarnock, supporting the Government against the 1715 Jacobite Rising and his son executed after joining the Jacobites at Culloden in 1746.

The Trust's Culloden project co-ordinator and Countryside and Islands Group Manager for the North East and Highlands, Alexander Bennett said:

“We’re delighted with the response to our search and the fascinating stories that have been uncovered. It’s particularly interesting to have received entries which really illustrate that Scots fought on both sides and many families were divided by the conflict which had such a profound effect on Scottish and world history.”

Entries to the competition will now be examined and validated by judges Dr Nick Barratt of BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are? and George Dalgleish of the National Museums of Scotland.

The winners will be announced at the beginning of April and invited to help officially open the new Culloden visitor centre on 16 April.
 

There are Cadbury Easter Trails taking place at 25 National Trust for Scotland properties from Good Friday to Easter Monday.

Just follow the trail, collect the clues, solve the puzzle and win an Easter egg ! Click here for information on a trail near you!  

Primary pupils from St Ronan’s, Priorsford and Walkerburn were transported back in time last week at the National Trust for Scotland’s Robert Smail’s Printing Works, Innerleithen.

More than 120 children got the chance to learn all about the printing trade and get some hands on experience, as part of the centre’s continuing 500 years of Printing in Scotland celebrations.

Pupils became potential apprentices and were transported back in time to 1896 where Mr Robert Cowan Smail had his trusted staff instruct them on all aspects of his family run business, including arithmetic, parcel wrapping, spelling and dexterity.

Property Manager Gen Harrison said:

“This was a real opportunity to bring history to life for these pupils. It’s fantastic to see their enthusiasm and excitement for learning about this fascinating and complex profession. I am sure that many of these pupils would have impressed Mr Smail and made it as apprentices.”

Mrs Davidson, a teacher from Priorsford said:

“We just didn’t realise what you had to offer. It’s great to have such a fantastic resource right on our doorstep. The children were spell-bound.”
 

The National Trust for Scotland are calling on youngsters with Hanoverian ancestors to get in touch as part of their hunt for children to help them officially open the new Culloden visitor centre on 16 April.

Entries to the Trust’s search for young people with ancestors who fought at the Battle of Culloden have so far uncovered several families with Jacobite connections but none with links to the Government troops.

Ranging from as young as 6 years old and hailing from Canada to Northern Ireland, more than a dozen youngsters have sent in their family trees, revealing that families of Jacobite troops were scattered far and wide after the Battle.

The Trust's Culloden project co-ordinator and Countryside and Islands Group Manager for the North East and Highlands, Alexander Bennett said:

“We always suspected that we’d receive more entries from descendants of the Jacobite troops but we’d also love to hear from people whose family fought on the Government side.

“The myth that the Battle was a conflict between England and Scotland is still alive today. We know however that many Scots fought with the Government troops and some families had members who fought on opposing sides, often against their will.

“The new centre tells the story of Culloden from the perspective of both sides of the conflict and it would be very symbolic to have representatives from both sides help us to officially open the new centre on 16 April.”

The closing date for entries to the Culloden Legacy Search is 19 March. Anyone of school age who would like to take part in the competition should send their family tree by email to the NTS at cullodenlegacy@nts.org.uk or by post to "Search for Culloden's legacy" competition, c/o Platform Public Relations Ltd, The Old Station, Station Road, Beauly, Inverness-shire, IV4 7EG. More information is available now at www.nts.org.uk/Culloden/
 

BBC Scotland’s announcement that it is to launch a major new television series, website and programme of events based on Scotland’s history, provides an unrivalled opportunity to remind the public of the historical treasures on offer, according to the National Trust for Scotland charity.

A ten-part television series, entitled A History of Scotland, shot on High Definition and presented by Neil Oliver, will be screened in November this year. There will also be a new website and several BBC Radio Scotland programmes.


Several of the Trust’s properties, including Falkland Palace, Bannockburn, Killiecrankie, Glenfinnan, Glencoe and Iona, could be used as filming locations, while the new Culloden Visitor Centre may host a related event later this year.


“The Trust has worked closely with BBC Scotland on the development of this project”, says Chairman Shonaig Macpherson, who is a member of the ‘Godparents’ Group’ helping to develop the Scotland’s History project.


“With more than 300,000 members and 129 properties including the sites of some of Scotland’s defining historical moments, like Culloden Battlefield, we’ve offered help and advice in the development of the project and we wholeheartedly support BBC Scotland. We’re sure that Scotland’s History will focus attention on the iconic historical landscapes and buildings the Trust manages across the country.”  

Aberdeen pupils got the conservation bug today thanks to a National Trust for Scotland and BAA Scotland partnership.

Pupils from Bankhead Academy in Aberdeen were the first to benefit from a new scheme that gives young people a chance to discover how much fun conservation work can be.

Ten youngsters came along to Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire and got to work on the castle grounds, clearing invasive species and maintaining the famous gardens.

Mark Adderley, Chief Executive for the National Trust for Scotland said:

"The Trust's work is all about conservation and we really appreciate the work of our volunteers of all ages. We're preserving the best of Scotland's natural and built environment for future generations, so it's great to get more people involved.

"As a charity, we rely on support of individuals and organisations like BAA, and we look forward to working with them on this important initiative. I hope that these events spark a lifelong passion for conservation in these young people, as well as a long relationship with the Trust."

Kevin Brown, managing director of Aberdeen Airport said:

"We are extremely proud to be working with the National Trust for Scotland to deliver a project that empowers young people, increases their essential skills and builds their confidence. This is one of many community initiatives we support around Scotland and we are confident that it will make a real difference to the young people, and communities around our airports."  

Threave Garden, Castle Douglas is gearing up for Spring, and it is a great time to visit.

The winter months have been packed with renovation and garden maintenance work, getting the garden and grounds in great shape for the new growing season.

While winter is still here, there are indoor options - why not take a walk through the display glasshouses, inhale the heady aromas of the hyacinths or sample something more exotic in the recently refurbished tropical house. You can also tickle your tastebuds with some home baking from the restaurant.

Brain Corr, Head Gardener at Threave said:

“We’re well into preparations for the spring. Planting, pruning, cutting back, seed sowing, potting up, glasshouse cleaning and digging are all in progress, as well as clearing up of any damage caused by strong winds over the winter.

“It’s a great time to visit the garden. Buds are appearing on shrubs and trees and the earliest spring bulbs are making an appearance too.

“We’ve also got an exciting addition to the garden this year – a pirate ship for our youngest visitors. There's a lovely pond and waterfall that’s been funded by the Galloway member’s group too.”
 

Archaeological excavations at the National Trust for Scotland’s Drum Castle Estate, Aberdeenshire have revealed exciting evidence for the early 17th century gardens which once surrounded the castle.

A team of professional and volunteer archaeologists, led by Murray Archaeological Services Ltd, uncovered foundations of very substantial walls and areas of paving, clear evidence of landscaping work carried out in the 1770s, medieval ceramics, including glazed floor tiles and pottery fragments and 17th and 18th century wine bottles, fine tableware and clay pipe fragments.

The gardens, which have lain hidden under green lawns for nearly 250 years, were probably established in the early 1600s, when a palace wing was added to Drum Castle.

Dr Shannon Fraser, Archaeologist for the National Trust for Scotland said:

“This is a very exciting discovery. The garden features being revealed at Drum are among the oldest in the National Trust for Scotland’s care and will provide important new information about a relatively little-understood period of Scottish garden history.

“Indeed, until now very little has been known about Drum’s early gardens, aside from some references by the 17th century historian John Spalding and in estate account books in the mid 1700s. We do know that they were finally entirely swept away in the later 18th century, when it became fashionable for country houses to be surrounded by lawns.

“These findings add to our knowledge of Drum, its gardens and an important and fascinating period of history.”
 

Still struggling for ideas on how to make your Mother’s Day really special this coming Sunday?
Take a look at what the National Trust for Scotland has to offer.

Around Glasgow, there are loads of lovely ways to spend time with your mum.

Why not enjoy afternoon tea and admire the art collections at Pollok House or take trip back in time with a visit to Glasgow’s Tenement House.

If you are after gift ideas, the Trust can help you there too. Hutcheson’s Hall gift shop (open Thursday and Friday) has a range of quality presents that mothers will love. Membership to the National Trust for Scotland makes a great gift too.

Robert Ferguson, Buildings and Gardens Group Manager for Glasgow, said:

“The Trust’s beautiful Glasgow properties make great venues to visit on Mother’s Day. Whether you’re after tea and cakes, a walk round the lovely grounds at Pollok House or exploring the history of tenement life, it’s a great way to spend time together.”
 

Britain’s rarest freshwater fish, the vendace, is thriving at Loch Skene in Dumfries and Galloway, under the management of the National Trust for Scotland.

A recent report by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage, found almost ten times as many vendace per hectare in the loch compared to Derwent Water, Cumbria - their only remaining native UK site.

The fish were introduced to Loch Skene in the nineties following concerns about habitat deterioration at Bassenthwaite Lake, Cumbria. No vendace have been recorded at Bassenthwaite since 2001.

Dan Watson, Property Manager at Grey Mare’s Tail said:

“It is good to know that this rare fish is doing so well here. This fish has been badly hit by pollution and predation from inappropriate fish introductions in other lakes in the country and can only be found in a couple of locations these days. The Trust is pleased to manage one of its last strongholds in Britain and to be working in partnership on this important conservation project.”

Ian J Winfield of CEH said:

"Although our overall aim is the conservation of rare fish species such as the vendace in their native habitats, the use of refuge sites such as Loch Skene is an invaluable approach to avoid the complete loss of a population and its genetic diversity. My hope is that one day we will be able to use the vendace population of Loch Skene as a source for fish to be reintroduced to a restored Bassenthwaite Lake."
 

The international search for two young people whose ancestors fought on either side of the battle of Culloden is still underway. The National Trust for Scotland is looking for two youngsters with connections to the battle to help with the official opening of its new visitor centre.

Twelve young people, from as far a field as Exeter, have already done their homework, traced their ancestors and submitted their entries to the Trust’s competition to officially open the new Culloden visitor centre on 16 April.

There is still time for young people of school age to find out if their ancestors fought at Culloden. The closing date for entries is 19 March.

BBC’s Nick Barratt, of the TV series ‘Who do you think you are?’ is encouraging youngsters to get involved and will be helping to judge competition entries to identify the lucky two.

The Trust's Culloden project co-ordinator and Countryside and Islands Group Manager for the Highlands and Islands, Alexander Bennett said:
“We’d love to find two young people who have a family link to the battle and get them involved in officially opening our fantastic new visitor’s centre at Culloden.
“We’ve been impressed with the entries received so far and are keen to encourage even more schoolchildren to look into their past, see what they discover and tell us all about it.
“We’re not just looking for Scottish descendants, you could be anywhere in the world. If you think you have an ancestor who fought in the battle, there’s still time to get online, get researching and tell the Trust all about it.”
So were you there in 1746? Anyone of school age who would like to take part in the competition should send their family tree by email to the NTS at cullodenlegacy@nts.org.uk or by post to "Search for Culloden's legacy "  

Some of Scotland’s oldest and rarest books, paintings and textiles will survive for future generations thanks to the expertise of conservators at the National Trust for Scotland.

Experts from the Trust are sharing their collections conservation knowledge with colleagues and volunteers across Scotland at a training event today. The aim is to help co-workers understand the principles and best practice of protecting and conserving the Trust’s treasures, so that they last for hundreds more years.

Professor Norman Tennent, a research fellow from the University of Glasgow is also delivering a talk to staff on the ethics and principles underlying the repair of materials as diverse as building stone or a fragile textile.

Clare Meredith, Head of Collections Conservation Services said:

“As Scotland’s leading conservation charity the preservation and protection of the Trust’s collections is at the heart of what we do. We are responsible for collections of exceptional significance and variety displayed in their original context at the Trust’s properties and we must ensure that they receive the highest quality of care, so that they can continue to be enjoyed for centuries more.”
 

An internationally renowned painting owned by the National Trust for Scotland charity has returned to Britain after a trip to Texas.

The spectacular portrait Colonel, the Hon William Gordon (1736 - 1816) is one of the charity’s most famous pieces and normally hangs in pride of place in Fyvie Castle, Turriff.

Painted in 1766 by Italian master Pompeo Batoni, the portrait has been on loan to the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas, as part of a major exhibition celebrating the artist’s work. The painting is now back on British soil and will be on display at the National Gallery, London from 20 February to 18 May.

Katrina Thomson, Head of Collections, Archives and Library Services for the Trust oversaw the arrangements for shipping the priceless artwork overseas.

She said:

“Batoni’s portrait of Colonel Gordon is one of the best-loved works in the Trust’s collections. It’s considered by many to be among the most remarkable eighteenth-century portraits of a Scot. We’re delighted to have been able to contribute to this important exhibition in two of the greatest galleries in the UK and the United States, and to give visitors from far afield a taste of Fyvie’s many artistic treasures.”

The portrait will return to Fyvie Castle in time for the start of the summer season.
 

Advice for Scotland’s gardeners was offered today by the National Trust for Scotland charity, in the light of recent outbreaks of a disease that can affect the likes of rhododendron and viburnum.

Some user-friendly tips were issued, as was detailed guidance on how to deal with Phytophthora ramorum, also known as Sudden Oak Death, for gardens, plant sales and established gardens.

The disease has so far been found in just four Scottish Gardens, including two examples at the National Trust for Scotland’s Arduaine Garden and Inverewe Garden but affects many places in England and Wales. A similar disease, called Phytophthora kernoviae, has also been detected in one non-Trust garden. Today the Trust brought together specialists to discuss the disease and offer guidance.

The charity has played a leading role in addressing the problem of Phytophthora ramorum, ever since it was detected at Arduaine last October. The Trust has been working closely with SGRPID, the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate, on how best to manage the disease.

Today, in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, the Trust brought together its own gardening specialists from popular properties throughout Scotland, government authorities, the (English) National Trust and some private gardens, to share detailed practical knowledge.

Organised by the Trust’s Gardens and Designed Landscapes Services team, the day offered a special training session on the problems of dealing with Phytophthora ramorum. Jan Haenraets, Head of Gardens and Designed Landscapes Services said:

“We felt it important to bring some of the specialists together today to raise awareness and share our first hand knowledge and best practice, looking at the problem from both a gardens and countryside perspective. In a collaborative effort with SGRPID and Scottish Natural Heritage, we hope we can improve how we deal with the problem in Scotland for all organisations.

“But we also wanted to offer the public some useful advice, for the many keen gardeners at home and enthusiasts who visit our gardens. The disease is still not widely understood so it’s important to get things into perspective and look at the problem in a very practical way. We hope our key tips help Scotland’s home gardeners better understand the plant disease.”

Ann Steele, Gardens and Designed Landscapes Adviser for the Trust added,

“This disease is still very rare in Scotland but it’s been a problem in England, so gardeners should watch out if woody plants seem to die quickly, keep gardens and tools clean, buy your plants from a trusted source and if you’re concerned, contact your local SGRPID office. There are images of diseased plants available online at the SGRPID and DEFRA websites, so that’s a useful reference for concerned gardeners too.

“Gardens that have been affected by the disease must display a notice that advises visitors of this fact but don’t be put off visiting a garden where an outbreak has occurred. Just make sure you stay on the paths, follow the signs and please don’t take any leaves or cuttings away with you when you leave.”

Here is the National Trust for Scotland’s advice:

1. Keep up to date with current notifications via the DEFRA or SGRPID websites:
www.defra.gov.uk/planth/pramorum.htm
www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Agriculture/plant/17937/Phytophtras/Introonphytophthorasramor
2.If woody plants seem to die quickly, check to see if they are amongst susceptible genera, e.g. Viburnum, Rhododendron, Erica, and Pieris etc.
3.In areas where outbreaks have occurred, ensure gardens are kept clean – remove leaf debris and burn
4.Keep tools clean and disinfected to prevent disease spread
5.Remove soil from shoes and boots with soap and water
6.Buy your plants from a trusted resource and ensure they adhere to the plant passport scheme, ensuring the plants have been grown in safe, clean and hygienic conditions
7.Contact your local SGRPID office if you have any concerns with plants, but try to check with guides first
8.If visiting areas where outbreaks have occurred, make sure you take no leaves of illicit cuttings from the garden and keep dogs under control on short leads
9. The best advice is to be aware, keep an eye on your plants and follow the normal good husbandry that all gardeners work to
 

One of Leith’s finest buildings is set to be restored to its former glory under plans that will also re-open a medieval close and revive the original character of Lamb’s House setting. The redevelopment of the 17th century grade A listed building has moved a step closer with the final plans now submitted.

The proposal takes into account feedback from a public consultation exercise last year and aims to further the long-term regeneration of the area.

The project will see Lamb’s House sensitively restored by The EDI Group (EDI) to its original use as housing, with a total of nine residential units, together with a small office suite and on-site car parking. The turn-pike stair will be returned to use and much of the detail of the interior including fireplaces, exposed joisted ceilings and ceiling panels will be conserved.

A new building set at right angles to Lambs House will help revive the original character of Leith by reinstating views down Waters Close to the Shore. A landscaped public courtyard and panels charting the history of the building are also part of the plans.

EDI, selected by the National Trust for Scotland as their development partners, are working closely with the charity and with award-winning design practice, Cadell2 Wiszniewski Thomson architects on the plans.

David McAllister, the Trust’s Group Manager of Buildings & Gardens for Edinburgh & East, said: “These plans will bring this much-loved building back into everyday use. As owner, sponsor and joint applicant, the Trust is fully supportive of the proposal including the new builds which will enhance the setting and improve understanding of Lamb’s House. EDI has an excellent track record of sensitive re-development of historic sites, so we know this important building is in safe hands.”

John Mark Di Ciacca, EDI’s Director of Development, said: “EDI wants to see Edinburgh historic sites being enjoyed by the public and conserved for future generations. Lamb’s House is an iconic grade-A listed building of national importance. This refurbishment will see it lovingly restored, back in use as a residential property and helping to breathe new life into Leith. ”

Jim Tweedie, Chair of Leith Local History Society, said, “As a history society we are more than happy that the exterior of the building is being retained in its present form. It would have been a tragedy if a building of this significance had been demolished. It is also encouraging to know the developers are now reopening Waters Close and that the gardens at the front are being retained for public access. While we would have loved to have Lambs House as a site for a museum for Leith we appreciate that this was not a viable proposition and fully support the National Trust's plans for this building.”

Charles McKean, historic building consultant, said, "Lamb's House has evolved over the centuries. This next phase of evolution, particularly the re-opening Water's Close and returning the building to its 17th century use, merits strong support. The new building will provide a better context for Lamb's House, and help in recreating the ancient character of this part of Leith. In terms of both contemporary architecture and enhancing the heritage, this proposal is to be warmly welcomed."
 

Mr Russell said,

"I visited St Kilda last year and saw for myself this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Culturally and naturally, the islands are of major importance not just for Scotland but for the world. In relation to St Kilda, The National Trust for Scotland 's remit as a conservation charity is to protect the environment from any potential risk, big or small. The possibility of the introduction of a new predator on to the island is a risk and needs to be dealt with seriously. I therefore support the Trust's preventative work in this area."

The charity’s National Species Recovery Officer, Abbie Patterson, is on St Kilda this week to lay and check rat monitoring traps. He led similar work on the island of Canna in 2006 and understands how serious it would be for the island if rats were detected. This is a view supported by Scottish Natural Heritage. David Maclennan is their Area Manager for Western Isles and Rum.

He commented,

"St Kilda is of international importance for its breeding seabirds. Rats have devastated seabird colonies throughout the world, with Canna and Ailsa Craig being two good examples in Scotland . Whilst the risk of rats reaching St Kilda and establishing a population is low, it is a real risk. If a rat population became established, the threat to the seabirds would be major, and expensive eradication measures would be required. Whilst the risk of rats coming ashore from the Spinningdale may be low, the Trust has done the right thing by implementing their contingency plan to make sure that the risk of rats reaching St Kilda is kept to an absolute minimum."

Prospects for a positive outcome on the island are increasing as today Abbie Patterson reported that he has checked the wax blocks and only noted St Kilda mouse teeth marks on them. The wax blocks are not harmful to wildlife but the Trust cannot put poison down as this would, of course, be harmful to the native wildlife.

The National Trust for Scotland 's Property Manager for St Kilda, Susan Bain added, "The Trust will be delighted if no rats are detected on the island but it’s still too early to come to that conclusion. However, the biggest colony of northern gannets in the world are on St Kilda, as are large colonies of puffin, fulmar and Leach’s storm petrel. The islands are the most important seabird station in the north east Atlantic . Constant vigilance is obviously essential, given those facts and the charity would be failing in its responsibilities as a major conservation charity, were we not to carry out this essential work on Hirta."

Supporters of the charity’s far reaching conservation work in Scotland can donate to the National Trust for Scotland by contacting the Development team on 0131 243 9433 and 0844 493 2113  

The team undertook the following tasks:

- They checked the rat traps that had been set last Friday. These were found to be empty so far;

- They checked the location of the stricken vessel, The Spinningdale, to assess its position;

- They assessed the immediate environment near to the vessel, noting places where rats would prefer, for example in sheltered spots and beside walls;

- They began making the special wax blocks that they will need for the rat traps. These blocks are made from unscented candle wax and cocoa. The wax and cocoa are melted and then put into a bun tin to set. These will be placed where rats would be attracted to them, for example along the base of walls.

- The National Trust for Scotland team are anticipating remaining on St Kilda until Friday.

- Images of similar wax blocks used on the Island of Canna are available on request and more descriptions and pictures can be found at www.nts-seabirds.org.uk

Abbie Patterson was involved from the beginning in the Canna Seabird Recovery Project in 2005 and 2006, which has successfully eradicated rats from the island of Canna in the Inner Hebrides. The island of Hirta is about half the size of Canna. He was also integral in developing the contingency plans to prevent re-infestation of Canna.

The National Trust for Scotland is a conservation charity. Our role is to protect many of Scotland's most important areas and properties that we own or manage on behalf of the nation, including St Kilda.

St Kilda is a dual World Heritage Site with the largest seabird colony in Britain, the largest gannet colony in the world and the largest puffin colony in Europe. It is therefore so important to protect the islands and their wildlife that the Trust cannot take any risks at all.

It's the charity’s job to establish if there is any danger posed by rats or any other environmental risks and that's what we've sent our specialist to Hirta to do. This work is wholly funded by The National Trust for Scotland charity and has no impact whatsoever on public funds. We will be able to assess any potential threat to the environment this week.  

Abbie Patterson, the Trust's National Species Recovery Officer, will fly to Hirta with MOD representatives on Tuesday morning. He will check traps and lay fresh bait of cocoa mixed with candle wax to attract any rats which could damage the resident seabird colony. The team is expected to stay on the island until Friday, depending on weather conditions.  

With the 14 crew from the trawler, the Spinningdale, now safely flown to Stornoway, the Trust is focusing on the environmental implications for the island of Hirta, the largest of the four islands.

The charity’s rat procedure is now in place and rat traps are going down on Hirta today.

If rats are brought ashore they will eat birds eggs and chicks and force the birds to move to a different habitat. There are no trees on St Kilda, so all birds are ground nesting.

Commenting on the Trust’s concerns, Abbie Patterson, the Trust’s National Species Recovery officer said,

“This is potentially very worrying if any rats aboard the vessel get ashore as they could put the seabird colony at risk by eating eggs and chicks. We can’t be complacent about this as rats can cause huge problems by decimating seabird colonies..”

The islands are designated a World Heritage Site for their natural heritage - mainly for the cliffs and seabird colonies they support and the surrounding seas.

The biggest colony of northern gannets in the world are on St Kilda, as are large colonies of puffin, fulmar and Leach’s storm petrel. The islands are the most important seabird station in the north east Atlantic.

Susan Bain, the Trust’s Property Manager for St Kilda added,

“St Kilda’s remote isolation means that there are no land-based predators on the bird colonies and we’ve got strict guide lines to make sure people don’t accidentally bring non native species such as cats or rats onto the islands.

“There are only two mammal species - sheep and the St Kilda mouse, a unique sub species - that inhabit the islands. So any possibility of rats being introduced would be a concern.”

The Trust will send its team out to the islands as soon as possible so they can see if there is any evidence that rats have come ashore from the vessel and if so, deal with the problem.

Susan Bain added, “Over the winter time the only people based on the island are staff that work on the MOD radar station. They have kindly put the rat traps down for us today and we will be meeting with them when we arrive on Hirta on Tuesday.”  

Together with John Graham, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland, Diana Murray, Secretary of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland and Graham U’ren representing the Built Environment Forum Scotland, the NTS Chief Executive outlined the charity’s important role and responsibilities within the built heritage sector. He also took the opportunity to call for increased funding for Scotland’s cultural heritage, which he argued makes a significant contribution to the day to day lives of Scots.

Briefing the Committee on the charity’s remit, Mark Adderley explained the Trust was established by an Act of Parliament in 1931 and is Scotland’s largest conservation charity, currently with some 320,000 members and responsibility for 129 properties open to the public. The Trust promotes the conservation of the whole heritage of Scotland, natural and cultural, including access to and enjoyment of that heritage by its members, the people of Scotland and everybody who shares a passion and interest in Scotland’s heritage, now and in the future.

He emphasised that Scotland’s historic environment plays a key role in creating a sense of place. Therefore places such as Culloden, St Kilda and Glencoe under the Trust’s guardianship, are hugely significant to the nation’s psyche.

Scotland’s cultural heritage is also an invaluable economic and social resource and as such, is one of the nation’s most precious assets. The Trust’s properties, in some of the nation’s most stunning and striking locations, help celebrate the distinctiveness of Scotland’s land, history and, above all, its people. Scotland’s national identity is deeply rooted in its natural and cultural heritage.

Many perceptions of the National Trust for Scotland are out of date and do not portray what the Trust stands for in 2008. Its strength is its astonishing diversity - from wild land to fine art, crofting landscapes to industrial heritage. Its historic buildings, mountains, gardens and islands, looked after on behalf of the nation, cannot fail to inspire and educate. Indeed, as well as conserving and managing these precious assets, the Trust has a statutory duty to facilitate people’s access to them.

Highlighting the importance of people and volunteers in everything the Trust does, the Chief Executive offered the example of the successful new visitor’s centre at the Culloden battlefield, which offers a striking example of how the Trust’s team of specialists can work together as One Trust, for the benefit of the people of Scotland who seek to connect with their past and look to the future.

This major Trust project has demonstrated innovation in design and interpretation, has assisted in local economic growth and employment, has made many links with the Scottish education system and curriculum and has strengthened the renaissance of interest in the Gaelic culture and language.


Mark Adderley was asked by Aileen Campbell, South of Scotland MSP, to comment on how the Trust engages with young adults and attracts a broader range of people to its properties. In response he said the Trust describes itself as having a “place for everyone” because it believes what it looks after is important to everybody in Scotland. He added,

“We do a lot of work with primary and secondary schools. We have 47 properties with education officers who work with schools and develop programmes, with no government support. We also hold camps with younger adults and underprivileged children, involving them in outdoor conservation projects. We have a volunteering programme and the under 40s build footpaths on our 46 munros. We work with the whole breadth of the population on different things. However, as a charity, we must ensure that all our activities are funded, either as commercial enterprises or through sponsorship.”

Mark Adderley went on to highlight to the MSPs of the Parliamentary committee some current issues for the heritage cultural sector. Opportunities for everyone to engage with their heritage cannot be created without support from government, and increased funding for Scotland’s cultural heritage sector is urgently required. He noted that government grants for the historic environment have largely been static or falling for ten years and many local authorities can lack the resources and personnel to care for their historic places. And yet, the contribution Scotland’s heritage makes to economic growth and the opportunities it provides to enrich people’s lives, are many.

The chief executive concluded,

“At the National Trust for Scotland we care deeply about Scotland’s heritage and regard caring for some of Scotland’s finest cultural and natural heritage, as a great privilege. But our founding purposes extend further than simply looking after the properties in our care. We want to promote conservation of and access to all of Scotland’s magnificent heritage. “  

The conservation charity has a mixed response to the news. It warmly welcomes plans to place Scotland’s marine environment under a single body, the Marine Management Organisation. Commenting on the decision, Robin Turner, Head of Archaeological Services for the National Trust for Scotland said,

“Marine issues are a priority for the National Trust for Scotland and this news makes a lot of sense. Managing the marine environment is something the Trust has been calling for, for a long time and it should be warmly welcomed. The idea was one of the main recommendations made by the Advisory Group on Marine and Coastal Strategy (AGMACS) and we hope it will be well supported in principle by other natural and cultural heritage NGOs and other professional bodies.”

However the Trust is concerned about the abolition of the Historic Environment Advisory Council for Scotland (HEACS) whose remit will now move to Historic Scotland.

HEACS is the only body to provide independent advice to Scottish Ministers and offers longer-term strategic thinking, tackling issues which are not fully addressed by others. Clare Meredith, Head of Collections Conservation for the Trust and a former member of HEACS, wonders how this critical independent work can now be best achieved.

“HEACS’ great strength is its independence and breadth of thinking so it is inevitable that a vacuum will emerge. We understand HEACS will complete its current work which includes identifying the economic impact of the historic environment in Scotland, mapping the infrastructure of the historic environment as it relates to the voluntary sector, and identifying ways of attracting young people to become more involved in protecting, conserving, understanding and enjoying the historic environment.

“However, with no HEACS to deliver such long-term and wide-ranging thinking and advice direct to Scottish Ministers in the future, the wealth of riches that makes up Scotland’s historic environment may now remain less accessible, less well understood or appreciated and less invested in than it should be. So how will such important independent work and thinking now be done now?”

Robin Turner added,
“It’s not seen as Historic Scotland’s remit to look as broadly and deeply, as HEACS does, at the historic environment infrastructure. HEACS has a reputation for being independent and constructively critical.

“The Trust does however welcome the decision to reconsider the proposed merger between the Royal Commission for Ancient and Historic Monuments with Historic Scotland and to look at rationalizing the Commission’s archive work, together with the National Archives of Scotland and Scotland’s People.“

The wide ranging Government announcement on national public organisations also affected nature conservation. The merger of the Deer Commission with Scottish Natural Heritage is viewed as a logical step by Richard Luxmoore, the Trust’s Senior Nature Conservation adviser.

“Deer are only one component of the natural heritage and it sometimes sat uncomfortably that deer management was in the hands of a separate agency, whilst all other species were handled by Scottish Natural Heritage. This decision will however give SNH new statutory powers that they will need to implement alongside their advisory role.”

Commenting on another development Luxmoore added, “Transferring the work of the Advisory Committee on Sites of Special Scientific Interest to sit under SNH may also be a sensible move, although equally it may result in a reduction in the level of independent scrutiny and arms-length objectivity when it comes to the implementation of SSSIs in the future. Let’s wait and see.”

The government’s plans to introduce greater coordination by the creation of a single environmental and rural delivery service to land managers and thus reducing the sometimes complex array of organizations involved for the consumer has been welcomed in principle by the Trust. It is hoped this may help address some of the problems in the new agri-environment system with resourcing historic environment information and advice.

Finally, as regards the call for increased collaboration between the National Galleries, National Museums and the National Library to better support collections activity throughout Scotland, Katrina Thomson, Head of Collections, Archives and Library Services for the Trust said,

"As a charity that cares for one of the largest and most varied public collections in Scotland, the NTS would welcome any proposal that encourages and supports the National Collections in developing collaborative activity.

“The Trust's material culture collections contain almost every category of artefact, but in contrast to the National Collection bodies, most of these are presented in their original historic settings. The Trust has benefited, and continues to benefit, from a number of partnerships with the National Collection and sees the potential for many more joint initiatives that would help to increase access to and enjoyment of Scotland's national treasures.”

Summing up the National Trust for Scotland’s reaction to the Government changes in national public bodies, Andrew Bachell, Conservation Services and Projects Director, who is responsible for all conservation matters for the Trust commented,

“Overall the National Trust for Scotland welcomes efforts to improve efficiency and to make it easier to engage with decision making bodies. Some of these moves will be helpful, for example the establishment of the new marine organisation. It is hoped that the bringing together of the objectives of rural agencies will allow resources to be spent on public benefits including access and protection of the environment.

“However it is of concern that within these changes there is also an erosion of independent advice, such as that given by HEACS, whose aim is not to confirm the views of ministers but to provoke everyone, the minister included, to think about deriving the greatest benefit we can from the unique and impressive heritage assets of Scotland.

“Public policy in these areas needs independent and creative thinking and that requires certain freedoms of both thought and action. HEACS has served this role diligently in the public interest.”  

Find out more about some of the ground breaking work that the Trust is carrying out at the Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve - click the link below to download a summary of the conservation work undertaken on the Reserve over the last two years.

(Picture: Ben Lawers is the only UK site for the bristle sedge, Carex microglochin)

Related Files

• A summary of the conservation work undertaken on the Reserve over the last two years (PDF - 534.53 KB)

 

Come and visit the Gladstone Gallery and experience the vibrant array of exhibitions during the summer 2008.

1-13 July: Remembering Richard exhibition includes stained glass work and paintings by the late Richard Green.

15 July-3 August: a selection of artists from Coburg Studios, Leith, will be exhibiting and selling fine artwork, jewellery, handbags and accessories.

5-10 August: Andy McIntosh’s work explores the ‘readymade’ theme in his exhibition of mounted assemblage art created from modified materials found in industrial settings.

12-17 August: The Nature of Things is an exhibition of landscape and nature photography by David Finlay and the contemporary crafts of Jen L Macartney.

19-24 August: Jamie Chiu, a Taiwanese artist of the Ami tribe, will be exhibiting artwork full of bright and vibrant style rooted in Aboriginal and naïve forms, combining Western and Asian styles.

26–31 August: Catriona Reid, Catriona Simpson and Allan Robertson from the Edinburgh College of Art, will be exhibiting paintings, drawings, mixed media and 3D works based on various themes including space and light, human intervention on the landscape and contemporary skyscapes.

2–7 September: Ed Fielding, Paul Johnston and Hamish King will be exhibiting and selling photographs featuring Scottish landscapes and townscapes, as well as wildlife images.
 

The storms on 8th January caused damage to the NTS property when the gable wall of an adjacent building collapsed. Debris came through the roof of Hutchesons' Hall above the main Hall. The roof of the lean-to storage building has been completely demolished.  

The Trust's Culloden project co-ordinator Alexander Bennett said: "We're encouraging young people of school age to start discovering who their ancestors were all those centuries ago and who knows, maybe they are related to people who actually fought at the battle of Culloden in 1746."

“We want to hear from them at the National Trust for Scotland if they find out there is a family link with the battle.”

“The myth that Culloden was a conflict between England and Scotland is still around today. In fact, many Scots fought with the Government troops and some families had members who fought on opposing sides, often against their will.

“So if you think this might be you, with an ancestor who fought in the battle and maybe even with two ancestors who fought on either side of Culloden, do let us know.”

“You don’t have to be Scottish of course if you want to search your possible Culloden past but the battle certainly had far-reaching consequences for modern Scotland and we think it’s very appropriate that the descendants of those who fought on either side should help us officially open the new centre.”

The exciting new centre, which uses modern technology to tell the story of Culloden through accounts of people who lived at the time, opened its doors to the public and members of the Trust in December and it seems fitting that the official opening should be held on the anniversary of the battle, on 16th April this year.

The search for these youngsters to open the new centre, announced by the Trust today, is being supported by none other than Dr Nick Barratt, of the successful BBC One television series “Who Do You Think You Are?”

Dr Barratt has supplied invaluable tips on the Trust's Culloden webpages www.nts.org.uk/Culloden/ for anyone who wants to research their family tree. He has also agreed to be on the panel to help judge the entries.

Commenting on the search for Culloden ancestors, he said: "This is an opportunity for generations to come together and explore their shared past. Family trees are the gateway to history. There is something exciting about seeing past events though ancestors’ lives."

So were you there in 1746? Anyone of school age who would like to take part in the competition should send their family tree by email to the NTS at cullodenlegacy@nts.org.uk or by post to "Search for Culloden's legacy " competition, c/o Platform Public Relations Ltd, The Old Station, Station Road, Beauly, Inverness-shire, IV4 7EG before Wednesday 19 March when their entry will be considered by the panel. More information is available now at www.nts.org.uk/Culloden/

The £9 million visitor centre is the largest ever construction project undertaken by the National Trust for Scotland, it combines state-of-the-art technology with a fresh look at events leading up to and following the Battle of Culloden and feedback from visitors has so far been tremendous.

 

To fund this multi faceted project NTS was to apply, as a charity, to the Heritage Lottery Fund and also receive funding from the Scottish Government. As a charity, it was essential NTS received such funding support to deliver the project and, for its part, the Trust is actively fundraising for the remainder.

The initiative involves creating a new world class Burns Birthplace Museum and making significant improvements to the Burns National Heritage Park and Burns’ Cottage, including the Burns Monument, Brig o’ Doon, Auld Kirk, link pathway and education facilities.

The National Trust for Scotland is working closely with the Heritage Lottery Fund and having secured a Stage One HLF grant of £5,827,000 in January 2007 a further submission has to be made to secure the actual funds. Consequently the NTS Stage 2 submission to HLF is expected, on schedule, by the end of January 2008. The Scottish Government has committed to a similar amount.

Given the international significance of the museum, in 2007 the Trust reviewed its project team and changes were made. This has caused a delay of 4 months. As a charity, NTS has also had to ensure it fully satisfies the Heritage Lottery Fund and that its submission is of the highest quality, including the business plan. The NTS Board has also rightly sought quality assurances for such a major project.

The many initiatives for the Burns bicentenary are expected to open throughout Homecoming Scotland 2009 and it had originally been hoped that the new Museum would also be developed in time to feature in the Homecoming programme but this is looking increasingly unlikely.

However, both the Trust and the Scottish Government are determined that the priority for the Burns Birthplace Museum is to offer a lasting legacy for Scotland, enhancing the timeless appeal of Burns and that this long term perspective is what is important, not whether the museum is completed in November 2009 or a few months later into 2010.

Mark Adderley, Chief Executive of NTS said,

“It’s clear the vast majority of the Burns initiatives will be completed by the end of 2009, with the possible exception of the museum. Delivering a lasting legacy has to be our priority and the Trust is committed to playing its part in delivering what will undoubtedly be a really exciting and ambitious project for the nation.

“We are still on target for our Heritage Lottery Funding Stage Two submission this month. This in itself is no guarantee of funding and it’s worth remembering that even if the HLF funding is confirmed, the Trust will still need to raise a considerable amount itself.

“Burns is as popular and relevant today as he’s ever been and our challenge now is to bring to life the inspiration that was Robert Burns.”  

Several trees are down at Culzean Castle and all power and telephones cut off. More trees are down at Brodick Castle, with some damage to boundary walls and railings. No other damage reports so far but it’s very likely there will also have been trees down at other Trust properties.

However, the main problem is the damage to Hutchesons' Hall in central Glasgow. The damage has been caused by the collapse of the gable wall of an adjacent building. (this is a new building put up three years ago and leased to Glasgow City Council)

Debris has come through the roof of Hutchesons' Hall above the main Hall and may have damaged the ceiling - the roof of the lean-to storage building has been completely demolished.

The damage happened in the middle of the night and the police advised the Trust when the security alarm went off. Glasgow City Council Building Control Department is on site and are managing the safety aspects and securing the buildings.

Hutcheson’s Hall will have to be closed to the public until repairs are carried out.  

Pictured here is Project Co-ordinator Alexander Bennett welcoming the very first visitor, 79 year old Sonia Cameron Jacks from Ardersier, who was presented with a special bottle of Culloden Cream to mark the occasion.

“It was a big surprise. I really did think I would be late,” she said. “I think it’s been beautifully designed. More people will come flocking to the centre, especially visitors from abroad.

“There is a lot of modern technology here, which I think will attract younger people.”

Key highlights include: the battle zone with an impressive battlefield table where, as the clouds part, the events of the battle are played out before your eyes; the battle theatre where you can start to imagine just what it was like to be at the centre of the action on 16 April 1746 and the interactive Battlefield guide, which automatically triggers information to your hand held device, as you tour the battlefield at your own pace.

A range of key objects displayed in striking glass cases complete the groundbreaking exhibition, housed within the modern new centre.

The centre is open throughout the Winter 10am – 4pm (November - March) and Summer 9am – 6pm. (April – October) Please note it will close towards the end of January for one week only, to allow the safe demolition of the old Culloden centre.

For more information please visit the National Trust for Scotland's microsite at www.culloden.org.uk


Pictures
Duncan Cook, Culloden’s Living History presenter at the one of the exhibition’s interactive character stations

First visitor 79-year-old Sonia Cameron Jacks from Ardersier with Alexander Bennett, Culloden project coordinator for NTS

Sonia Cameron having tea in the centre’s new restaurant with Jacobite Charlie Murray Beattie from Avoch.