NEWS

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Many perceptions of the National Trust for Scotland are out of date and do not portray what the Trust stands for in 2008.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 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.

 

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.  

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.