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.  

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 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.
 

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.”