NEWS

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.”
 

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.
 

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.”

 

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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.”