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