Judith, a new volunteer at Castle Fraser in the North East of Scotland, shares her first impressions of volunteering with the National Trust for Scotland. "Volunteering was the easy part. Castle Fraser staff and management were warm and welcoming. Doing some preliminary reading was the tricky bit. How on earth would I distinguish one Fraser from another?"

"Colonel Charles • he of the wooden leg and 14 children • was blessedly distinctive. But, earlier generations, sharing the same name and often muddying the waters by remarrying and dying young, left me baffled! In between times, I paced around my kitchen, declaiming “WELCOME to the Great Hall” to the cat."

"I felt sick with anxiety that first morning, my entire confidence resting on the fact that I would be in the Great Hall, which I had researched thoroughly. However, badge on, guide book clasped like a security blanket, I soon realised that visitors were there not to trip me up but because they had a love for and interest in such historic places, and were genuinely interested in anything to I might tell them. Often, they were a little weary by weather, winding stairs, or simply a surfeit of holidays. Many just wanted to chat and I found some were touchingly diverted by little things • cones on the chairs instead of the stern Do Not Touch signs of other places."

"For me, the great gift has been meeting so many interesting people from all over the world, and hearing their stories. Often, I feel they give me a lot more than I give them. And I love feeling part of this peaceful yet vibrant place. It feels a real privilege to walk through the gardens, to push open the heavy wooden tower door, walk up the stone staircase and help open the shutters for another day."

"As for my first day • it passed in a bit of a haze, but paradoxically I found my confidence in the midst of a shattering thunderstorm, which cut the electricity, flooded the courtyard and required a 999 call. I worried that visitors would be disappointed by a ruined visit. Not a bit of it. Tourists, many of whom had travelled halfway round the world for a shot of real Scottish culture, disregarded all the castle’s fine old treasures in favour of a long, awestruck gawp at a fire engine."

Marie Buckley, Property Manager at Castle Fraser adds " This property is a very special place not only for the vast natural and cultural heritage which we look after and share with the public here but also for the warm welcome rooted in passion that our staff and volunteers such as Judith bring to the property. Everyone has a talent or skill which they can share so anybody who would like to volunteer is welcome to get in touch."

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