The coastline of Scotland is one of its greatest assets. From the estuaries and firths of the east coast to the dramatically indented sea lochs of the west and the sparkling archipelagos of the northern and western isles, the length and complexity is unequalled in the world. The coast is also of immense economic importance: 70% of the population live within 10km of the coast and many subsist on the traditional industries of fishing and shipping. More recently, tourism has taken over as the number-one earner and it, too, has a heavy reliance on the coastal areas.

the National Trust for Scotland has 21 properties around Scotland's coast, including many of national, European or global importance. The islands include St Kilda National Nature Reserve, Scotland's first World Heritage Site; Staffa National Nature Reserve; Iona, the cradle of Christianity in Scotland; Mingulay, Berneray and Pabbay, uninhabited gems at the southern extremity of the Western Isles. Fair Isle is Scotland’s most remote inhabited island, and Canna is a haven for the traditional Gaelic way of life as well as for wildlife. The Trust also owns parts of Unst, Arran and Mull, and many smaller islands, including Shieldaig Island, Murray's Isles and Rough Island.

On the mainland, coastal properties include St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve, part of Montrose Basin Local Nature Reserve, Kintail, Balmacara, Torridon, Inverewe, Strome Castle, Culzean Country Park, Rockcliffe, Parklea and Arduaine Garden.

The Trust also helps to conserve coastal properties owned by other people through 'Conservation Agreements'. These can be found at Tongue, Durness, Dundonnell, Dunollie, Inchmarnock, North Berwick, Gosford and Elie. The maritime history of many of the coastal fishing villages along the coast of Fife has been safeguarded through the Little Houses Improvement Scheme.

St Abb's Head