Winter with the Trust

A piper stands outside Burns Cottage, playing. It is evening and the cottage is lit up, making its white walls glow orange.

2026 is here! This is a wonderful time of year to explore our beautiful places, make special memories with family and friends, and celebrate the 267th birthday of Scotland’s National Bard.

Explore

We have the recipe for the perfect start to the year in Scotland:

Walks to blow away the cobwebs, with gorgeous views
Cosy castles and museums with fascinating stories to discover
A wide range of winter wildlife
Delicious hot drinks and tasty treats in our cafés and tearooms

Mix together to enjoy very special experiences all across Scotland with family and friends!

Plan your next visit today

A red squirrel stands on its hind legs, with its ears pricked, looking at the camera. It is standing on a branch thickly blanketed in snow.

Image: Laurie Campbell

Winter walks

Winter wildlife

Our cafés and tearooms

Burns Night events

We are very excited to host a range of events celebrating Burns Night at places across Scotland, including the birthplace of Robert Burns.

Drive-thru Burns Suppers
Big Birthday Bash
Theatre shows
Poetry readings
Concerts

Take a look at our curated collection

A man stands up at a table to give a speech. He is at a Burns Supper being held in Burns Cottage.

Lochlea Prize Draw

Win a cask of Lochlea Single Malt Whisky.

Enter today

Two long rows of whisky barrels, one on top of the other, stand in a large warehouse space at a distillery.

A white thatched cottage stands on the side of a road with a blue sky background.

Fun at home

If the snow’s too deep to make it out for a Burns Supper, you can hold your own at home!

Celebrating Burns Night

A guide to celebrating Scotland’s national poet on Burns Night ... and beyond!

Family craft: tea-stained Address to a Haggis scroll

Burns Night is celebrated on 25 January, and traditionally Robert Burns‘s ‘Address to a Haggis’ is read out. Before the big night, you can make a scroll, so your family‘s address looks extra impressive!

Tam o’ Shanter

This epic poem about witches and ghouls is a fantastic celebration of Burns’s hometown of Alloway, and demonstrates his love of the traditional tales he was told as a child.

Traditional Scottish recipes

Perfect for Burns Night!

Recipe: Scott’s haggis sausage rolls from Culzean

Try our delicious hearty sausage rolls with a twist, created by Scott Murdoch, Head Chef at Culzean Castle & Country Park.

Burns Night recipe – leftover haggis nachos

Our leftover haggis nachos are great for sharing after Burns Night on 25 January.

Recipe: Scott’s cranachan from Culzean

Scott Murdoch, Head Chef at Culzean Castle & Country Park shares his recipe for cranachan — a boozy, fruity delight with whisky, raspberries, oats, cream and homemade redcurrant jelly.

Gifting

Celebrate the Bard in style with our Burns Night gift collection. From Scottish poetry books and themed keepsakes to exclusive bottles of whisky, we have the perfect range for any Burns Supper host or fan.

100% of our profits go towards protecting Scotland’s heritage.

A collection of items to do with Robert Burns are displayed beside a cardboard gift box with a red ribbon tied in a bow. Items include a book of Burns poems, a black and white check tie, a miniature bottle of whisky and a small drinking glass.

A bottle of whisky stands beside the card cylinder it is packaged in. Both feature a picture of Robert Burns.

The front cover of a book of poems, called Burns for Every Day of the Year. It is compiled by Dr Pauline MacKay. It has a navy background and features bright illustrations of flowers, feathers, reeds and a mouse.

Online shop

Enjoy browsing through our fabulous collections. 100% of our profits go towards protecting Scotland’s heritage.

Shop now

Winter getaways

At the National Trust for Scotland, we offer over 60 self-catering places to stay.

Whether you’re seeking a romantic couple’s getaway, a family holiday with play parks on your doorstep or hosting a big get-together, browse our collection of breathtaking estates, country lodges, magnificent castles, cosy cottages and internationally acclaimed gardens to see what property takes your fancy.

Explore our holiday accommodation