2020 media releases

The Trust's updated Marine Policy has just been published.

Supporters of local heritage are being sought by the National Trust for Scotland’s Kellie Castle & Garden in Pittenweem, Fife to help play their part in bringing the castle’s fascinating history to life for visitors and support the valuable work of the gardening team.

An historic violin with links to Robert Burns is being taken out on a tour of the US this January, as part of celebrations for the Bard’s birthday.

National Trust for Scotland Chief Executive Simon Skinner will retire in May after five years at the head of the conservation charity.

Staff from the conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland have expressed horror at deliberate damage caused to the historic Preston Mill in East Lothian.

As the world centre for Robert Burns, complete with the cottage he was born in and the home of more than 5,000 Burns artefacts, there’s nowhere better to celebrate his birthday than Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway.

The National Trust for Scotland’s Castle Fraser is set to host a special Burns day celebration with a special whisky tasting to celebrate the works of the National Bard.

Drum Castle, National Trust for Scotland’s majestic 700-year-old medieval Aberdeenshire castle, is to host a unique Burns-themed murder mystery.

For the first time ever, Newhailes Estate in Musselburgh is celebrating the life of Scotland’s National Bard with a Burns Supper Drive Thru.

For the first time ever, Bannockburn near Stirling is celebrating the life of Scotland’s National Bard with a Burns Supper Drive Thru.

WWE superstar and local hero Drew McIntyre enjoyed a special homecoming – paying a visit to Robert Burns Birthplace Museum ahead of Burns Night.

Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland is offering an unusual holiday experience for 2020 – the chance to help build a replica 17th-century turf house at Glencoe Visitor Centre. Informed by archaeological discoveries, it will help give a glimpse of how people once lived in Scotland’s most famous glen.

The National Trust for Scotland is asking Scots to show their love for Glencoe this February, with the launch of Hug of Heather, a new fundraising campaign to thatch the roof on its recreated turf house.

Ahead of the Scottish Government’s first Culture Strategy for 20 years, the National Trust for Scotland has published new public opinion research on current cultural activity in Scotland, and the barriers to its development.

The National Trust for Scotland surveyed the public to gather their views on Scottish culture and the barriers and benefits it brings.

Fife residents can enjoy free entry to the National Trust for Scotland’s Falkland Palace on Saturday 29 February.

The National Trust for Scotland and Lidl have teamed up to give families a warm feeling this winter, thanks to some special offers in their Lidl Book of Big Adventures.

Goya’s ‘Los Disparates’ exhibition at Pollok House is now entering its final month, with the prolific Spanish painter’s eerie etchings being shown as a complete collection for the final time.

The National Trust for Scotland’s Hill House shop and its specially commissioned range of products from Glasgow company Hole in My Pocket have been announced as finalists in the Association for Cultural Enterprises awards.

Gladstone’s Land, the National Trust for Scotland’s Royal Mile townhouse, is undergoing a £1.4 million transformation over the next few months.

Conservationists for the National Trust for Scotland are celebrating 25 years of protecting and restoring the ancient pine forests in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park with the launch of Pinewood Gin, a brand new gin with a clear conservation message.

Thatcher Dave Brooks adds the final sheaf of wheat to the roof of Burns Cottage in Alloway.

Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland has announced today that its Senior Managers and Trustees have proactively decided to keep gated properties (historic buildings, visitor centres, visitor facilities, cafes, shops and toilets) closed and suspend all events across the country with effect from Friday 20 March 2020.

Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland has announced its latest actions in response to the ongoing Coronavirus public health emergency.

The shop at National Trust for Scotland’s Hill House in Helensburgh today (Friday 27 March) has been announced as the best in the country by the Association for Cultural Enterprises, beating London’s Science Museum and The Globe Theatre.

The National Trust for Scotland is on a mission to find Scotland’s favourite animal and is asking people to vote for their favourite, in the inaugural Scottish Animal World Cup, starting this week.

Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland has announced that it is to appoint Philip Long OBE, currently Director of V&A Dundee, as Chief Executive once Simon Skinner retires in July.

New research commissioned by conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland shows that more than half of Scots have never heard of the Declaration of Arbroath. Published today (Monday 6 April) on the 700th anniversary of signing of the document, the research shows that 51% of Scots had not heard of the Declaration.

The National Trust for Scotland has welcomed the first female wheatears at St Abb’s Head Nature Reserve in Eyemouth. Often known as a harbinger of spring, the wheatear has the longest migration of any small bird in the world with a return journey of 18,640 miles from sub-Saharan Africa.

The public can hear rare snippets of haunting Gaelic songs inspired by the Jacobite cause today, as conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland prepares to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Culloden on Thursday 16 April.

Brodie Castle’s head gardener has created a series of videos from the property to offer those in lockdown some gardening tips and inspiration.

A selection of images from the Trust's archive show how to stay safe during lockdown.

The walled garden at the National Trust for Scotland’s Culzean Castle holds an interesting past. In 1874, David Murray took on the role of head gardener to Archibald Kennedy, 3rd Marquess of Ailsa and was instrumental in enabling Culzean Castle to grow a collection of rare and exotic plants from across the globe.

The National Trust for Scotland, the country’s largest and oldest conservation charity, has announced a series of emergency actions designed to ensure its survival during the coronavirus pandemic and its aftermath.

The team at the National Trust for Scotland has been working hard during lockdown to ensure some of Scotland’s most precious places and spaces are cared for and preserved. That includes Preston Mill, one of Lothian’s last working grain mills, whose water wheel is captured here being turned for the first time in six weeks.

Tenement flats have provided homes to Glaswegians since the 1800s. The blonde and red sandstone buildings are instantly recognisable, and inside there are decorative features and hidden spaces which are steeped in history.

Hospitals, food banks and community groups around Scotland have answered the call from the National Trust for Scotland to find homes for thousands of chocolate eggs unused after the cancellation of the charity’s annual Easter egg hunt due to Covid-19.

Scotland’s largest conservation charity has signalled its intent to oppose a new attempt to develop TreeTop Stables, Faebuie, Culloden Moor as a holiday complex.

Resources on the Jacobite Risings, Mary, Queen of Scots and the Battle of Bannockburn have been made available to school teachers and pupils on Google Classroom by conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland.

The National Trust for Scotland cares for and protects 70 gardens and designed landscapes, 38 of which are some of the most important gardens in Scotland.

Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland has revealed its proposals to begin re-opening properties as and when allowed by the Scottish Government’s ‘route map’ away from coronavirus lockdown.

The National Trust for Scotland is launching a new Save our Scotland campaign as it calls for its members, donors and the general public to help it safeguard the future of its properties, natural heritage sites, designed landscapes and conservation projects.

One of Scotland’s most famous faces has donated his time and iconic Scottish voice to the National Trust for Scotland’s new SOS appeal TV advert.

Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland is preparing to welcome visitors at dozens of gardens and estates across the country, as lockdown continues to ease.

Philip Long OBE starts his new job as Chief Executive at the National Trust for Scotland today (1 July).

From Monday 6 July, around 30 gardens and estates around the country owned and cared for by the charity the National Trust for Scotland will reopen to the public for the first time since they closed in March due to the coronavirus emergency. Two of the most popular properties will also be introducing timed entry to manage numbers and maintain safe physical distancing.

National Trust for Scotland members and the general public have rallied behind the charity’s emergency fundraising appeal, so far donating more than £1.6 million to Save Our Scotland.

Bespoke Highland tartan designer and creator Prickly Thistle has teamed up with the National Trust for Scotland to create a bespoke tartan in support of the conservation charity’s emergency fundraising appeal.

• Playparks, visitor centres and cafes at certain Trust properties are now open to the public • The Playful Garden at Brodie Castle and Isle Be Wild at Brodick Country Park welcomed a weekend of visitors • Booking system in place for Culloden Visitor Centre, Robert Smail’s Printing Works and Preston Mill • Visitor centre and café at Glencoe, Glenfinnan and Inverewe now open

• Playparks, visitor centres and cafes at certain Trust properties are now open to the public • The Playful Garden at Brodie Castle welcomed a weekend of visitors • Booking system in place for Culloden Visitor Centre

• Playparks, visitor centres and cafes at certain Trust properties are now open to the public • Visitor centre at Inverewe now open

• Playparks, visitor centres and cafes at certain Trust properties are now open to the public • Isle Be Wild at Brodick Country Park welcomed a weekend of visitors

• Playparks, visitor centres and cafes at certain Trust properties are now open to the public • Booking system in place for Preston Mill

• Playparks, visitor centres and cafes at certain Trust properties are now open to the public • Booking system in place for Robert Smail’s Printing Works

The National Trust for Scotland is urging people to Stride out for Scotland, enjoy our increased freedom and help the charity continue its vital work protecting the nation’s most treasured places. The charity is launching this latest initiative to encourage people to get outside and enjoy walking in some of Scotland’s most beautiful and breathtaking scenery, while fundraising for its SOS appeal.

Adventurer, world record breaker and renowned cyclist Mark Beaumont talks favourite routes, amazing spaces and ambitious lockdown projects in the latest ‘For the Love of Scotland’ podcast from the National Trust for Scotland.

Scotland’s National Bard prepares for the reopening of Robert Burns Birthplace Museum to the public. A statue of the poet inside the museum has been given his very own face covering as visitors are welcomed back to the poet’s birthplace in Alloway.

The National Trust for Scotland has offered ‘profound thanks’ to the Scottish Government after it announced financial support that will help the conservation charity avoid a feared worst-case scenario arising from Covid-19 and save 197 jobs.

Following an announcement that the Scottish Government has made a financial contribution of £3.8 million towards the National Trust for Scotland in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, the charity has confirmed what this will mean for its properties in Argyll, Ayrshire, Arran, Greater Glasgow and Dumfries & Galloway, as well as across the rest of the nation.

Following an announcement that the Scottish Government has made a financial contribution of £3.8 million towards the National Trust for Scotland in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, the charity has confirmed what this will mean for Edinburgh, Fife, the Lothians, Stirlingshire, Perthshire and the Scottish Borders, as well as across the rest of the nation.

Following an announcement that the Scottish Government has made a financial contribution of £3.8 million towards the National Trust for Scotland in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, the charity has confirmed what this will mean for its properties in the Glasgow area and across the nation.

Following an announcement that the Scottish Government has made a financial contribution of £3.8 million towards the National Trust for Scotland in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, the charity has confirmed what this will mean for its properties in the Highlands & Islands and across the nation.

Following an announcement that the Scottish Government has made a financial contribution of £3.8 million towards the National Trust for Scotland in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, the charity has confirmed what this will mean for its properties in the North East and Angus and across the nation as a whole.

The National Trust for Scotland has confirmed that Broughton House and Garden in Kirkcudbright, which was expected to remain closed in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, is to open again this month.

The final Jacobite uprising of 1745 and how it helped shape the world we live in today is examined in a new podcast, released today by the National Trust for Scotland. Today (19 August) marks the 275th anniversary of the raising of the Royal Standard at Glenfinnan by Bonnie Prince Charlie and the start of what would be the Stuart’s final attempt to regain the British throne.

The National Trust for Scotland is getting back to its vital conservation work this month, beginning a nationwide effort to eradicate invasive plants.

A National Trust for Scotland supporter, whose family has links to when the charity was founded, has today (26 August) embarked on a 3,000 mile cycle across the US to raise funds for the conservation charity.

The country’s most handsome hounds have been Striding Out For Scotland and striking a pose at famous Scottish landmarks on International Dog Day 2020 (Wednesday 26 August). The dogs were snapped as the National Trust for Scotland, the charity which cares for some of the nation’s most treasured buildings and places, this week announced that 33 of its built heritage properties will re-open this year having closed due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

A gate along the River Esk is now home to a colourful kingfisher mural after the National Trust for Scotland commissioned a street artist from Kilmarnock to cover up graffiti tags.

The National Trust for Scotland has published a new footpath etiquette guide to keep walkers safe and address the damage social distancing has caused to the nation’s trails and pathways.

Glasgow locals Suzanne Devine and Lorna Davidson have joined National Trust for Scotland members from across Scotland in a video campaign to help protect Scotland’s heritage.

Aberdeenshire father and daughter Graeme and Merryn Benson have joined National Trust for Scotland members across the country in a video campaign to protect Scotland’s heritage. The film sees members pledge their continued support for the conservation charity to ensure that Scotland’s history and heritage are looked after for future generations to enjoy. The film can be viewed here.

Local Auchterarder child Harrison Bloch has joined National Trust for Scotland members in a video campaign to help protect Scotland’s heritage. The film sees members pledge their continued support for the conservation charity to ensure that Scotland’s history and heritage are looked after for future generations to enjoy. The film can be viewed here.

The National Trust for Scotland’s Priorwood Garden in Melrose is now home to 11 willow sculptures that will be on display until the end of October.

Scotland’s largest conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland is teaming up with Naked Wines, a customer-funded wine business, to highlight and celebrate the nation’s craftsmen and women.

The walled garden at the National Trust for Scotland’s Culzean Castle is now home to three new willow sculptures. The sculptures celebrate the garden as a productive space that boasts a variety of fruit and vegetables that are sold and used in the café on the estate.

The National Trust for Scotland is encouraging visitors to explore a series of six Hidden History Trails, which uncover Scotland’s secret past and reveal traces of our distant past.

One of Dumfries & Galloway’s most beautiful gardens has been included in a list of six Hidden History Trails, which uncover Scotland’s secret past. Threave Garden & Estate features in the National Trust for Scotland’s Hidden History Trails.

Two of the east coast’s gems have been included in a series of six Hidden History Trails, which uncover Scotland’s secret past. Newhailes House and Gardens in Musselburgh and St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve in Eyemouth feature in the National Trust for Scotland’s Hidden History Trails.

A lochside path, which allows people to follow in Rob Roy McGregor’s footsteps along the banks of Loch Lomond, has been included in a list of six Hidden History Trails which uncover Scotland’s secret past. The Kiltyrie Hidden History Trail at Ben Lawers tells the stories of the forgotten community who once called the area around the loch home and features in the National Trust for Scotland’s new series of Hidden History Trails.

The season is upon us and the hunt officially on to find your champion conker.

Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland and Lidl GB have teamed up to create a first-of-its-kind, eye-popping augmented reality 3D model of one of the country’s most picturesque and petite castles, Craigievar.

With thousands of apples and pears ready for picking, the National Trust for Scotland’s Pitmedden Garden near Ellon adapted its annual fruit picking event to offer Scotland’s first ever drive-thru harvest.

It is one of the iconic sights in Scottish wildlife, the final desperate stages in an epic journey which has taken them from river to ocean and back again.

Autumn has always been a season for long walks, with the crunch of crisp leaves beneath you, but strolls along Scotland’s beaches truly offer insight into how the world changes as winter creeps closer.

Autumn is the season for spotting red squirrels as they come down in search of supplies to build their winter stores.

The National Trust for Scotland wants to thank members and donors from around the world as donations to its Save our Scotland Appeal reach £3.4 million.

Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland has the perfect gift range for folk looking for gifts that give something back this Christmas.

Winter has arrived and already the Central Belt has seen snowfall and its first icy snap. Lockdown has inspired many Scots to get out and enjoy the country’s nature reserves, parks and landscapes, but as we enter that most wonderful time of the year and a nip enters the air, that doesn’t mean that we should all hide indoors.

The National Trust for Scotland have transformed the grounds at Brodie Castle to welcome visitors beyond daylight hours.

A massive increase in visitors to Scotland’s hills has caused damage to footpaths on a scale never seen before, according to conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland. The most popular routes have seen a doubling of numbers and rapid erosion is at risk of causing irreparable damage.

The National Trust for Scotland is thanking members and donors from Scotland, the UK and around the world as donations to its Save our Scotland Appeal exceed £3.4 million.

Scottish stage and screen icon Brian Cox has thanked the thousands of people across Scotland – and the world - who rallied to support the National Trust for Scotland, raising over £3.4 million to support its vital work.

New signage has been installed at the National Trust for Scotland’s Pineapple near Falkirk, thanks to the support of a generous US donor, the charity has confirmed on Thanksgiving Day.

Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland has launched one of its more unusual ‘appeals’ as it seeks landowners to donate turf to help reconstruct a traditional turf-walled ‘creel’ house in Glencoe.

A record number of seal pups have been recorded by National Trust for Scotland Rangers at St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve during the annual breeding season.