2025 media releases

Work to protect the habitat of rare dragonfly and damselfly species has been carried out at Castle Fraser in Aberdeenshire by the National Trust for Scotland.

Less than a year after launching the Robert Burns collection online, the National Trust for Scotland has revealed the five relics of the bard’s life that have most captured people's attention.

The National Trust for Scotland has launched an appeal to support emergency work needed to deal with the devastating destruction caused by Storm Éowyn at dozens of the special places it cares for across the country.

The National Trust for Scotland has partnered with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to produce digital scans and 3D models of the precious plasterwork ceilings at Kellie Castle, creating hands-on engagement for visitors and ensuring the long-term conservation of these historic features.

The National Trust for Scotland team at Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve is celebrating the discovery of a rare and threatened fly species affectionately known as the Arctic Wave Dancer (Wiedemmania simplex) at a new site on the reserve.

A longstanding member and previous Chairman of the Aberdeen & District Members’ Centre has received The National Trust for Scotland’s President’s Award for 50 years of service.

A host of Edinburgh’s literary talent turned out to celebrate the launch of a new second-hand book shop at the Georgian House in the heart of the capital.

The Antiques Roadshow is set to come to Hill of Tarvit on Tuesday 8th July 2025, and is searching for forgotten family heirlooms and missing masterpieces to feature in the programme.

A long-lost mourning ring, engraved with the name, birth date and death date of Victorian era Scottish geologist, writer and social justice campaigner, Hugh Miller, is set to go on display at Hugh Miller’s Birthplace Cottage & Museum in Cromarty for the first time this March.

A Scottish archaeology team has been awarded Current Archaeology’s ‘Archaeological Research Project of the Year’ for their exploration of nineteenth century Highland whisky production.

The National Trust for Scotland is embarking on an ambitious project to record all the ancient, veteran and notable trees across its entire estate to secure the future survival of these important living relics.

The National Trust for Scotland and theatremaker James Clements are collaborating on the Burns Project, a new theatrical production inspired by the life and works of Robert Burns.

The National Trust for Scotland is hopping into spring as it hosts 40 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care in April.

A new education project by the National Trust for Scotland is inspiring local school pupils to consider a future career in heritage thanks to the history of Fyvie Castle.

One of the largest single gifts by a living donor in the National Trust for Scotland’s history has supported the restoration work of a water-powered mill in Angus, that will see it start milling flour again.

The National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust have teamed up to give an insight into the complexity of the Battle of Culloden in a pair of podcasts this April.

The National Trust for Scotland is celebrating the completion of a horticultural audit of more than 77,000 living plants, the largest in the conservation charity’s history.

A writing desk designed at the turn of the 20th century by Charles Rennie Mackintosh has returned to the Hill House, its original home, where visitors can see this incredible work of design and craftmanship in its authentic context.

Hugh Miller’s Birthplace Cottage and Museum has partnered with Cromarty Arts Trust to reimagine 19th century geologist and writer Hugh Miller and his wife Lydia, bringing them to life with new facial depictions created by award-winning forensic artist Dr Maria Maclennan.

The National Trust for Scotland’s team at Threave Garden and Nature Reserve in Dumfries and Galloway has begun vital targeted habitat restoration and enhancement work to ensure the survival and success of their resident Willow Tit population.

The National Trust for Scotland is inspiring and encouraging local school pupils to consider a future career in heritage thanks to the educational Workforce for the Future project and the rich history of Brodie Castle.

What could’ve been confused for a scene from an action-packed Hollywood blockbuster was just a normal day for the National Trust for Scotland, as its specialists abseiled down the sides of a perilous gorge to tackle invasive plant species at a Highlands beauty spot.

The Threave School of Heritage Gardening is celebrating its 65th anniversary, and more than six decades of training horticultural experts who have gone on to shape many of the country’s finest gardens.

The National Trust for Scotland is welcoming its first visitors following the completion of a nine-year programme of repair and restoration to Canna House, the former home of dedicated Gaelic scholars John Lorne Campbell and Margaret Fay Shaw.

Cultural historian Dr Robyne Calvert will shine a light on the lesser-known romantic inspirations behind the beautiful interiors at the National Trust for Scotland’s Mackintosh at the Willow with a special talk on Sunday 6 July, International Kissing Day – a celebration of romance and affection.

The National Trust for Scotland is unveiling ‘Paul Furneaux: North by East,’ a specially curated exhibition of works by the internationally acclaimed printmaker Paul Furneaux RSA, opening from 19 June until late October at Drum Castle, Garden and Estate, near Peterculter, Aberdeenshire.

Scotland’s Landscape Alliance (SLA), a coalition of 60 organisations straddling many different sectors of Scotland’s economy and society has today released a refreshed Charter. This promotes understanding of the critical contribution Scotland’s landscapes make to our lives.

A major repairs project has completed on Staffa after battling extreme wind, rain, and waves to upgrade the landing jetty and improve accessibility to one of Scotland’s most beloved islands.

National Trust for Scotland Chair Sir Mark Jones has today announced that the charity achieved its highest visitor numbers in its 90+ year history in 2024/5. The conservation charity that cares for, shares and speaks up for Scotland’s heritage welcomed more than 5.6 million visitors between 1 March 2024 and 28 February 2025 – an increase of 1.1 million on the previous year.

An actress from Banchory Devenick, Aberdeenshire with an uncanny resemblance to a member of Drum Castle’s Irvine family has helped the National Trust for Scotland engage young people with their local heritage.

A rare 19th century musical game, one of only three known to still be in existence, is going on display to the public for the first time at the Georgian House in Charlotte Square, Edinburgh as part of a new exhibition by the National Trust for Scotland.

Latest investigations conducted by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists and local volunteers at Brodick Castle on the Isle of Arran have recovered a range of historical artefacts, including a 17th-century silver coin.

The National Trust for Scotland welcomed more than two million people to its countryside locations in 2024, its highest ever figures in a record-breaking year for the conservation charity.

Members of the community gathered on Friday 4 July at Robert Smail's Printing Works in Innerleithen to celebrate the opening of a new bridge across the Mill Lade.

Mackintosh at the Willow is keeping cool this summer by sharing the Glasgow Style in a series of hands-on activities for families.

A host of exciting summer activities are on offer as part of the new Playful Summer at Newhailes House & Gardens, providing the perfect way to celebrate the season and create happy memories with loved ones.

Scotland’s largest conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland has today announced a multi-million-pound masterplan to transform one of the country’s most significant historic sites.

The National Trust for Scotland is unveiling a dress worn by the character Geillis Duncan in “Outlander” at Culross Palace in Fife as it shines a spotlight on film tourism for the first time.

The Isle of Canna Community Development Trust (IoCCDT) has celebrated the opening of the new Canna Visitor Hub, where a range of facilities are now available for visitors.

As part of The National Trust for Scotland’s vital seabird conservation work, the charity has completed its first drone census of the Northern gannet population at St Kilda, which has revealed it is now home to the world’s largest colony of this seabird.

A coalition of leading Scottish heritage and design organisations have been successful in buying the Bernat Klein Studio at auction today, saving the modernist masterpiece for the nation.

The National Trust for Scotland is proudly celebrating the 75th anniversary of Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve coming into its care. Within this time, the Trust has developed pioneering restoration work to enhance the renowned and diverse mountain flora and has maintained access to this precious mountain habitat.

Heavy rainfall associated with Storm Floris has caused a significant landslip on the St Kilda World Heritage Site.

Perthshire native Angus Todd has been on the hunt for an elusive butterfly species at some of the region’s most picturesque spots after returning to his role as seasonal ranger with the National Trust for Scotland.

The National Trust for Scotland is playing cupid in a bid to help save a population of relict downy willow trees on one of the most popular Munro’s in the country.

The coastal region around Fair Isle has been awarded Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) status following marine research surveys supported by the National Trust for Scotland.

A schoolgirl from Stirlingshire, and a 10th generation descendant of Robert Burns, paid a special visit to see the book the bard gifted to her six times great grandmother, Elizabeth Burns, removed from its case for the first time in a decade.

An 1855 letter written by Charles Darwin to Scottish geologist Hugh Miller requesting his research data on fossil shellfish, is now on display inside Hugh Miller’s Birthplace Museum.

A beloved Victorian school mistress, who has taught and terrified generations of Glasgow pupils during school visits, is carrying on her lessons through Mackintosh at the Willow’s school engagement programme.