William Alexander, 11th Duke of Hamilton (1811–63)

Regional Curator Sarah Beattie is back with another blog exploring the lives of some of the Hamilton family, and the impact they had on the building, collections and interiors at Brodick Castle.

Facing Our Past at Malleny Garden

As part of our Facing Our Past project, we take a look at the Scotts of Malleny and their connections to the West Indies.

The island that time never forgot

Newly published research has revealed how archaeologists discovered evidence of inhabitation over 2,000 years ago on St Kilda.

Hebridean fleas, false teeth and fine dirigibles

A new Radio 3 documentary and some newly uncovered letters cast further light on Margaret Fay Shaw’s life in South Uist in the 1930s.

Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s Polish ancestors

We take a look at Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s maternal ancestors, to see if they offer any clues to the famous Jacobite’s character traits.

Bonnie Prince Charlie’s early years

Bonnie Prince Charlie has captured people’s imaginations throughout the centuries. Here we take a look at his childhood.

Susan, Duchess of Hamilton (1786–1859)

Join Regional Curator Sarah Beattie as she continues to explore the lives of the Hamilton family and the impact they had on the building, collections and interiors at Brodick Castle.

Facing Our Past at Fyvie Castle

As part of our Facing Our Past project, we take a look at the Forbes-Leith family and their American connections.

A path to the past

Craigievar Castle was once adjoined by a lower enclosing wall, known in Scots as a barmkin. Our installation of new paving and interpretation panels help to tell the story of this ‘lost wall’.

Hogmanay in the Highlands

Find out more about the origins of our Hogmanay traditions and how this night may have been celebrated at Brodie Castle in the Scottish Highlands.

A tale of two champions: the fight for freedom

In the second part of our blog, Regional Curator Sarah Beattie takes a closer look at the lives of Molineaux and his trainer, and their experiences as black boxers in Britain in the early 1800s.

Pioneering Spirit: Illicit whisky stills at Mar Lodge Estate

In partnership with The Glenlivet, the National Trust for Scotland has begun investigating the scale and impact of illicit whisky production in Scotland, commencing with survey work at Mar Lodge Estate.

Colonial power and profit at Leith Hall

As part of our Facing Our Past project, we take a look at the Leith-Hay and Leith families of Leith Hall, and their links to the West Indies.

Turf times as building material search gets underway

Historic building material is needed for our Glencoe recreation of a 17th-century dwelling.

The past in the post

Agnes Toward, of the Tenement House, held onto many letters throughout her life, from which we can learn about bygone eras.

William Beckford (1760–1844): part two

Regional Curator Sarah Beattie continues her series, looking at the lives of some of the Hamilton family and exploring the impact they had on the building, collections and interiors at Brodick Castle. This time she examines the later life of William Beckford.

Trust places during wartime

As we remember the fallen of both world wars, and in conflicts since, we take a look at Trust places that were affected by war and its aftermath.

Remembering the sinking of the ‘William Humphries’

Find out more about the story of Canna’s war grave and the tragic sinking of the steam trawler ‘William Humphries’, hit by a U-boat in 1939.

William Beckford (1760–1844): part one

Regional Curator Sarah Beattie continues her series, looking at the lives of some of the Hamilton family and exploring the impact they had on the building, collections and interiors at Brodick Castle. This time she examines the early life of William Beckford.

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