Hitting the road for the love of Scotland

The Italian historian and archaeologist set out on 28 July on a massive trek which will take in no fewer than 23 National Trust for Scotland places.

The entire journey is set to take an epic 34 days and is Edoardo’s response to the recent COVID-19 crisis, which closed many of the Trust’s properties nationwide and led to staff being put on furlough.

Edoardo has been raising funds along the way, and many of the people he has been meeting on the road have donated and offered him a helping hand.

‘We wanted to bring the sparkle back to the National Trust of Scotland because this has been a difficult time’, said Edoardo.

‘We’ve been suffering because our places have been closed and we couldn’t welcome visitors, which is something we need and love. Heritage is for everyone and we want to make sure people remember that even though our properties may be closed they can still go and walk around the garden or estate. The closure of the buildings doesn’t mean that people can’t enjoy the history of the place.’

Edoardo set out from Crathes Castle with one of his colleagues from Haddo House, Daria Phoenix, and their route took in properties including Barry Mill in Angus, before making their way south to Edinburgh.

Unfortunately, Daria was forced to take a break on health advice just as the pair were reaching Kellie Castle near Pittenweem, although she hopes to rejoin Edoardo later in the trek.

From the capital, Edoardo cut across the central belt, bound for Glasgow and the Tenement House. From there he will stride out into Ayrshire and across to Arran, before coming back to the mainland, looping around through Bannockburn and the Ochils, and finally returning ‘home’ to Haddo House.