2019 media releases

The New Year kicks off with a bang at the National Trust for Scotland’s Hill of Tarvit mansion with exciting music events to brighten up the cold, dark winter evenings.

Filmed on a perfect summer’s day last July, the BBC's Antiques Roadshow’s visit to the National Trust for Scotland’s Crathes Castle is to air this weekend.

Bannockburn Visitor Centre to hold exclusive screening and Q&A with film’s crew. The National Trust for Scotland is holding an exclusive screening of the Netflix blockbuster, Outlaw King, at its Bannockburn Visitor Centre in Stirling on Saturday 26 January.

After the arrival of a 100-tonne mobile tower crane in the early hours of this morning (Monday 21 January), the first steel beams of the ‘Box’ that will protect Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Hill House from driving rain and wind were lowered into place.

Staff at the National Trust for Scotland’s Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway have come up with a tasty new way of celebrating Burns Night – a haggis scone. As visitors from across the world make their way to the museum to honour the Bard’s 260th birthday, the team wanted to offer an alternative way to enjoy the traditional haggis dish.

There’s a unique chance to work at the site of one of Scotland’s most pioneering conservation projects this year - conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland is looking for volunteers and staff to welcome visitors to the Hill House, Helensburgh when its ‘Box’ opens to the public this spring.

Bill Grant, MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock has offered his backing to the National Trust for Scotland’s £100,000 fundraising campaign to protect Burns Cottage before it is damaged.

Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland has hailed its most successful weekend celebration yet of the birth of Robert Burns.

The inner Hebridean islands of Canna and Sanday have emerged as world leaders in the application of digital mapping technology.

A plague of moths is threatening to harm the historic collection at Newhailes House near Musselburgh and the National Trust for Scotland is this week beginning its biggest ever management programme to rid the house of the insatiable insects, combining a deep clean with a deep freeze.

Supporters of local heritage are being sought by the National Trust for Scotland’s Kellie Castle in Pittenweem, Fife to help play their part in sharing the castle’s fascinating history with visitors.

The National Trust for Scotland have reported a 30% increase in visitor numbers to Ayrshire’s Culzean Castle from 2017 to 2018.

The National Trust for Scotland is busy putting the final touches in place as it completes a major refurbishment of its Glencoe Visitor Centre. The centre, including toilets and car park, is now closed to the public while the last stages of work are carried out.

Horticulture student Eilidh Fletcher showed off her new skills when MSP Ken Macintosh visited Greenbank Garden, near Glasgow, at the start of Scottish Apprenticeship Week (4-8 March).

The National Trust for Scotland is from tomorrow (8 March) calling on the public to help restore one of Scotland’s most picturesque mills where some of Outlander’s most memorable scenes were filmed.

Celebrate the beginning of spring at the National Trust for Scotland’s Hill of Tarvit Mansion near Cupar as they host their popular jazz brunch.

There’s an opportunity to be part of the latest chapter of history at the National Trust for Scotland’s Robert Smail’s Printing Works in Innerleithen.

State-of-the-art survey techniques have revealed the severity of water damage to Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s iconic property The Hill House in greater detail than ever before.

Members of the National Trust for Scotland are being offered the opportunity to apply to join the election process for the charity’s Board of Trustees.

Viewers tuning in to the BBC’s latest in their flagship Blue Planet series will see the National Trust for Scotland’s St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve taking a starring role.

The National Trust for Scotland has partnered with Cadbury once again to offer a treat to families looking for Easter fun with Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts taking place across the country from 19–22 April 2019.

In celebration of the life and work of Scottish writer J M Barrie, the National Trust for Scotland is launching a new garden at the author’s birthplace in Kirriemuir with its own unusual hook – a life-size sculpture of Tick Tock the crocodile.

The National Trust for Scotland has successfully crowdfunded the restoration of one of Scotland’s most picturesque mills, where some of Outlander’s most memorable scenes were filmed.

Scottish actor Cherry Campbell was at the National Trust for Scotland’s Pollok House today (Sunday 31 March) to launch a campaign to support young Scots to visit and get inspired by the country’s unique heritage, just in time for the Easter school break.

Rare species thrive in the heritage garden at Inverewe near Poolewe in Wester Ross thanks to the effect of the Gulf Stream. But staff at the National Trust for Scotland property have been astonished at the blooming of what they believe to be a world first: a dazzling, multi-coloured rhododendron.

Neil Oliver, President of the National Trust for Scotland, has thanked the thousands of donors who have supported the campaign to build the Box and save the Hill House, the domestic masterpiece created by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Golfers looking for the ultimate golfing experience need look no further than the National Trust for Scotland’s Kingarrock Hickory Golf Course at the Hill of Tarvit Mansion in Fife.

Hop along to Culzean Castle & Country Park with loved ones this Easter for lots of fun. From 19–22 April, there are plenty of family-friendly activities on offer. And this year, the Easter Bunny has left an egg-stra special surprise, a large golden egg! Families will be given the opportunity to spot the large golden egg and capture a fun photo with it.

The National Trust for Scotland’s Tenement House has enjoyed a spruce up in time for the new season.

Music returns to the National Trust for Scotland’s Hill of Tarvit Mansion this spring with an unusual Easter concert which combines period music and storytelling.

Glencoe’s new-look visitor centre this week welcomed its first guests after a major refurbishment to better tell the story of this world-renowned mountain landscape and National Nature Reserve, which is visited by hundreds of thousands of people every year.

St Kilda, the UK’s only dual UNESCO World Heritage Site, is today inviting the Scottish public to join them in marking World Heritage Day (Thursday 18 April).

Over 60 national organisations will gather on Thursday (25 April) to launch Scotland’s Landscape Alliance which aims to ensure that Scotland cares for, improves and benefits from its landscapes.

A new film celebrating the footage collected by Margaret Fay Shaw will premiere at an event in South Uist on 3 May.

Actor Craig McGinlay and Miss Scotland contender Rachel Flynn are to take on the “Big Stroll” at this year’s Glasgow Kiltwalk on Sunday (28 April 2019), in aid of the National Trust for Scotland.

Flaming torches have been lit and mountains across Scotland have been climbed as the National Trust for Scotland announces a £1.9 million five-year programme of investment to repair and upgrade 273 miles (440km) of upland walking routes.

The real story behind the recent Outlaw King blockbuster will be brought to life at the National Trust for Scotland’s Battle of Bannockburn experience in Stirling this weekend.

Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland is gearing up for a busy summer as it gets ready to launch a series of multi-million pound projects at some of its most popular places.

The National Trust for Scotland is inviting history and archaeology enthusiasts to take part in an exciting dig exposing a site from the Glencoe Massacre of 1692, along with archaeologists and Thistle Camp volunteers in Glencoe this Saturday (Saturday 11 May 2019).

The National Trust for Scotland has discovered what is thought to be the oldest door in any of its properties. Over 400 years old, the door at Craigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire was unveiled at an event last night (Thursday 9 May).

An exciting re-enactment takes place at the National Trust for Scotland’s Newhailes House and Gardens in Musselburgh on 25 & 26 May.

An exciting exhibition of prints by one of Britain’s leading contemporary artists, Cornelia Parker OBE, RA, begins this weekend (18 May 2019) at the National Trust for Scotland’s Pollok House in Glasgow, in partnership with Hayward Touring and the Southbank Centre in London.

Major EU-funded project launches campaign to help protect UK seabird islands.

An ambitious project to protect some of Scotland’s most important woodland plants is getting underway this autumn at the National Trust for Scotland’s Mar Lodge Estate, thanks to the support of players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.

This June, ‘Macbeth the Red’ comes to the National Trust for Scotland’s Geilston Garden, Cardross.

The National Trust for Scotland’s Conservation Volunteers work all year round to support the charity’s efforts to care for Scotland’s natural treasures. The summer season of projects has now been announced and are open to all to take part.

The National Trust for Scotland officially opened its new visitor centre at Glencoe with a VIP event on Friday 31 May. Chief Executive Simon Skinner invited guests from the local community and partners involved in the project to celebrate at the centre, which has received over £1 million of investment to create a more immersive, informative and welcoming gateway to Glencoe

Wrapped in the world’s largest chainmail structure, with walkways snaking over the chimney pots, the National Trust for Scotland opens the doors this week (Friday 7 June) to its most ambitious conservation project yet.

The National Trust for Scotland is making its debut in the world’s biggest arts festival this year – the conservation charity has commissioned a new play inspired by and performed at its Royal Mile townhouse, Gladstone’s Land.

Dads and their children across the country are being invited to dig up the past of one of the country’s most ancient castle grounds, at a special Father’s Day event on 15-16 June held at the National Trust for Scotland’s Brodie Castle in Forres.

This Father’s Day, the National Trust for Scotland’s Holmwood, in Cathcart, will play host to their Father’s Day Activity Day.

The National Trust for Scotland’s Pollok House invites you to come and exercise both body and mind with their Tai Chi and Tea sessions.

Music at the Mansion at the National Trust for Scotland’s Hill of Tarvit has become a regular feature on the Fife events scene, and the series continues with a Midsummer Night’s concert.

A team of archaeologists working at the scene of Scotland’s ‘forgotten’ Jacobite rising have uncovered the first historic remains of the decisive 300-year-old battle which ended James Francis Edward Stuart’s ambitions to take the throne.

Scotland’s largest membership organisation has today opened a ballot to choose four people who will serve on its Board of Trustees.

Culzean Castle’s scenic Fountain Court hosted its first music event in over a decade at the weekend. The Gloamin, a family fun mini festival, attracted over 1,000 people who enjoyed live music and entertainment throughout the night.

One of Scotland’s most historical estates and tourist attractions, Brodick Castle on Arran has re-opened with an exciting revamp, making it the perfect spot for families to visit over the summer.

Fresh from its transformation with the addition of a protective box, the National Trust for Scotland’s Hill House in Helensburgh is gearing up for another transformation as it prepares for its Big Top Day on Sunday 21 July.

Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland has announced that Sir Mark Jones will take over as Chairman of the charity that protects Scotland’s national and natural treasures, when Sir Moir Lockhead steps down in August 2019.

For kids who love to explore, why not take a trip to the National Trust for Scotland’s Culzean Castle for a day of adventures on the Ayrshire coast on Wednesday 10 July. Get ready to splish, splash and splosh during a fun-packed summer event at one of Scotland’s most treasured heritage sites.

Wildlife-loving visitors are invited to join a guided hill-walk in search of red deer and other moorland wildlife in a remote area of northern Arran on Tuesday 16 July 2019 between 10am and 3.30pm.

With acres of thick woodlands, luscious gardens and island charm aplenty, the National Trust for Scotland’s Brodick Castle on Arran is the perfect backdrop for a nature-loving day out. This Wildlife Week, 15-20 July, Brodick Country Park Rangers are running special events at their nature hide every day, giving visitors the chance to spot one of Scotland’s most treasured woodland animals – the red squirrel.

With thrashing waterfalls, mystical bathing pools, secret gardens and spooky woodlands, the National Trust for Scotland’s enchanted Brodick Castle in Arran is the ultimate place to enrol at Wizard School this summer. In a week of spellbinding fun, special magical events will take place from Monday 22 July-Sunday 28 July for the whole family to enjoy.

Set in gorgeous gardens and surrounded by lush Aberdeenshire woodland, the National Trust for Scotland’s Crathes Castle is the perfect destination for families to explore this summer. On Tuesday 16 July little nature-lovers can go on the hunt for crawling creatures and discover the host of amazing mini-beasts that call the castle home. Mini-adventurers can try out a range of techniques and search through the sprawling grounds on this guided walk to see what creepy-crawlies can be unearthed!

There’s something a bit dramatic happening across National Trust for Scotland properties this summer. Outdoor theatre shows to suit every taste are taking place across the country giving the chance to see some of the Scotland’s most remarkable places in an even more magical light.

Burns Monument in Alloway was rededicated with a ceremony today (Sunday 21 July) on the anniversary of the poet’s death, marking the completion of a major programme of restoration and repair by conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland. The monument reopens to the public tomorrow (Monday 22 July).

An exhibition of vibrant Highland landscapes by acclaimed Scottish colourist artist Hamish MacDonald opens at the National Trust for Scotland’s revamped Glencoe Visitor Centre on 3 August.

National Trust for Scotland archaeologists will share their discoveries from recent excavations and surveys in Glencoe and discuss exciting plans to bring the findings to life at a special talk on Thursday 8 August, 6.30pm, at Glencoe Visitor Centre.

Culzean Castle is renowned for its splendour and history but less well known are the mysterious caves below. Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland, which owns and cares for the property, is offering a unique opportunity for the public to don hard hats and explore Culzean Castle’s subterranean secrets. With limited spaces, the weekly guided tours are a must-see summer attraction for those who like to see Scotland’s history from a different angle.

Exploring the globe on two (and sometimes three) wheels is a theme for the first ever Adventure Travel Film Festival to take place at the National Trust for Scotland’s Brodie Castle this September.

Swedish-born artist David Sandum starts his residency at the National Trust for Scotland’s Inverewe Garden this weekend (Saturday 3 August).

Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland is arranging a special talk at Ellon’s Haddo House on Wednesday 14 August.

As part of a decade-long programme of investment called ‘The Newhailes Revival’, conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland has called in specialist contractors.

Gemma Hayes, a student on the LLM in Global Environment and Climate Change Law at Edinburgh Law School, has won the 2019 Colin Donald Environmental Law Award.

Budding archaeology enthusiasts are being given the opportunity to try their hand at making their own archaeological discovery at the National Trust for Scotland’s Kellie Castle.

Swooping falcons, circus spectacles and jolly jesters will give visitors a sample of medieval entertainment at the National Trust for Scotland’s Brodie Castle near Forres on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August.

Widely regarded as the finest residential example of Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson’s architectural vision and his interior designs, Holmwood in Cathcart - to the south of Glasgow - reopens to the public this week after a three-month project to re-create the property’s original stencilled paint schemes.

The Trust responds to a Scoping document produced by MOWI relating to a fish farm proposal on the island of Canna.

Research carried out for the Trust has found widespread support for a new, independent environmental watchdog is needed to ensure that existing EU environmental protections remain in place after Brexit.

Preparations are gathering pace for the PIM Running Festival (Saturday 14 September), which returns to Crathes Castle for its seventh annual event. Hosted by Plant Integrity Management (PIM) and conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland, the festival will welcome more than 1,000 runners and there’s lots of activities for spectators too.

A desk owned by the man who commissioned the Hill House has returned to the property for the first time in over 60 years.

The Downton Abbey movie hits the big screens this week, but did you know that you can get a feel for Downton life at dozens of country piles across Scotland?

Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland and supermarket giant Lidl have teamed up to help children build their nature knowledge.

As wild mushroom hunting season begins, Brodick Country Park on the Isle of Arran is welcoming first-time foragers to join fungi expert Graeme Walker from Scottish Natural Heritage on a toadstool trek on Sunday 29 September.

In June this year, the National Trust for Scotland installed the world's biggest chainmail structure around the Hill House in Helensburgh near Glasgow - Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s domestic masterpiece - to stop it dissolving ‘like a sugar cube’. But is it working?

The National Trust for Scotland is appealing for donations to its 2019 footpath fund in a bid to support its £1.9 million five-year investment programme to repair and upgrade 273 miles of upland walking routes over the next five years.

The National Trust for Scotland is celebrating the Highland Archaeology Festival with events at Inverewe to highlight the history of the landscape that surrounds Inverewe Garden.

The haunting ghost stories of Craigievar Castle, Drum Castle and Leith Hall are all featured in the latest edition of the Lidl Book of Big Adventures which is out now.

Inverewe Garden and Estate is celebrating the variety of wonderfully skilled people within its local community with a whole host of activities as part of Fun Palaces weekend on Sunday 6 October.

The spooky stories of Falkland Palace and Hill of Tarvit are providing families with day trip ideas this autumn. The historic National Trust for Scotland sites feature in the latest edition of the Lidl Book of Big Adventures which is out now.

Brodie Castle is celebrating the skilled people within its community as the magnificent ancestral home of the Brodie family transforms into a Fun Palace of arts, music, science and more on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October.

The beautiful Brodie Castle and its impressive art collection feature in the latest edition of the Lidl Book of Big Adventures which is out now.

This October, BBC One’s Antique’s Road Trip expert Paul Laidlaw comes to the National Trust for Scotland’s Fyvie Castle.

This Halloween, the National Trust for Scotland’s Hill of Tarvit Mansion has a line-up of frightfully spooky events.

A new poll commissioned by conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland has revealed that the public overwhelmingly agree that a new, independent environmental watchdog is needed to ensure that existing EU environmental protections remain in place after Brexit, and that government actions are properly scrutinised.

Halloween at the National Trust for Scotland’s Castle Fraser is set to be bigger and better this year, with a spooktacular Halloween event on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November.

A team of academics, students and gardeners have joined forces to transform Inverewe this winter to welcome visitors beyond daylight hours.

The National Trust for Scotland has hired five new trainee gardeners in the second year of its Garden Apprentice scheme.

It’s already gaining a reputation as a Box of Delights, but the pioneering chainmail structure that protects the National Trust for Scotland’s The Hill House in Helensburgh will have a seasonal surprise for visitors, as the house is decorated for an Edwardian Family Christmas.

National Lottery-funded attractions say #ThanksToYou for 25 years of support with free entry. A host of National Trust for Scotland sites across the country are offering free entry to National Lottery players from 23 November to 1 December 2019.

National Lottery-funded attractions say #ThanksToYou for 25 years of support with free entry. A host of National Trust for Scotland sites all over the North West of Scotland are offering free entry to National Lottery players from 23 November to 1 December 2019.

National Lottery-funded attractions say #ThanksToYou for 25 years of support with free entry. National Trust for Scotland properties in Ayrshire are offering free entry to National Lottery players from 23 November to 1 December 2019.

National Lottery-funded attractions say #ThanksToYou for 25 years of support with free entry. Threave Garden, which is cared for and run by the National Trust for Scotland, is offering free entry to National Lottery players from 23 November to 1 December 2019.

National Lottery-funded attractions say #ThanksToYou for 25 years of support with free entry. Two National Trust for Scotland sites in Edinburgh and the East are offering free entry to National Lottery players from 23 November to 1 December 2019.

National Lottery-funded attractions say #ThanksToYou for 25 years of support with free entry. A host of National Trust for Scotland sites in Glasgow and the West are offering free entry to National Lottery players from 23 November to 1 December 2019.

National Lottery-funded attractions say #ThanksToYou for 25 years of support with free entry. National Trust for Scotland properties in the North East are offering free entry to National Lottery players from 23 November to 1 December 2019.

National Lottery-funded attractions say #ThanksToYou for 25 years of support with free entry. The Battle of Bannockburn Centre is offering free entry to National Lottery players from 23 November to 1 December 2019.

National Lottery-funded attractions say #ThanksToYou for 25 years of support with free entry. Brodick Castle on Arran is offering free entry to National Lottery players from 23 November to 1 December 2019.

Brodie Castle, National Trust for Scotland’s Morayshire gem, is to be transformed into an Elf Academy this Christmas – complete with a visit from Father Christmas himself.

A crowdfunder has been launched today (29 November) by the National Trust for Scotland to preserve and bring to life one of the oldest surviving documents within the conservation charity’s collection - a letter at Brodie Castle in Moray, written in 1312 by King of Scots, Robert the Bruce.

The already magnificent Culzean Castle will be even more magical this December, as it is transformed for a special Christmas event.

Scottish LEGO® fans are in for a treat this Christmas as one of the country’s most iconic buildings has been created into a LEGO set by Scottish artist Warren Elsmore.

Drum Castle is set to transform into a winter wonderland this December, with an artisan Christmas market and festive activities for the whole family.

The National Trust for Scotland is welcoming Father Christmas and his helper elves to Crathes Castle in Aberdeen this Christmas for a festive takeover.