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Join

Founders’ Circle

Join our Founders’ Circle for the opportunity to deepen your engagement with the places, collections and stories that make Scotland so special.

Launched in 2019, the Founders’ Circle is named to reflect the passion, care and love for Scotland by those who built and shaped the National Trust for Scotland. The dedication of Sir John Stirling Maxwell, Lord Wemyss, Lord Bute and Sir Jamie Stormonth Darling, as well as many others, has ensured Scotland’s heritage has been cared for since 1931. Your support today will help the Trust to protect the places in its care for generations to come.

Supporters who commit to donating at least £1,000 a year are invited to join the Founders’ Circle.

A giving circle made up of individuals from across the globe, the Founders’ Circle unites those who have a deep enthusiasm for Scotland and the work of our charity. It also provides the opportunity for supporters to see ‘behind the scenes’ of the Trust’s goings-on, gaining a closer insight into our conservation work and expertise.

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“Joining the Founders’ Circle is a great way to help the Trust, at a time when there is much that needs to be done, and a great way too to get closer to its work and see what’s happening behind the scenes.”
Sir Mark Jones
Chair of the National Trust for Scotland
A group of people stand chatting on a gravel area outside Holmwood.
Founders hearing about future plans for Holmwood from Trust staff. | Image: John Sinclair

Become a Founder

By becoming a member of the Founders’ Circle, you will directly support the National Trust for Scotland while enjoying a range of ways to get closer to our work. These include:

  • Exclusive access to the Trust’s special places by invitation, to hear from our experts in built heritage, history, collections, art, archaeology, gardens and the countryside
  • Bespoke regular communications based on your preferences, giving updates on projects supported by your gifts, as well as upcoming projects and events
  • Early engagement with the Trust’s priority projects in line with your philanthropic interests
  • A dedicated point of contact in the Fundraising team, to support your needs as a Founders’ Circle member and supporter of the Trust
  • An invitation to the annual Founders’ Circle event, where you will meet staff and volunteers who work on key projects
  • The opportunity to dedicate your support to an area of our work that most resonates with you. We’ll provide regular updates to demonstrate how your gift is making a difference.
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“The greater engagement [the Founders’ Circle] gives you with the Trust, members of staff and the leadership has been really insightful. You find out more about the work of the Trust as well as the people who are doing the work.”
Judith Tocher
Founders’ Circle member

Other ways to support

There are many other ways to give to the National Trust for Scotland. These include:

  • Making a one-off gift to a particular area of our work – please contact our Major Gifts team on philanthropy@nts.org.uk for more information.
  • Joining the Patrons’ Club, our giving circle open to supporters who commit to donating £6,000 or more a year.
Squares of wallpaper samples are displayed on a wooden desk. The samples have gold classical patterns on them.

Get in touch

If you would like to speak to us about joining the Founders’ Circle, or if you have any questions, please email founderscircle@nts.org.uk or call 0131 348 0496.