Membership FAQ

I’d like to become a member

How much is membership?

You can find details about all of our membership types on our Join page.

Can I become a lifetime member?

Yes! With life membership of the Trust you can enjoy the benefits of membership again and again and again. Life memberships are available as Single or Joint memberships.

Single life memberships are priced at £1,575 and Joint life memberships are priced at £2,150.

What are the different ways to join?

You can become a member of the National Trust for Scotland by joining online, phoning our Supporter Care team on 0131 385 7490 or joining in person at any National Trust for Scotland staffed property.

What methods can I use to pay?

You can pay for your National Trust for Scotland membership by debit or credit card, or by setting up a monthly or annual Direct Debit.

How do I know if my membership has been completed successfully online?

If your membership has been completed successfully, you will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of completing your order, which will contain your temporary membership card, car parking pass and a receipt of purchase.

Following this, you will receive our welcome pack in the post containing your physical membership cards, car parking stickers and a copy of our Members’ Guide.

Why haven’t I received my confirmation email?

You should receive your confirmation email with your temporary membership card and car parking pass within 24 hours of joining. After this time, if you haven’t received the email, please check your junk folder or get in touch with our Supporter Care team by calling 0131 385 7490 or using our contact form.

How old are the children covered by the Family, One Adult Family and Life memberships?

Our Family and One Adult Family memberships allow the named card holder(s) free admission to our places along with up to six children under the age of 18.

Our Life memberships allow the named card holder(s) free admission to our places along with up to six children under the age of 16.

I am a teenager. Can I buy my own membership?

Yes! If you’re 16 or over, you can buy your own Young Person membership. You can find details about this membership type on our Join page.

I cancelled my membership, but now I’d like to rejoin.

Fantastic! If you’d like to rejoin, please complete our online form. We’d love to welcome you back.

Can I purchase a 30-day pass?

All of our memberships are valid for either 12 months or a lifetime. This is because our membership price represents a substantial saving compared to paying for the cost of entry at many of our places. We rely upon consistent membership income to maintain and protect our places all year round. By purchasing a membership with the National Trust for Scotland, you are helping to protect the places in our care and funding important conservation work, so that Scotland’s irreplaceable heritage can be enjoyed by all and protected for future generations.

Membership cards and car parking

Can I park for free at National Trust for Scotland places?

Members can park for free in our Trust-owned car parks. Please remember to display your car parking sticker in your vehicle to enjoy this benefit. Without your sticker, there may be a parking charge.

For members travelling on motorcycles, please try and place your sticker on your motorcycle where possible. If your motorcycle does not have a screen, please let the staff know at the property and present your membership card to get your free parking and admission.

How do I receive my car parking stickers?

Upon joining, new members receive a confirmation email with a temporary membership card and car parking pass attached as a PDF to the email. This can be used to visit and park for free until your welcome pack arrives. The welcome pack contains your membership card(s) and car parking stickers.

New membership cards and car parking stickers are issued annually with the renewal letter.

Life members will be sent their car parking stickers directly.

Please note that the stickers sent out in the 2023 Members’ Guide are valid until the end of 2024.

How do I order a replacement or additional car parking sticker?

To order a car parking sticker please call 0131 385 7490 or use our contact form, supplying your name, address and membership number.

Can I park for free at National Trust places in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as they no longer use car parking stickers?

The National Trust have started using barcodes on their membership cards to gain access and free parking at National Trust car parks in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. As a member of the National Trust for Scotland, your car parking sticker is still accepted and will grant free parking. In car parks that have attendants, members should show their card and display their sticker (or any ticket) you are given for free parking. Similarly, National Trust members can still request a car parking sticker from the National Trust should they wish to visit Scotland and use our free parking benefit.

We are in communication with the National Trust about this and have been assured that any National Trust for Scotland member will continue to receive free car parking in all National Trust car parks. If you experience an issue with this at a National Trust property, please get in touch with the National Trust.

How do I order a replacement membership card?

To order a replacement membership card please call 0131 385 7490 or use our contact form, supplying your name, address and membership number. If the replacement card is required urgently, we recommend that you call us.

If I’m a member, can I visit Trust places without my membership card?

You may be asked to pay an admission fee if you visit without your membership card. Please remember to bring your membership card or temporary membership card with you every time you visit.

When will my membership card arrive?

We aim to have your membership welcome pack delivered within 10 working days. We’ll also send you a temporary membership card by email, which you can start using immediately.

I have received my welcome pack but I can’t find my cards.

Your membership cards are attached to the inside flaps of the box with a sticky dot. Open the box all the way, and they will be there.

Does the Trust offer Essential Companion Cards?

Yes, we offer Essential Companion cards for our members, making it simpler for a carer or companion to gain free entry. You can request these by getting in touch with us via our contact form. The card is in the name of the member with accessibility requirements, allowing them to choose who they bring. We will offer multiple cards if more than one carer or companion is required. We welcome all assistance dogs.

Can I recycle my membership card?

Yes, your membership card can be recycled along with paper in your regular household recycling. Thank you.

Managing my membership

How do I renew my membership?

Renewing your membership is easy. Visit our Renewing your membership page for more information.

Can I renew my membership online?

Yes! If you pay for your membership by debit or credit card and it is not a gift membership, you can renew online (using the link we send in your renewal letter).

If you pay by Direct Debit, your payments will continue automatically and there is no need to do anything. We will write to you in advance of this happening.

If you are looking to renew a gift membership, please contact us.

Can I change my membership type?

Yes, this can be done by contacting our Supporter Care team by calling 0131 385 7490 or using our contact form.

If you pay by Direct Debit, we can arrange for your membership type to switch over the next time it renews.

If you pay by card or cheque, we recommend contacting us when you receive your renewal letter. We can then change your membership type and arrange payment for the coming year.

Can I add someone else to a membership?

Unfortunately, you cannot add other people to your membership, but you can amend your membership type. We are happy to help you find the right membership for your needs. Please get in touch with our Supporter Care team on 0131 385 7490 to discuss our membership types, or find out more on our Join page.

Why can’t I see my membership within My Trust?

If you have a current valid membership but cannot see it in your My Trust account, please contact us to let us know. We’re currently implementing new services to improve the way you manage your membership but we’re aware that a small number of members are experiencing this problem and we’re in the process of fixing it.

Where can I change my personal details?

Please get in touch with our Supporter Care team using our contact form, or over the phone on 0131 385 7490.

What do you do with my personal data?

Our Membership terms and conditions contain more information about this.

If you’d like to get in touch, please call 0131 385 7490 or use our contact form.

I’m thinking of leaving.

We’d be sorry to see you leave – please see our Thinking of leaving page for more information.

Is it possible to be refunded?

If you sign up as a member but within the first 14 days change your mind and decide you do not want to continue the membership, you are entitled to a refund. After this point, we cannot refund you.

You can find more information in our Membership terms and conditions.

Can I cancel my membership mid-way through the year?

If you cancel your membership but have already paid in full for the year, your membership will be valid until your renewal date (ie the expiry date on your card) and you will not be refunded. If you pay monthly by Direct Debit, you must give us three months’ notice to let us know you want to cancel. More information can be found in our Membership terms and conditions.

I would like to make a complaint.

If you have a complaint, please see our complaints policy. We’re sorry that you’ve had a bad experience and we’ll make sure your complaint gets to the right people, quickly.

I’d like to gift membership

How do I purchase a gift membership?

To treat someone special to a National Trust for Scotland gift membership, please visit our Gift Membership page.

I want to buy a membership as a present. If I buy it now, can I delay the start?

We’re not able to defer the start date of memberships. A membership starts on the day it is purchased and will run for 365 days.

When do I need to purchase a gift membership to ensure pre-Christmas delivery?

Please order gift memberships before 11 December for pre-Christmas delivery of the welcome pack. When you buy a gift membership, you will also receive a confirmation email that includes a temporary membership card and car parking pass (which can be used immediately) as well as a gift certificate to share with the gift recipient.

I’ve ordered a gift membership – when will it arrive?

We aim for membership welcome packs to arrive within 10 working days. Once you’ve purchased a gift membership, you’ll receive a confirmation email which includes a temporary membership card and car parking pass (which can be used immediately) as well as a gift certificate to share with the gift recipient.

Where will the gift membership be delivered to?

When purchasing a gift membership, you can choose whether the welcome pack is sent to you or directly to the gift recipient. You’ll also receive a confirmation email that includes a temporary membership card, car parking pass and a gift certificate, which you can share with the gift recipient.

Can I purchase a joint gift membership with myself as the other named member?

Please choose one of our standard memberships instead of a gift membership for this option. You’ll still receive a welcome pack to present to the gift recipient.