National Trust for Scotland

National Trust for Scotland NTS cares for the places that make people smile. Support our charity so we can keep sharing them with everyone

The National Trust for Scotland is the charity that cares for, shares and speaks up for Scotland’s magnificent heritage. We’re Scotland’s largest membership organisation and we’re independent from government. Since 1931, we’ve pioneered public access to and shared ownership of some of the most magnificent buildings, collections and landscapes in Scotland. We care for ancient houses, battlefields,

castles, mills, gardens, coastlines, islands and mountain ranges, as well as the plants, animals and birds that live there. Without our involvement, many of these places and things would have been lost forever to the passage of time, development and the elements. We believe in protecting Scotland’s nature, beauty and heritage, and sharing our amazing places with everyone. A shared heritage is the cornerstone of any strong culture. Scotland is blessed with a wealth of stories, values, objects and landscapes that, over time, have been woven together to unite communities, forge traditions and nurture our unique national spirit. Simply put, our work keeps this heritage safe. Every day, our members, volunteers and staff help us to look after an astonishing variety of things. We’re the proud guardians of over 300,000 precious artefacts, so they’ll still be here to inspire many generations to come. We look after 46 Munros, helping to protect rare species like ptarmigan and golden eagles, while also providing safe and sustainable access. We’re the custodians of 38 gardens, 27 castles and houses, and 8 National Nature Reserves. We care for miles and miles of coastline – home to over 1 million seabirds! We conserve 76,000 hectares of countryside, from the most northerly island in Shetland to the Solway coast. We do it

The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland (Reg No: SC007410)

Happy Summer Solstice! Where would you like to spend the longest day of the year? 🤔☀️A) Canna, 📸 Fergus KingB) Craigieva...
21/06/2026

Happy Summer Solstice! Where would you like to spend the longest day of the year? 🤔☀️

A) Canna, 📸 Fergus King
B) Craigievar Castle, 📸 Pippa
C) Torridon, 📸 Sophie
D) Falkland Palace, 📸 Falkland Palace & Garden NTS

We think places that make people smile are worth caring for – support us so we can keep sharing them with everyone.

20/06/2026

Have you visited the Turf House Glencoe?

If you’re putting together a list of the most beautiful places in the Scottish Highlands, Glencoe is likely towards the top for its awe-inspiring views and dramatic scenery.

It's rugged beauty might suggest that it’s only ever been a wilderness. However, looks can be deceiving!

300 years ago, the lower slopes of the glen were home to a community of around five hundred people.

They were spread between small settlements, living in earth-built structures like this one which we reconstructed at our Glencoe Visitor Centre.

The original eco-homes, these properties were made from what could be found in the surrounding landscape – like heather for the thatched roof, and earth, clay, straw and cow manure for the partition walls.

Will you be stopping by the next time you explore Glencoe National Nature Reserve?

We think places that make people smile are worth caring for. So, support this place for the future so we can keep sharing it with everyone.

🏆 The Scottish Animal World Cup: Round of 16, Match 2Today’s match sees the soprano pipistrelle take on the grey seal. Y...
19/06/2026

🏆 The Scottish Animal World Cup: Round of 16, Match 2

Today’s match sees the soprano pipistrelle take on the grey seal. You decide who goes through to the next round, so get your votes in now!

‘Like’ for the soprano pipistrelle, ‘love’ for the grey seal.

The soprano pipistrelle, is the smallest bat living in Scotland. Tiny but mighty, it emerges at dusk in summer to feed, using echolocation to hunt moths and midges. It can be spotted at places in our care including Culzean Castle & Country Park NTS, Inverewe Garden & Estate NTS and Threave Garden & Nature Reserve NTS, with Threave home to Scotland’s first-ever bat reserve.

Its opponent, the grey seal, is one of the rarest seal species in the world. Larger than the harbour seal, adult males can reach 300kg (47 stone)! It is usually a lucky sighting for most of the year - but in early winter, large numbers gather on beaches to breed, and their white-coated pups begin to appear. You might spot them at places in our care including Mingulay, Berneray & Pabbay, and St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve NTS.

This year’s competition is helping us shine a light on our Plan for Nature - our long-term commitment to protect and restore nature across the places in our care. From wetlands and woodlands to coasts, rivers and open landscapes, healthy habitats are vital if species like these are to thrive in the future.

So, who gets your vote? Voting for this match closes tomorrow.

18/06/2026

Want ideas for forest walks in Scotland? Introducing: Killiecrankie!

A part of the Pitlochry Path Network in Perthshire’s Big Tree Country, this river gorge is a great spot for a stroll – and you might cross paths with a red squirrel or rare toadstool!

📍 Where: The Pass of Killiecrankie, Killiecrankie, PH16 5LQ
📈 Difficulty: Moderate
⏰ Time: 1.5hrs
📏 Distance: 2.5mi / 4km
↗️ Ascent: 265ft / 81m

If you can’t get enough of forest bathing, Linn of Tummel is another great option for a woodland wander (and it’s just down the road from the Killiecrankie Visitor Centre, which is where you'll start this route.)

🏆 The Scottish Animal World Cup continues with the first tie of the Round of 16!The reigning champion, the otter, takes ...
17/06/2026

🏆 The Scottish Animal World Cup continues with the first tie of the Round of 16!

The reigning champion, the otter, takes on the small tortoiseshell butterfly. You decide who goes through to the next round, so get your votes in now!

‘Like’ for the otter, ‘love’ for the small tortoiseshell butterfly.

The otter is perfectly adapted for life in and around the water, with webbed toes, a powerful tail and a thick waterproof coat to help it thrive along our coastlines, rivers and lochs. Its poo smells of jasmine tea (we’ll take their word for it ...), and it can be spotted at places in our care including Burg, Inverewe Garden & Estate NTS, Preston Mill & Phantassie Doocot NTS and Unst & Yell.

The small tortoiseshell butterfly offers a very different kind of challenge. With its bright orange wings edged with blue markings, it's a familiar sight in gardens and grasslands, and often one of the first butterflies to emerge in spring. Its caterpillars feed on nettles, while adults enjoy nectar from a wide range of flowers. You might spot them at places in our care including Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve NTS, Greenbank Garden NTS and Inveresk Lodge Garden NTS.

This year’s competition is helping us shine a light on our Plan for Nature - our long-term commitment to protect and restore nature across the places in our care. From wetlands and woodlands to coasts, rivers and open landscapes, healthy habitats are vital if species like these are to thrive in the future.

So, who gets your vote? Voting for this match closes tomorrow.

16/06/2026

What's at the end of the tunnel? 🤔 It's Falkland Palace! 😍

If you're looking for things to do in Fife, you need to know about this spot!

A former royal hunting lodge inspired by the grand châteaux of France, Falkland Palace is one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland.

It was also a favourite retreat for Mary, Queen of Scots. She enjoyed falconry and hunting on the estate, as well as playing tennis on what's now the oldest surviving real (or royal) tennis court in the world.

We think places that make people smile are worth caring for. So, support this place for the future so we can keep sharing it with everyone.

📸 Falkland Palace & Garden NTS

🏆 The Scottish Animal World Cup: matchday 16It's the final first-round tie, which sees the red-necked phalarope take on ...
15/06/2026

🏆 The Scottish Animal World Cup: matchday 16

It's the final first-round tie, which sees the red-necked phalarope take on the Scottish wildcat - the runner-up in the 2020 Scottish Animal World Cup. You decide who goes through to the next round, so get your votes in now!

‘Like’ for the red-necked phalarope, ‘love’ for the Scottish wildcat.

The red-necked phalarope is one of our Plan for Nature priority species. This small wetland bird is a remarkable swimmer, famous for spinning on the water to stir up tiny prey. At Fair Isle, the handful of breeding pairs represent a significant proportion of the country's population, showing just how rare this species has become. You might spot them at places in our care including Fair Isle and St Kilda.

Its opponent, the Scottish wildcat, is one of Scotland’s most endangered mammals. Larger and stockier than a domestic cat, with a thick, ringed tail and piercing stare, it is a true Highland icon, though rarely seen. If you’re very lucky, you might spot one at places in our care including Crathes Castle, Garden & Estate NTS and Leith Hall, Garden & Estate NTS. Support from The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA is helping us protect and restore the habitats that the wildcat depends on.

This year’s competition is helping us shine a light on our Plan for Nature - our long-term commitment to protect and restore nature across the places in our care. From wetlands and woodlands to coasts, rivers and open landscapes, healthy habitats are vital if species like these are to thrive in the future.

So, who gets your vote? Voting for this match closes tomorrow.

Look, even these fledgling swallow chicks were cheering our boys on at 2am! 😅⚽📍 Arran Ranger Centre, Brodick Castle, Gar...
14/06/2026

Look, even these fledgling swallow chicks were cheering our boys on at 2am! 😅⚽

📍 Arran Ranger Centre, Brodick Castle, Garden & Country Park NTS
📸 NTS Arran Ranger Service

(It's one of our biggest swallow broods ever at the Ranger Centre! The parents are busy feeding the six chicks, so watch out for the poo if you're visiting.)

Culloden Battlefield NTS has received a huge donation from fans of Outlander! £10,115 was raised in just over a month to...
13/06/2026

Culloden Battlefield NTS has received a huge donation from fans of Outlander!

£10,115 was raised in just over a month to support our conservation of this important site and to continue interpreting the battle and telling the stories of the people who were there.

The Battle of Culloden is a central part of Outlander, which recently came to an end after more than a decade on screen. This generosity shows the positive impact that film tourism can have on the special places in our care, demonstrating what the fandom does best – turning our love for the story into real-world impact!

🏆 The Scottish Animal World Cup: matchday 15Today’s match sees the osprey take on the narrow-headed ant. You decide who ...
12/06/2026

🏆 The Scottish Animal World Cup: matchday 15

Today’s match sees the osprey take on the narrow-headed ant. You decide who goes through to the next round, so get your votes in now!

‘Like’ for the osprey, ‘love’ for the narrow-headed ant.

The osprey is one of Scotland’s great conservation comeback stories. After years of persecution, this striking bird of prey is gradually returning to parts of the country, with projects like the one at Threave Garden & Nature Reserve NTS helping it recover. Arriving from western Africa each spring, ospreys return to nest and raise their chicks, and can be recognised by their pale head and belly, broad wings and fish-catching beak.

Its opponent, the narrow-headed ant, is one of our Plan for Nature priority species. Tiny but formidable, it plays an important role in pine forest ecosystems and thrives in sunny forest edges and glades, where warm nest mounds help its young develop. This rare ant is found at only a handful of sites in Scotland, including Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve NTS.

This year’s competition is helping us shine a light on our Plan for Nature - our long-term commitment to protect and restore nature across the places in our care. From wetlands and woodlands to coasts, rivers and open landscapes, healthy habitats are vital if species like these are to thrive in the future.

So, who gets your vote? Voting for this match closes tomorrow.

Address

Edinburgh

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441313857490

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