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Help us protect this letter by King Robert the Bruce

Brodie Castle in Moray is home to one of the oldest Scottish documents in our collection – a letter from King Robert the Bruce – and today we need your help to protect it.

Hardly any documents from this time have survived. We're extremely fortunate to care for this letter, which gives us an insight into how Robert the Bruce ruled Scotland.

Can you help us protect this 700-year-old letter?

The letter was on display when Brodie Castle opened to the public in 1981 and since then thousands of visitors have seen this letter, but we had to remove it from display as it was too fragile.

Generous donations have enabled us to complete vital conservation work. However, before we can return the letter to public view we must ensure it's in a protective case (like the one above) to safeguard it from UV light and heat, which cause further decay. 

But we need your help to do this.

We’re asking for your help to buy a ColliderCase, a state-of-the-art installation that will seal and protect the letter but also tell its story through multi-media interpretation, including video, audio and language translation.

Please donate today to help us protect Robert the Bruce's letter – we can't do this without your support.

The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410 

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh EH11 4DF

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Give the gift of membership

Gift membership is the perfect way to share Scotland’s treasures with your loved ones. As a member, they’ll enjoy access to the incredible places our in care – from coastlines to castles, art to architecture, wildlife to wilderness.

Treat someone special to amazing experiences all year round. They can admire our exotic gardens in spring, explore the great outdoors in summer, visit spooky castles in autumn and discover our fascinating museums in winter. 

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410 

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh EH11 4DF

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Last-minute Christmas gifts

Do you still have a few final Christmas gifts to buy and not sure what to get? Let us inspire you with some amazing gift ideas.

Our range of hampers have something for everyone - perfect for that person who's a bit tricky to buy for!

We also have some beautiful stocking fillers that will make opening presents on  Christmas morning even more special.  

With some fantastic offers throughout December, why not treat yourself? Beautiful Scottish gifts include stunning jewellery, cosy cashmere and stylish tweed.

What's more 100% of our profits go back into the Trust so your purchase helps us protect Scotland's heritage. 

Wednesday 18 December is the last day to order in time for Christmas so don't miss out on these beautiful gifts.   

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410 

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh EH11 4DF

Click here to unsubscribe or to change your subscription preferences. 

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Looking for a last-minute gift?

Have you searched high and low for the perfect gift? Well, look no further! Buy someone special a National Trust for Scotland membership and they can enjoy the incredible places in our care throughout 2020. 

From coastlines to castles, art to architecture, wildlife to wilderness. They'll enjoy the places, properties and collections that make Scotland so special. 

Buy online now and receive a downloadable digital membership card to print off, which you can give to them straight away. Let their amazing experiences begin!

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410 

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh EH11 4DF

Click here to unsubscribe or to change your subscription preferences. 

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Christmas Wishes from everyone at the Trust! 

Here's some inspiration to get out and enjoy our places over the festive period and into the new year.

Open for winter

Many of our places are open for winter, including between Christmas and New Year. Why not unplug your gadgets, put down the toys and visit one of your local properties?

Enjoy the great outdoors

We look after some of Scotland’s most loved countryside and inspiring hidden gems, which are open all year round. Now is the perfect time to visit one of our outdoor places and burn off the turkey and mince pies. How about a bit of wildlife spotting on one of these beautiful winter walks?

Christmas sales

Enjoy the Christmas sales from the comfort of your own home. We have many deals in jewellery, clothing & accessories, home & garden and more. Why not treat yourself - many items with 50% off and some have an even bigger discount.

What's more 100% of our profits go back into the Trust so your purchase helps us protect Scotland's heritage.  

Amazing adventures with membership

Get 2020 off to a great start by joining today.

As a member, you can visit the amazing places in our care as many times as you like throughout the year – from coastlines to castles, art to architecture, wildlife to wilderness – there's something for everyone from as little as £2.50 per month. 

• Families can enjoy days out that offer fantastic opportunities to learn and play at the same time.
• We have beautiful gardens throughout Scotland – visit again and again to see the changing colours throughout the seasons.
• Our places are packed with history – from paintings and sculptures to fascinating artefacts that reveal the stories of Scotland’s past.
• The Trust cares for many of Scotland’s wildest places and your membership helps us to conserve and protect them.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410 

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh EH11 4DF

Click here to unsubscribe or to change your subscription preferences. 

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100 ways to say thank you!

What a busy and exciting 2019 we've had here at the Trust. Of course, we couldn't do any of it without you, so from all of us here, a huge THANK YOU for your continued support!

Building a 'Box' around the Hill House to shield it from the elements; getting the wheel at Preston Mill wheel turning again; keeping more places than ever open for winter; the restoration of the Burns Monument; a new eco-friendly visitor centre at Glencoe; maintaining our mountain footpaths.

These are just a few of the (more than) 100 ways we've been working to protect Scotland's natural, built and cultural heritage, so we can share our amazing places with everyone.

As a conservation charity, we're supported by more than 365,000 members and are funded largely by donations, so your help means the world to us. 

In 2020 we'll continue to protect Scotland's treasures and we look forward to welcoming you throughout the year. 

Once again, thanks for all your help in 2019. Here's to a happy Hogmanay and a guid new year for 2020!

Support us today

Help us to protect everything that makes Scotland special and unique.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410 

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh EH11 4DF

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Celebrating Burns Night

Celebrating Robert Burns is the perfect way to forget a dreich January. Our Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is packed with events to honour the Bard’s birthday. 

The Blazing Burns Night Spectacular is an incredible evening of live music, dancing, an awe-inspiring fire performance and, of course, haggis, neeps and tatties!

You can also enjoy the Big Burns Brunch or Burns Gala Day at the museum.

Alternatively, take part in one of our other events at Newhailes, Bannockburn, Brodie Castle or Castle Fraser ... or even host your own Burns Night celebration.

The National Trust for Scotland are custodians of the world’s biggest Burns collection – help us continue to protect his legacy this Burns Night.

A Lidl adventure

This winter, we’re joining up with Lidl to give you an exciting season of adventures! The Lidl book of Big Adventures is jam-packed with activities and inspiration for this frosty time of year. Find yours at participating Lidl stores in Scotland and at our participating places.

Hugs of Heather

Looking to give something a bit different this Valentine’s Day? Why not gift your loved one a Hug of Heather whilst helping to protect an important piece of Scottish history?

Thanks to our Glencoe appeal donors, we’re ready to start re-creating one of Glencoe’s long-lost 17th-century turf houses. Your donation will pay for a ‘hug’ (an arm-sized bundle) of heather to be used to thatch the roof in dedication to you and your loved one. We need 600 ‘hugs’ to cover the roof so make sure you get this special gift before they run out!

We’ll also send you a Hug of Heather card for you to write your own message, and a packet of heather seeds to give to your loved one to plant at home. Give something different this Valentine’s Day and make a difference.

Whisky galore

Our guide to Scotland’s national drink is a fascinating delve into the tipple’s history – it explains how it’s crafted, talks about the different types and the distinct whisky regions.

We also have a spectacular range of Whisky-related gifts which are perfect for enjoying a wee dram. 

Even more adventures with membership

Join the National Trust for Scotland and start planning all the adventures you can have this year.  You can visit your favourite places again and again, and explore further afield to discover new hidden gems. Membership costs as little as £5 a month for an adult and £9 for a family. 

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410 

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh EH11 4DF

Click here to unsubscribe. 

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Hugs of Heather

Looking for the perfect Valentine's gift? You may have seen our Hugs of Heather already and there's still time to buy yours!

For a donation of £20, you can give your loved one a thoughful valentine's gift whilst making a difference and becoming guardians of Glenoce's history. 

We'll send you a special Hug of Heather card to write your own message in and a packet of heather seeds to give to your valentine to plant at home. 

Thanks to our appeal donors, we're ready to start building our turf house recreation at Glencoe. Your donation will pay for a ‘hug of heather’ to be used to thatch the roof in dedication to you and your loved one.

We need 600 'hugs' to cover the roof so make sure you get yours before they run out!

Give something different this Valentine’s Day and make a difference.

Why build a turf house?

Derek Alexander, Head of Archaeology, talks about the importance of building a turf house.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410 

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh EH11 4DF

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Getting back to our gardens and grounds

With so many of?our beautiful outdoor spaces open again, there's lots for you to?explore and enjoy.

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Before you go, make sure to check the individual property pages on our website for the most up-to-date visit information, including any pre-booking systems in place.

Lidl Book of Big Adventures

We're working with our friends at Lidl to create fun family activities you can try this summer. Download our free activity sheets, which include a great maths trick that allows you to estimate the age of a tree!

Help us protect Scotland

The money raised from Trust memberships is crucial in ensuring our work can continue,?protecting and caring?for our beautiful places and spaces across Scotland for future generations to enjoy.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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Your Gift In Action

Thanks to our supporters like you, we've raised over ?3 million to help us through the Covid-19 pandemic and we're beginning to take positive steps towards recovery. We want to thank you sincerely for supporting our charity during these immensely difficult times.

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We'd like to highlight?a few of the many ways our staff continued to protect Scotland's heritage throughout lockdown and how your donations are helping the places they care for reopen and begin to recover. Thank you for your support.

Coast to Coast

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People from across the globe have supported our Save our Scotland appeal including George Russell, 74, who decided to cycle across America to raise funds for the Trust.?

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George set out on the?3,200km trip on 27 August, cycling from San Diego in California and arrived in St Augistine, Florida on 16 October. George kept up the pace right to the end, staying ahead of hurricane Delta and completing the gruelling schedule in 49 days.Along the way so far he has raised an incredible ?40,000.

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"Crossing eight US states on two wheels has been totally eye-opening and a liberating journey and I never lost sight of the reason for it all. I was constantly reminded of Scotland and Trust-owned places like Glencoe and Ben Lawers when I was on the mountain paths and I am proud that I''ve achieved this - not only for myself, but for my father and grandfather and everyone in Scotland that cherishes it''s heritage." - George Russell

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It''s not too late to support George, and his fundraising page will remain live until the end of November.

Facing Our Past

The National Trust for Scotland is embarking on a new project, Facing Our Past, that will explore the role that the slave trade played in the histories of Scotland and some of the Trust's most-loved properties.

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Facing Our Past?will use sources and previously unavailable research techniques to delve into stories that have been hidden or simply forgotten (sometimes conveniently). These show how the slave trade impacted on places and people in Scotland's past, leaving a legacy that affects us today.

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Watch Jennifer Melville, Facing Our Past project leader, talk more about how we''ll be addressing the lagacy of slavery and empire.?

Meet the Maker:

Clare Campbell, Prickly Thistle

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Clare features in our Meet the Makers series, in which we highlight the talented craftspeople and makers from across Scotland who sell their products in our shops.

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Inspired by our call to action, Prickly Thistle designed two new tartans which will raise money to support our Save Our Scotland Appeal. The?tartan designs have been officially listed by the Scottish Register of Tartans and, inspired by our special places and spaces, come?in two versions; the Hands Of The Past tartan includes blue, green, brown and grey, while the Hands Of The Future version is red. Launched on the 31st July there will only ever be 2,020 metres of fabric woven, to mark the calendar year, 2020 and all profits from this special collection will be donated to the Trust.

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There''s still time to get your limited edition tartan along with an exclusive book packed with ideas on what to do with your cloth.?

Join our Founders'' Circle

Our Founders' Circle supporters make a significant difference to our ability to protect and share our extraordinary, but fragile, heritage.

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Their support helps to protect our castles, historic houses and iconic habitats, bursary programmes for the next generation of gardeners, champions traditional craftspeople, and supports learning and outreach activity; inspiring the next generation of history makers. Without the generosity of our donors we would not be able to safeguard the wildlife that inhabits our land, conserve our collections, or promote our nation's stories.

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Those who join the Founders' Circle will be invited to an annual celebration of the giving circle. Tailored updates and unique events provide closer access to our work, and the opportunities to meet like-minded supporters.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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A thank you message from Scottish actor, Brian Cox

Thank you for your support

Our emergency appeal to Save our Scotland was launched in June to raise ?2.5 million to help us continue to protect the landscapes, castles, cottages and cultural heritage in our care. It has been a long, challenging six months for many organisations, including our charity, and many of our supporters.?

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We cannot thank you enough for your swift and generous response to our urgent need. Over ?3.4 million has been donated which has helped us to re-open many of the places in our care and ensure that the heritage we look after continues to welcome, inspire and offer places of enjoyment and relaxation at this challenging time. ?

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Thank you for rallying to help us through such difficult times and the devastating impact that Corona virus has had on our charity.?

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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The nation''s most loved places are at risk.

Please help us Save Our Scotland today.

The impact of coronavirus on the Trust has been devastating. We''ve had no visitors; our caf?s and shops lie empty; and we've had to cancel all our events and holiday rentals. Our vital conservation work has been put on hold and the majority of our staff are furloughed.

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We urgently need your help.

What do you see when you think of Scotland?

Perhaps it's the sweeping vistas of the Highlands or the fairytale castles of Aberdeenshire. Is it the red squirrel in the Caledonian pine forest of Mar Lodge Estate or the puffins of St Kilda?

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It's likely that the Trust looks after something that sums up Scotland for you. ?Without the Trust, much of Scotland's heritage is threatened. We protect historic buildings and iconic landscapes across the nation -?from Shetland to Dumfries & Galloway. Our work encompasses so much of what makes Scotland special -?from archaeological sites to grand estates and gardens, along with Scotland's countryside and all the wildlife that lives there.

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The Trust is one of the largest independent voices for heritage. We play an important advocacy role, lobbying the government and local councils to ensure greater protections for our built and natural heritage, and ward off encroachment from developers. One of the best-known examples of this is Culloden Battlefield, which we care for a large part of. Unfortunately, other areas of the battlefield out with our protection have been sold for residential development and we're constantly fighting these decisions and lobbying for better protection for heritage sites. Without the Trust, many sites like Culloden could be sold and they would lose a passionate, independent lobbying voice for Scotland's history.

This also extends to supporting environmental protection and maintaining natural conservation standards. We work closely with Scottish Natural Heritage and other environmental charities to champion Scotland's incredible wildlife, from rare seabird colonies on St Abb's and St Kilda, to red squirrels and Scottish wildcats at Mar Lodge Estate. Thanks to the hard work of our rangers and conservationists, in the past few years we've managed to restore 2,000 hectares of the severely degraded Caledonian Forest at Mar Lodge Estate. These reforested areas are a crucial response to the world-wide climate emergency and will act as carbon stores for the future. They have also provided a bio-diverse habitat for Golden Eagles, Otters and Red Squirrels to thrive in as well as re-introducing endangered plant life like the Twinflower back to the area.

Our battlefields where the fate of a nation was won and lost; our monuments which honour national heroes; everyday objects, from the small to the large, the obvious to the obscure; iconic Scottish landscapes and natural habitats; our archaeology and the collections that hold our history; the stories of people who went before; our myths and our legends - without the National Trust for Scotland these are all at risk. The?future of the Trust and all we do is vital to our past, present and future -?and it's in your hands.?

Thank You

We can only protect the things we all love about Scotland with your support.

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Whether you love the stories told by the objects in our collections;?our scenic countryside and dramatic landscapes;?our castles and?cottages;?our battlefields where our ancestors fought for Scotland''s fate;?or the myths and legends that shape who we are today -?your support means we can continue to protect them for everyone to enjoy and experience.?

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Over the next few months, we''ll be letting you know how your donations have helped in the past, and how they''re helping us now.

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Thank you for your continued support during these extraordinary times. Everyone at the Trust really appreciates your help and we hope we can welcome you back to the places you love soon.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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Halloween in?Scotland

Scottish Halloween traditions have certainly changed over the years. In the 1930s on South Uist, children were known to make?homemade costumes from the skin and skulls of dead animals.

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Thankfully, we''ve moved on since then!?However, we''ve made a short film so you can ''enjoy''?the otherworldly eeriness of a traditional Hebridean Halloween.

6 Scottish Halloween traditions

Not all Scottish Halloween traditions are quite so stomach-churning!

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Did you know?the name Halloween comes from a Scottish shortening of All-Hallows Eve and has its roots in the Gaelic festival of Samhain?

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Here''s a list of 6 Scottish Halloween traditions you might not be?aware of.

10 ghosts of the Trust

With so many ancient buildings in our care,?it''s no surprise that some are filled with spine-chilling tales of witchcraft and the supernatural, ghosts and ghouls, torture and murder most foul.

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Here are 10 haunted properties that play host to a few ghosts ...

Recipe: Creamy pumpkin & lentil soup

Are you carving a Halloween pumpkin this year? Use the flesh and seeds to make this easy, delicious and?healthy soup.

See what''s open near you

We're delighted to welcome back so many?visitors at dozens of our beautiful places across the country.

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Keep up-to-date with what''s open near you.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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7 amazing autumn walks

Looking for an autumn adventure? Escape the everyday as you wander through forests of gold, feel the freshness of the air on our mountain footpaths, or listen to the soothing sounds of our waterfalls.

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To help you get the most out of this beautiful season, here are seven of the most wonderful walks for you to enjoy across Scotland this autumn.

Lidl Book of Big Adventures

Get out and enjoy the best of autumn with the FREE Lidl Book of Big Adventures! It''s filled with fun family activities for you to enjoy whilst exploring our amazing places.

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There''s wonderful crafts, delicious recipes and picture puzzles. You can even bring a fairytale castle to life with our new augmented reality Instagram filter!

Explore our mountain landscapes

The uplands account for around 85% of our total landholding. That's some 250 square miles of high and wild places, including 46 of the country's 282 Munros. These are places with rich histories, charismatic wildlife, complex geology and a unique culture.

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Discover what makes our mountain landscapes so magnificent.

Meet the Makers

The Trust is proud to support talented makers and craftspeople from across Scotland, by selling their products in our shops. This time, we meet Laura Cooke of Botanic Isles Jewellery.

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The Trust''s Meet the Makers series is sponsored by Naked Wines.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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Take a virtual journey across Canna

With our events programme still on hold this summer, we decided to film our planned walk to the Canna puffin stack, to share with you the beautiful wildlife on the island.

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Enjoy a view of the wonderful?puffins in their usual nesting spot, as well as other seabirds, lapwing, geese and wheatear, and the rich variety of wildflowers.

Best gardens in Scotland

Looking for the best Scottish gardens to visit? Discover the most beautiful gardens near you and all over Scotland, with something to suit all tastes.

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From Threave Garden in Dumfries & Galloway to Inverewe Garden in Wester Ross, we care?for many glorious gardens and designed landscapes, covering over 1,500 hectares of land.

Online art competition

Enter our online art competition for your chance to win?a ?100 Lidl voucher! Choose one of our amazing places as your inspiration, and upload your entry on social media using #NTSArt by Monday?31 August.

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Winners will be selected from each of the following age categories: 12 & under, 13-17 and 18 & over.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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Take a virtual tour

Although you can''t get out to our wonderful places, we''re doing our best to bring them to you.?

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Join Brodie Castle head gardener Ed Walling as he takes you on a relaxing tour around the stunning shrubbery. Bathed in glorious sunshine, you''ll hear the sound of beautiful birdsong as you discover the impressive display of plants and trees - you'll feel as though you were really there.

Scottish Animal World Cup

After 11 weeks of hard-fought competition, with almost 60,000 votes cast in 31 rounds, the first-ever Scottish Animal World Cup came to a thrilling close this week with the crowning of the nation's favourite.

Help us protect Scotland

The money raised from Trust membership is crucial to ensuring our work continues to protect and care for our beautiful places and spaces across Scotland for future generations to enjoy.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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We''re all in this together

Now, more than ever, it's important we all care for the things that really matter. We've created a special film to show why we do what we do ... for the love of Scotland.

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Your support will enable us to continue to protect and promote everything that makes this country so special.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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We''re Facing Our Past

It's Black History Month, and the National Trust for Scotland is embarking on a new project that will explore the role the slave trade played in the histories of Scotland and some of the Trust's most-loved properties.

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Facing Our Past will use sources and previously unavailable research techniques to delve into stories that have been hidden or simply forgotten (sometimes conveniently). These show how the slave trade impacted on places and people in Scotland's past, leaving a legacy that affects us today.

Africans at the court of James IV

We''re also focusing on Africans who were known to be part of the royal Scottish court in the early 1500s.

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It's often assumed that African people arrived in Scotland in the 18th century, or even later. But in fact Africans were resident in Scotland much earlier, and in the early 16th century they were high-status members of the royal retinue.

Video: Our difficult histories

?Jennifer Melville, Project Leader for Facing Our Past, discusses the legacy of slavery and empire at our properties.

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Watch as she explores the more difficult and deeper aspects of our stories, and sheds new light on them through the delivery of textured, varied and truthful stories.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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More of our places reopening

As well as the 40+ Trust properties that?have already reopened in recent weeks, including Culloden visitor centre and?Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, we're delighted to welcome you back to?even more of our amazing?places across the country, including Crathes Castle?and the Georgian House.

Highlight plants at Crarae Garden

In Scotland, September sees many plants beginning?their seasonal change from lush summer green into wonderfully mixed autumnal colours.

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One of the finest places to see this is Crarae Garden in the heart of Argyll. The garden, often referred to as a 'Himalayan gorge', has a plant collection that covers over 900 species from around the world.

A Gladstone's Land plague remedy

For hundreds of years,?plague ravaged Scotland. The residents of Edinburgh had their own ideas about how to keep themselves safe. A book published in 1594 outlined the best antidotes and remedies to fight the disease, many of which contained items sold at?Gladstone''s Land.

Vintage cleaning hacks

We've dug through the Tenement House Archive to find the best cleaning hacks from the past.

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Discoloured stains on china? Sweat marks?on clothing??Shabby wooden chopping boards??Not a problem - look through?our online gallery?to discover a helpful household hint!

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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You''re the best

In the midst of these challenging times, we want to say a big thank you to all those who are supporting us - it means the world to us.

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With your continued support, our beautiful places and spaces will remain protected and cared for in the coming months. We can't wait to welcome you back once it's safe to do so.

Inspiring places

Countless artworks take as their inspiration not only the landscape of Scotland, but also its wonderful historic buildings. We care for these amazing places so they can continue to inspire future generations.

Become a member today

The money raised from Trust membership is crucial to ensuring our work continues to protect and care for our beautiful places and spaces across Scotland for future generations to enjoy.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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A wildlife-watching week

We''re delighted to launch a new?series of?Spotter''s Guides?for you?to enjoy. First up, birds!

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We look after the habitats of more than a million seabirds, as well as birds that nest in our woodlands and hills. Find out more about these feathered friends, and see if you can spot them near your home.

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Share your spots with us on social using #ForTheLoveOfScotland

Take a virtual tour

Although many of our wonderful places are still closed, we''re doing our best to bring them to you.

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This time, join?Fyvie Castle gardeners Stuart Stockley and Gordon Thomson?as they take you on a fascinating tour around the Walled Garden of Scottish Fruits, home to the country''s largest collection of Scottish fruits and vegetables.

Help us protect Scotland

The money raised from Trust membership is crucial to ensuring our work continues to protect and care for our beautiful places and spaces across Scotland for future generations to enjoy.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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The cupola at Holmwood House

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Your Gift In Action:

Holmwood House

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Known for the strong influence of ancient Greece in its architecture, Holmwood is possibly the best example of Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's architectural vision and his interior designs. From its columns and cupolas to its elegant floor-to-ceiling windows, Holmwood is one of the most compelling neo-Greek buildings from the Victorian era.

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We are carefully restoring its original features and this work would not have been made possible without the support of our donors. Watch conservators talk about the challenges and successes we''ve achieved so far in the following videos.

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Under the skin

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National Trust for Scotland Curator Emma Inglis and Wall Paintings Conservator Karen Dundas describe the challenge of investigating the historic interiors at Holmwood.

Peeling away the past

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National Trust for Scotland Conservator Suzie Reid and Wall Paintings Conservators Karen Dundas and Shannon Millar explain how layers of old paint are uncovered to reveal Alexander Thomson's schemes.

Copying a master

The team of curators, conservators and decorators explain the process of reinstating the interiors of Holmwood, using information gained through paint scrapes and paint analysis.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our Holmwood interiors restoration project and made this work possible. There''s still work to be done and donations will help us continue our restoration schedule.?

Christmas Shopping Made Easier (and discount code!)

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We know it might be difficult to get to some of our shops at the moment, so we wanted to remind you that you can do your Christmas shopping via our online shop which is brimming with beautiful Christmas gift ideas and exclusive products and collections inspired by Scotland's history and crafted by Scottish makers, as well as Christmas essentials such as Christmas cards and our 2021 calendar.

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We have a new range of hampers and gift boxes this year - including one featuring our very own Pinewood Gin created by the Mar Lodge team! It is absolutely delicious and you can read all about how it is made here.

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See our series of Meet the Maker stories to find out more about some of the other product ranges we have for sale and the people behind them. And remember, by shopping with us you're helping us protect Scotland's heritage.

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We're happy to share a discount code with you; enter the code?NTSF2020 at checkout in the online shop to save 10% on full price lines (excluding alcohol, hampers and clearance lines).

Pioneering Spirit:

Virtual Whisky Tasting 10^th December

To celebrate our new partnership with The Glenlivet, we're inviting you join to Daniel Rhodes (NTS Archaeologist) and Master Distiller from The Glenlivet, Alan Winchester, on a journey of discovery with an exclusive virtual tasting exploring the origins of the Original Speyside Single Malt.

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In this special online event, Daniel Rhodes, Archaeologist at the National Trust for Scotland, will guide you through how the Pioneering Spirit project is uncovering these illicit stills and forgotten bothies from almost 200 years ago. Then our very own Master Distiller, Alan Winchester, will host a tasting of three unique whiskies from The Glenlivet - introducing our heritage and guiding you through the origins, aromas and flavours of each signature Single Malt.

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You'll receive your very own tasting kit delivered to your door (UK only) including three miniatures from The Glenlivet so that you can taste along at home! Tickets are priced at ?25 and ?5 of every ticket purchased will be donated to the National Trust for Scotland.

WIN ?1,000 this Christmas

Win a ?1,000 this December by playing our Christmas raffle. Every ?1 ticket in the Christmas Raffle has the chance to win our top prize of ?1,000 and we're also giving away a four night stay for two at our self-catering property Gardeners Cottage at Drum Castle and the chance to win one of our coveted Christmas Hampers valued at ?200.

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The draw will take place on?18th December 2020, and by entering our charity Christmas Raffle you'll not only have the opportunity to win great prizes, but you'll also be helping us to care for the things we all love about Scotland. It costs just??1 per ticket?- and with your help we can make sure that our history always has a home and that our countryside remains unspoilt.

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To buy your tickets phone?0131 458 0431?today or email fundraising@nts.org.uk to request a book of tickets to be sent to you.?

Turning the Tide:

Grey Seals at St Abb''s?Head

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It's heartening to hear of the thriving grey seal population at St Abb's, which is having a record-breaking pupping season.?So far, nearly 1700 pups have been counted on the shore.?

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Seals are always fun to watch as they seem to be very curious and will swim in parallel with you as you walk along the beach. Their calling in the evening and at night can be quite eerie if you don't know what it is.?This perhaps explains why they were the inspiration for Scotland's mythical 'selkies' - creatures who take the form of a seal in water and a person on land.

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The grey seal is one of the rarer species of seal found in the UK and 80% of their UK population call Scotland home. St Abb''s Head is one of their largest breeding sites in Scotland and we work hard in protecting their bredding grounds and the pups that born here.?

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We couldn''t carry out this work without our supporters, especially our donors to February''s Turning the Tide appeal. Thanks to your support we''re able to continue our vital coastal conservation work.?

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The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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We''re still open!

Over 40 of our places are still open for you to enjoy?and?make the most of the shorter days. And remember . our beautiful countryside places are open every day, all year round.

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Please adhere to local restrictions as set out by the Scottish Government when visiting our places, and check individual property pages for more information (including opening times) before you set off.

Preparing your garden for winter

As the season changes, so do the endeavours of the gardener.?There are lots of winter jobs that must be done to prepare our places for the following year, and many are the same for any garden.

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Here are some top winter gardening tips from our experts at Geilston Garden.

Holmwood revealed

Holmwood is widely acknowledged as the best surviving example of Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's domestic architecture.

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Watch these?short videos from our team of experts uncovering and recreating the original interior design.

Raise a virtual glass for St Andrew's Day

Join us and Naked Wines for a live virtual wine tasting on Thursday 26?November at 8pm.

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Special guest winemaker Jen Pfeiffer will lead a taste exploration of her belly-warming wines, along with Naked's Master of Wine, Ray O'Connor. Plus, the Trust's Head of Archaeology, Derek Alexander, will be unearthing Scotland's links to the global wine industry.

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Grab your exclusive case of 6 delicious wines and make sure the date is in your diary to kick-start your St Andrew''s Day celebrations!

Meet the Makers

The Trust is proud to support talented makers and craftspeople from across Scotland, by selling their products in our physical and online shops.

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This time, we meet Sally Robertson from the Own Label Company.

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?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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Please help us protect Scotland''s landscapes?

We're delighted that people are able to enjoy Scotland's beauty once again. Our famous peaks and landscapes are attracting more visitors than ever, but the impact is visible.

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We want to ensure that these landscapes remain unspoilt for everyone to enjoy again and our footpath maintenance is a vital part of this work. Without clear pathways, walkers find different routes and their footprints start to erode the surrounding area. This damage destroys the delicate upland ecosystems, and leaves plants and vegetation vulnerable to the harsh Scottish weather and our habitats and wildlife exposed.

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We need to get back out to repair, build and maintain our network of paths across Scotland. As a charity we rely on donations to achieve this and with the impact of the pandemic on the Trust being far-reaching and ongoing,?we need your help more than ever.?

New tracks and erosion forming on Ben Lawers, Perthshire

Re-thatching Burns Cottage

Thanks to the support from donors across the globe, work on re-thatching Burns Cottage is now complete.?

Burns Cottage is cosy three-room thatched property where Burns was born and lived until the age of seven. Born to humble beginnings, Burns and his family lived side by side with their farm animals. In the kitchen, they ate their meals together, read by the crackling fireside and received their earliest schooling.?

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Unfortunately, time and Scotland's wet winters had taken their toll and the Cottage had reached a point where the roof required major repairs; at the back of the home, the thatch had developed significant tears and had worn away; towards the front, moss began to grow, collecting rainwater and rotting the thatch underneath. The north-west gable started to crack and pull away from the rest of the cottage, letting the wind and rain in, damaging the interior plasterwork. ??

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Following months of consultation, the Trust received planning permission in late 2019, and the cottage was shut in November to enable internal works to get underway. We restored the plasterwork and limewashed the walls, repaired loose pointing in the stone floor and completed minor electrical works. Finally, we undertook extensive joinery repairs to the windows and doors to ensure the wind and rain is kept out.?

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After a brief reopening for Burns celebrations in January, scaffolding went up in early February and rethatching the roof started later that month. We initially struggled to find a master thatcher for the job due to a skills shortage, so we were delighted to find Master Thatcher Peter Brugge, who thatched the cottage using sustainably sourced Maris Huntsman wheat. He replaced the top layer of thatch, which had become damaged from water collection and moss growth. ???

This project was initially planned to conclude in spring 2020 and the cottage was scheduled to reopen in April. Unfortunately, due to the impact of COVID-19 this has had to be postponed and the final elements of the work were delayed. We were able to finally wrap the project up in July 2020 and the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum opened to the public in August, albeit with several elements of the property remaining closed and social distancing measures in place.

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On behalf of everyone here at the National Trust for Scotland, we?would like to thank all our generous supporters who made the restoration possible. Burns is a beloved national treasure and we are immensely proud to care for his birthplace. The rejuvenated cottage will delight and inspire visitors from all over the world, offering a tangible connection to Scotland's most famous poet.

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Win up to ?5,000!

You can now support the Trust by playing the Scottish Heritage Lottery.?

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Dozens of lucky winners are already enjoying the opportunity to treat themselves after winning weekly prizes in the draw. Tickets cost just ?1 and you''ll have the chance to claim a first prize of ?500 each week, as well?as smaller prizes of ?50 and ?5. There''s also the chance to win up to ?5,000 in our Lottery Rollover.

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The money raised?through the Lottery goes directly towards funding our work caring for Scotland's natural and national heritage - cleaning our beaches, maintaining access to mountains and looking after our gorgeous gardens.?

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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What to expect when visiting

We''ve made a short film to show you some of the safety measures we''ve put in place at our properties, to make your visit safe and enjoyable.

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In light of the Scottish Government''s recent announcement, those living in Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire & Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley are advised not to travel outside their health board area?if they don't need to. Likewise, people in other parts of Scotland should not travel to these areas if they don't need to.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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Looking after Scotland under lockdown

Our properties may not be open to visitors, but an extraordinary amount of work has been going on behind the scenes - work we couldn''t do without our amazing supporters.

Scottish Animal World Cup

We've been on a mission to find Scotland's favourite animal! Thousands of votes have been cast so far in a very closely run contest. You can vote for your favourites?on our Facebook and Twitter pages every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

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We've now reached the quarter finals. Who will win? Find out more about the final contenders.

We need your support

The money raised from Trust membership is crucial to ensuring our work continues to protect and care for our beautiful places and spaces across Scotland for future generations to enjoy.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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Gardens and grounds reopening

We're thrilled to be welcoming visitors again at dozens of gardens and estates across the country, as lockdown continues to ease.

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Around 30 more places will reopen from Monday 6 July, including Culzean Country Park, Threave Garden, Brodie Castle's garden and grounds, Arduaine Garden, and Crathes Castle's garden and estate.

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This is a special moment, and one we couldn''t have reached without our supporters. We can''t wait to welcome you back and?share our beautiful places with you once more.

What to expect

As we all know, there is still a threat from COVID-19 and that means we've had to make some changes so that we can keep you and our staff safe. Although we're sure you'll enjoy your visits to the fabulous places we care for, things will be a bit different for the foreseeable future.

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Here are a few hints and tips as well as a guide to what you can expect.

Help us protect Scotland

The money raised from Trust membership is crucial to ensuring our work continues to protect and care for our beautiful places and spaces across Scotland for future generations to enjoy.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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NEW Spotter''s Guide

As you''re now able to visit our beautiful outdoor spaces?again, there''s lots of exploring for you to enjoy.

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The Trust cares for some of Scotland's most magnificent trees, and it's likely that you'll find many of the species in these guides growing at our places. Click on the individual species?to find out more about how to spot them.

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Share your finds with us on social using #ForTheLoveOfScotland

Introducing our new Chief Executive

We''re delighted to welcome our new Chief Executive, Phil?Long, who?joins the Trust at a challenging time?-?perhaps the greatest in our?90-year history.

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As our gardens and grounds reopen, Phil says thank you to our members, visitors and donors for their support of the Trust over the last few months.

Behind the scenes

We may be?famous for stately homes and historic buildings, but we do so much more than that. Here are 10 behind-the-scenes examples of the way the Trust protects Scotland's heritage and boosts local communities.

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?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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Pledge your love for Scotland

We're excited to share with you our brand new film. It features our own members?making a promise to help us protect and preserve our national heritage for all, now and into the future.

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With the support of our members, we can continue to care for everything that makes this country so special. So if you love Scotland like we do, pledge your love and join us today.

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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Merry Christmas from everyone at the National Trust for Scotland!

Our heartfelt thanks to all who supported us this year.

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It''s only with your?support that we?can?continue to care for the places in Scotland we all love, so that they can be enjoyed now and in the future.

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We were delighted to welcome you back to many Trust places this year, and we''re looking forward to many more wonderful experiences with you in 2021!

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#ForTheLoveOfScotland

?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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Give the gift of membership

Looking for a last-minute Christmas gift? Membership is the perfect solution with an easy online purchase and a digital gift voucher for instant gifting.?Share your love for Scotland and tick that last thing off your list.?

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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New Christmas traditions for 2020

As we approach a Christmas that'll be like no other, we turn to our collections for inspiration and invent some new traditions for 2020 that will bring?some much-needed midwinter merriment.

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These ideas are all intended to take place outdoors, to enable households to interact in a safe and socially distanced way.

Red squirrel success story

The red squirrel translocation project represents part of a larger strategy to establish long-term viable populations in the North West of Scotland. Our most northerly heritage garden, Inverewe, is playing a vital part in its success.

Brand new spotter''s guides

We''re delighted to launch four brand?new?spotter''s guides for you to enjoy. We look after a?rich variety of natural habitats, which means?you can discover a wide range of stunning Scottish wildlife throughout the year.

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With these guides, you''ll learn all you need to know about the incredible species at Ben Lomond, Glencoe, The Hermitage and St Abb''s Head.

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Share your spots with us on social using #ForTheLoveOfScotland

A Georgian House Christmas

Did you know that in the late 18th and early 19th century, Christmas was celebrated for a full month? Discover how Christmas might have been celebrated at the Georgian House.

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How was their home decorated? What traditions and customs were observed? What did they eat and drink? Drop in on?the Lamont family?as they celebrate the festive season with their family and friends!

#ForTheLoveOfScotland

?The National Trust for Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410?

Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh?EH11 4DF

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