National Trust for Scotland

National Trust for Scotland

File:NationalTrustScotland.svg
Motto	A place for everyone
Formation	1931
Legal status	Trust
Headquarters	Edinburgh, Scotland
Location	Scotland
Official language	English
Website	http://www.nts.org.uk

Craigievar Castle, Aberdeenshire, one of many properties in the care of the charity

The National Trust for Scotland for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, commonly known as the National Trust for Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Urras Nàiseanta na h-Alba) describes itself as "the conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotland's natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to enjoy."

History

The Trust was established in 1931 and (as of 2010) had 450 employees, over 310,000 members, and 1.5 million recorded visitors. It is similar in function to the National Trust, which covers England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and to other national trusts worldwide. The Trust's Patron is Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay; the President is James, Earl of Lindsay, and the Chairman is Sir Kenneth Calman. It is a registered charity under Scottish law.

The Trust owns and manages around 130 properties and 180,000 acres (730 km²) of land, including castles, ancient small dwellings, historic sites, gardens, and remote rural areas. Most grounds and open spaces are open throughout the year but buildings may generally only be visited from Easter to October, sometimes only in the afternoons.

Originally, the charity owned properties rather than "wilderness" areas. When the Trust took on the management of rural estates there was controversy concerning issues such as the siting of visitor centres and placing of signposts. However, the Trust has learned to adopt a more sensitive approach, even to the extent of removing some intrusive facilities such as the original Glen Coe Visitor Centre.

In August 2010, a report called Fit For Purpose by George Reid, commissioned by the Trust, cited shortcomings that were corrected though organizational restructuring largely completed by the end of its 2011/12 Fiscal Year.

Membership

Annual membership of the Trust allows free entry to properties and "Discovery Tickets" are available for shorter term visitors. Membership also provides free entry to National Trust properties in England and Wales and Northern Ireland, and vice versa. The Trust has independent sister organizations in the United States (The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA), and Canada (The Canadian National Trust for Scotland Foundation). The organisation's membership magazine, Scotland in Trust, is published three times a year.

For the maintenance of its nature properties, the Trust depends on the contributions of volunteers, with local circles of Conservation Volunteers working on projects during weekends. The charity also organises working holidays called "Thistle Camps" on various properties, with activities undertaken including footpath maintenance and woodland work such as rhododendron control.

See also

File:Loch lomond1.jpg

The Trust owns large areas of upland, including Ben Lomond

• List of National Trust for Scotland properties
• Historic Scotland

Further reading

• Bremner, Douglas. For the Benefit of the Nation. McGraw-Hill Contemporary. 2001. ISBN 978-0-901625-69-4

External links

• The National Trust for Scotland
• The National Trust for Scotland Thistle Camps
• The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA
• Scotland in Trust Magazine