National Trust for Scotland
Encyclopedia
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
's natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to enjoy.
History
The Trust was established in 1931 and had 450 employees, over 310,000 members, and 1.5 million recorded visitors. It is similar in function to the National TrustNational Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
, which covers England, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, and to other national trusts worldwide. The Trust's Patron is Charles, Duke of Rothesay
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
; the President is the Duke of Buccleuch, and the Chairman is Sir Kenneth Calman.
The Trust owns and manages around 130 properties and 180000 acres (728.4 km²) of land, including castles, ancient small dwellings, historic sites, gardens
Gardens in Scotland
-Argyll and Bute:*Achamore Gardens on Gigha*An Cala on Seil*Ardkinglas Estate , Cairndow*Ardnaiseig*Arduaine*Bargullan*Colonsay House gardens*Crarae, run by the National Trust for Scotland *Eckford 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.
Glen Coe
Glen Coe is a glen in the Highlands of Scotland. It lies in the southern part of the Lochaber committee area of Highland Council, and was formerly part of the county of Argyll. It is often considered one of the most spectacular and beautiful places in Scotland, and is a part of the designated...
Visitor Centre.
David Learmont, the first curator of the National Trust for Scotland for more than 28 years, died in July 2009 aged 74.
In August 2010, a report called 'Fit For Purpose' by George Reid
George Reid (Scottish politician)
George Newlands Reid, PC , is a Scottish politician. From February 1974 to 1979 he served as a Scottish National Party Member of Parliament for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire. He was elected in 1999 as a Member of the newly established Scottish Parliament as a regional MSP for Mid Scotland and...
, commissioned by the Trust, stated that the organisation was close to financial collapse, had no central register of its assets, and would have to sell off some of its non-visited properties and make drastic changes to its governance if it was to survive.
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 an independent sister organization in the United States, The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA, headed by Curt DiCamilloCurt DiCamillo
Curt Jonathan Gough DiCamillo is a noted architectural historian and, since 2004, the Executive Director of the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA....
. The organisation's membership magazine,Scotland in Trust, is published three times a year by CMYK Design. The magazine won the Periodical Publishers Association
Periodical Publishers Association
The Professional Publishers Association - formerly known as the Periodical Publishers Association - is a publishing industry body which promotes and protects the interests of companies involved in the production of consumer, customer and business media in the United Kingdom.The PPA's work is...
award for customer magazine of the year in 2005.
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
Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
maintenance and woodland work such as rhododendron
Rhododendron ponticum
Rhododendron ponticum, called Common Rhododendron or Pontic Rhododendron, is a species of Rhododendron native to southern Europe and southwest Asia.-Description:...
control.