Tag: National Entitlement Card

Explore Edinburgh this summer with the National Trust for Scotland

With over 100 sites across the country, including six in and around Edinburgh, and activities for all interests, spend your summer with the National Trust for Scotland:

The National Trust for Scotland is offering visitors the opportunity to spend their summer exploring the nature, beauty and heritage of Scotland, with a different site to discover each day, alongside lots of fun-packed summer activities to try across Edinburgh and the surrounds.

Summer officially starts today, 21 June, shortly followed by the school holidays, and families will be looking for inspiration to fill those long summer days. The Edinburgh area alone offers a wealth of opportunity for the summer months, with sites including the Georgian House and Newhailes House in Musselburgh.

New and existing members of the conservation charity can visit its 129 sites for as little as £5.25 for adults and £9.80 per month for families, equating to just 17p or 32p per day, making it a great value option for excitement-filled days, all while contributing towards the conservation of Scottish heritage.

From paddling and kayaking at Kintail, to conquering Ben Lomond, whirling through the Wild Wood at Crathes Castle, going down the rabbit hole at Brodie Castle’s Playful Garden, minding your Ps and Qs at Robert Smail’s Printing Works, or drinking in the breath-taking views at Glencoe National Nature Reserve, summer fun abounds with the National Trust for Scotland. 

The Trust also recently relaunched its initiative with Young Scot which offers anyone aged 11-25 with a Young Scot National Entitlement Card the chance to visit National Trust for Scotland properties, such as the tranquil Malleny Garden and the carefully restored Gladstone’s Land on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile for just £1.

For families searching for budget-friendly ways to keep children amused during the holidays, the Trust has a packed programme to help with summer holiday planning. Events taking place across the Edinburgh area include Doghailes on 31 July at Newhailes House, a fun dog event for all the family with competitions, food and drink and lots of activities for furry four-legged friends.

For those looking to embrace the health and wellbeing benefits of the outdoors there’s no shortage of breath-taking views to discover and gardens to enjoy.

Inveresk Lodge Garden is a peaceful spot tucked away in a charming village near Musselburgh while Malleny Garden is the place to go to see heritage roses sat beneath 400-year-old-yew trees.

Additionally, for people looking to soak up some culture and discover more about Scotland’s heritage, the Trust holds a wealth of stories and objects which have been passed down through the centuries at some of Scotland’s most notable historical homes, large and small.

The Georgian House in Edinburgh’s New Town has an interesting collection of paintings, costumes and period furnishings, while the immersive visitor experience at Gladstone’s Land takes you through three centuries of the building’s history.

Under an hour outside the city, you’ll also find The Royal Burgh of Culross where you can experience the paranormal in an after-hours tour of Culross Palace, or, if you prefer a more peaceful experience, Dollar Glen provides a serene green escape.

And if all of that isn’t enough, The Trust is also hosting a programme of events throughout the summer, including:

  • Doghailes 22 – a firm favourite for canine lovers, Doghailes takes place at Newhailes Estate, Musselburgh, on 31 July.
  • Redcoats in Residence – Alan Breck’s Regiment bring a Jacobite re-enactment to Gladstone’s Land on the 9 July. Meet soldiers of the Edinburgh city Guard as they support the army’s plans to march out against Bonnie Prince Charlie.
  • Carhailes 22– Carhailes is back, and its bigger and better then ever, with iconic cars old and new gracing Newhailes estate on 28 August.
  • Ceilidh in the Courtyard– an evening of dancing and amazing music brought to you by the Scottish fiddle Orchestra will be held in the stables courtyard of Newhailes estate on 13August.

Philip Long OBE, Chief Executive of The National Trust for Scotland, said: “The last two years have been a difficult time for us all, but our charity was pleased that our countryside and gardens were able to provide respite to many.

“As the country gets back on its feet post-pandemic, we look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors to our places and helping them to make the most of a summer free of travel restrictions and lockdowns.

“At the Trust we pride ourselves on creating memorable experiences. Whether attending one of our creative events, enjoying an engaging historical tour or taking part in an adventure activity, there are lots of ways to enjoy all that Scotland has to offer.

“We want to inspire everyone who spends time at our places and encourage even more people to discover the National Trust for Scotland. With so many of our beautiful places, spread all over Scotland, visitors could explore a different one every day of the summer holidays and still have more to discover. We look forward to welcoming back regular visitors, reconnecting with those we’ve missed over the past few years, and welcoming new audiences this summer to experience nature, beauty and heritage.”

Established in 1931, the National Trust for Scotland cares for, shares and speaks up for Scotland’s magnificent heritage. 

Membership, which provides funding for Scotland’s largest conservation charity, can be purchased online from just £9.80 per month for families, £5.25 for adults and £3 for children.

For more information on the National Trust for Scotland and to plan your summer itinerary, visit: www.nts.org.uk.

£1 entry to Scotland’s historic sites returns for all Young Scot National Entitlement Card holders

The initiative between National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, and Historic Houses Scotland, seeks to engage the next generation with Scotland’s heritage

The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, and Historic Houses Scotland, today announces the relaunch of its campaign to offer all Young Scot National Entitlement Card holders access to over 600 historic sites across the country for only £1. 

The initiative encourages young people to get out and explore many of the historic sites Scotland has to offer. With natural and built sites across the country there’s an experience for everyone to enjoy, from stunning landscapes through to castles, magnificent gardens, historic dwellings, and significant places, such as the battlefields on which the nation’s future turned.

The £1 offer means that anyone aged 11-25 with a Young Scot National Entitlement Card will be able to visit 100 National Trust for Scotland properties, such as the spectacular Culzean Castle in Ayrshire and the carefully restored Gladstone’s Land in Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. It also enables access to over 70 Historic Environment Scotland properties across the length and breadth of the country, including iconic sites such as Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle.

In addition to offering £1 entry to all National Trust for Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland sites, Young Scot National Entitlement Card holders can also access the following Historic Houses Scotland sites this year: Inveraray Castle, Ballindalloch Castle, Blair Castle, Hopetoun House, Cawdor Castle, Floors Castle & Drummond Castle. 

Originally introduced in 2018, the initiative has seen young people across the country save hundreds of thousands of pounds in entry fees to enjoy and explore Scotland’s rich heritage.

Philip Long OBE, Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland, said: “The last two years have been a challenging time for all of us and exploration of the beautiful places Scotland has to offer was a cherished respite.

“Now that we are largely free from restrictions, we hope to welcome more people back to our sites and encourage young people with a Young Scot card to get out there and explore the wealth of places available to them across the country.

“At the Trust we know how much of a positive impact access to Scotland’s heritage can have on wellbeing and happiness and we hope to share this with the next generation – something so important to us that we’ve made engagement with young people one of our key aims in our new strategy, Nature, Beauty & Heritage for Everyone.  Since 2018, we’ve seen many young people at our sites reaping the benefits of the reduced £1 entry and we look forward to welcoming many more in the coming months.”

Kirsten Urquhart, Chief Executive of Young Scot, commented: “Young Scot is delighted to be continuing our partnership with the National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, and Historic Houses Scotland – and supporting young people to access Scotland’s remarkable historic sites using their free Young Scot National Entitlement Card.

“If they are under 22 years old, they are also eligible for free nationwide bus travel using their card, making it even easier to enjoy the hundreds of historic sites Scotland offers.”

Alex Paterson, Chief Executive at Historic Environment Scotland said: “We are delighted to once more be a part of this initiative and be able to offer Young Scot cardholders the opportunity to explore many of our historic sites for only £1.

“This summer I would like to encourage as many of Scotland’s young people as possible to take advantage of this initiative and explore some of our much-loved heritage attractions, from castles to cairns, and enjoy our rich and diverse historic environment and the many benefits it brings.”

Andrew Hopetoun, Chairman of Historic Houses Scotland, said: “We are thrilled to be involved with this initiative. We represent the nation’s largest collection of independently owned historic houses and gardens and are here to ensure these historic homes stay alive for generations to come.

“Making these sites more accessible to young people is of huge importance to us and we hope that Young Scot card holders enjoy exploring our fascinating homes.”

Young Scot Card holders aged 11-25 will be able to access over 600 sites across the country. Since the scheme first started in 2018 sites including Crathes Castle, Pollok House and Brodick Castle have proven to be most popular with Young Scot National Entitlement Card holders.

To find out more and explore the full list of properties and locations available as part of the scheme, please visit all participating organisations’ websites:

 nts.org.uk, 

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/ ,

or historichouses.org,

or visit young.scot/the-young-scot-card for more information on the National Entitlement Card.