Article Source: National Trust for Scotland
Last Updated: 4 August 2020 15:10
The Playful Garden at Brodie Castle in Moray and Isle Be Wild at Brodick Country Park on the Isle of Arran are now open to the public and welcomed a weekend of visitors for the first time since they closed in March due to the coronavirus emergency.
Entry to Culloden Visitor Centre in Inverness, Robert Smail’s Printing Works in the Scottish Borders and Preston Mill in East Lothian will be by booked timeslots. This is in place to manage visitor numbers and maintain safe, social distancing. Bookings can be made on each property’s websites. The battlefield at Culloden can be accessed without pre-booking.
Visitor centres and cafés at the Trust’s countryside sites have also now opened. The immersive and informative visitor centres at Glencoe and Glenfinnan, which offer a gateway to the landscape and its history, will be open weekly from Wednesday to Sunday. At Inverewe Garden in Wester Ross, the public can now visit the Bothy café and visitor centre from Wednesday to Sunday.
Phil Long OBE, the new Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland said: “Many of our gardens and estates have been open since the start of July and it’s fantastic that we’re now able to reopen playparks and our brilliant visitor centres at more properties.
“At this time of year, our visitor centres are usually packed with tourists learning about Scotland’s fascinating history and while we won’t be expecting many international visitors, we do hope to see people from across the country discovering our places and learning about the work we do to care for them.
“With the threat of Covid-19 still very much at the forefront of our opening strategy, our teams have worked extremely hard to make the necessary adjustments at properties to keep visitors and staff safe. We ask anyone visiting to please stick to the latest guidance on hand hygiene and social distancing.
“It’s a late start to the summer holidays for many, but we’re really looking forward to welcoming back visitors of all ages. We hope to be making further announcements on our built places reopening as soon as we are able to open them safely and would like to thank all our members and donors who have continued to support us during this crisis.”
The National Trust for Scotland has been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic, creating a £28 million loss in essential income. The charity is running the Save Our Scotland appeal to raise £2.5 million to help the Trust continue its vital work to protect Scotland’s built and natural heritage.
Check www.nts.org.uk for latest information on all properties and to donate to the SOS appeal, go to www.nts.org.uk/campaigns/emergency-appeal.
Dozens of people gathered together for a song and a chat at a Saturday Get-Together event in the Methodist Central Hall, Paisley.
READ MOREFull cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MOREThe refurbishment of Paisley Museum has won a prestigious international award, recognising the significant role the project is playing in the town and wider region’s cultural regeneration.
READ MOREDobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MOREA sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland is going hopping mad for Easter and hosting a bumper 35 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care this spring.
READ MOREMore than one hundred children attended the West of Scotland's Parasport Festival, which took place at On-X Linwood on Monday 4th March.
READ MOREGreat Run 2024 series highlights inspirational stories from runners around the UK.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is bringing back its much-loved Easter event, inviting families to hop along to their nearest store and enjoy an Easter Bunny Breakfast egg-stravaganza.
READ MOREFriday 8th March marks International Women's Day and to celebrate Vue is set to screen four inspiring films which follow the achievements of incredible female leads.
READ MORENew research released by VisitScotland reveals the growing popularity of Scottish traditional music, finding that over a third of Scots (34%) are listening to it more often in the past year.
READ MORERenfrewshire's Big Spring Clean is back for another year, with litter picks set to take place throughout March and April.
READ MOREA stellar line-up of authors are set to take Paisley by storm at this year's Paisley Book Festival in April!
READ MOREThe AJ Bell Great Scottish Run is back on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October, and the Earlybird offer to save up to £8 off your entry ends this Friday 1st March at 10am.
READ MOREOneRen's Spring Kids Camps are set to return, bringing plenty of fun-filled action for children and young people during the school holidays.
READ MOREOneRen has expanded an initiative designed to help more people to make a big splash across Renfrewshire's five swimming pools.
READ MOREA Scottish author's poignant tale of generosity and kindness has raised £2,262 to help the homeless.
READ MOREDobbies is offering customers the chance to treat the mother figures in their lives to an indulgent Mother's Day Afternoon Tea experience and a special flower gift on March 9th & 10th.
READ MOREAn Impassioned photo-led exhibition that depicts the challenge, pride and responsibility felt by those working in Scotland’s fishing industry is to debut within the Scottish Parliament.
READ MOREDesigns have been revealed for play parks across Renfrewshire that will be renewed in the coming months, as part of a programme to provide fun and welcoming places for young people and families.
READ MOREAn innovative partnership between Paisley Museum and local community groups has secured a major grant to further develop educational and engagement opportunities.
READ MOREThe Scottish Influencer Awards, the major awards ceremony celebrating Scotland's stars of social, has announced the full shortlist of nominees in the running to be named the Influencer of the Year.
READ MOREToddler Brodie Barr suffers from a rare medical condition and has gone through fourteen major operations since he was born three yeas ago.
READ MOREThe community of Howwood gave a warm welcome to Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, chair of Renfrewshire Council's Fairer Renfrewshire sub-committee, when she visited their monthly coffee morning.
READ MOREThe University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and OneRen have signed a new strategic partnership which will improve access and opportunity for students and staff across both organisations.
READ MOREChannel 4's 'Location, Location, Location' is coming to Glasgow this Spring and they're looking for property hunters!
READ MORELocal talking newspaper charity for the blind and partially sighted Renfrewshire Sound is appealing for donations to continue vital service.
READ MOREDobbies is encouraging gardeners of all ages and skill levels across the country to get one of their 5 a day by learning how to grow soft fruits at one of its free workshops in March.
READ MOREMar Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort has announced a special Mother's Day event as it teams up with Glasgow-based fashion brand Kiwi & Co and other local businesses to welcome back guests to the hotel.
READ MOREScotland's largest wedding showcase, The Scottish Wedding Show, returns to Glasgow this Valentine's weekend and is putting love on display as the country celebrates 10 years of same sex marriage.
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"