House of the Binns reopens tomorrow

THE House of the Binns reopens tomorrow following major conservation work. The restoration project is part of the National Trust for Scotland’s ten-year strategy – “Nature, Beauty & Heritage for Everyone” – which was launched at the 17th-century country house a year ago. The conservation charity, which has been caring for House of the Binns…

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Conservationists object to Coul Links golf course

WILDLIFE charities are calling on the public to object to plans for a golf course at Coul Links in Sutherland. Seven organisations – including the National Trust for Scotland, the RSPB, and the Scottish Wildlife Trust – are “extremely concerned” about revised plans submitted to The Highland Council. Craig Macadam, conservation director at insect charity…

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Jackie Bird helps pupils with time travel

TELEVISION presenter Jackie Bird helped pupils travel back in time at one of the National Trust for Scotland’s (NTS’s) properties. Bird, who is president of the NTS, joined children from St Vincent’s Primary School when they visited Pollok House to take part in a trial of “Timesliders”, the trust’s new education programme. She helped pupils…

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Jackie Bird is new National Trust for Scotland president

TELEVISION presenter Jackie Bird was appointed as president of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) on Saturday. Members of the charity approved her appointment at the trust’s annual general meeting (AGM) in Glasgow. David Mitchell, who convened the AGM as deputy chair of the NTS, said: “Jackie Bird is already a committed friend to the…

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Tributes are paid to The Queen

TRIBUTES are being paid to Her Majesty The Queen, who died peacefully at Balmoral. The King and the Queen Consort are due to travel from Royal Deeside to London today. King Charles III led the tributes last night. “The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness…

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Gin Round-up: Mary King’s Close, Rock Rose, NTS, and more

Peter Ranscombe distills the latest stories from the world of gin into a light-hearted round-up. YOU might have thought that some of the botanicals that end up in gin are a wee bit scary – but wait until you visit The Real Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh. The ghoulish tourist attraction beneath the streets of…

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Rare Coralroot Orchid found in Wester Ross

A RARE Coralroot Orchid has been found in Wester Ross for the first time in 250 years. The orchid was spotted earlier this month on on the National Trust for Scotland’s Balmacara Estate during a visit by conservation land managers from the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest. Gus Routledge, an ecologist representing Reforesting Scotland and Scotland…

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Scottish forests join The Queen’s Green Canopy

TWENTY-ONE of Scotland’s ancient forests and 19 of its ancient trees have been selected to join The Queen’s Green Canopy. The woodlands are among 70 ancient woodlands and 70 ancient trees being dedicated to the Queen to mark her platinum jubilee. The project was launched by Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay, under an old…

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Planting trees for the Queen’s Green Canopy event

The National Trust for Scotland was delighted to start its participation in The Queen’s Green Canopy with a planting in the grounds of Haddo House, in Aberdeenshire. The QGC is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites everyone from across the United Kingdom to Plant a…

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NTS mounts another clean-up after storms

The National Trust for Scotland is once again cleaning up after storms caused damage to trees and structures. Right across the country, from the impressive, designed landscapes of the estates of the North East including Fyvie Castle, Castle Fraser and Crathes Castle, to the shelterbelt at Inverewe Garden in Wester Ross, the woodlands at Killiecrankie…

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