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.
Children attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!
READ MOREScottish trad supergroup Mànran will headline a one-off live show on the Mound this month, as part of the return of Innis & Gunn's popular Edinburgh Festival Fringe takeover.
READ MORESUSHISAMBA Edinburgh launches its famed Champagne Afternoon Tea, with a refreshing summer spin, whilst guests enjoy unparalleled views from the restaurant’s home on the 10th floor of W Edinburgh!
READ MOREHot on the heels of a thrilling TravFest25 programme, the Traverse Theatre has announced the first details of the exciting work audiences can look forward to seeing in the venue from September.
READ MOREEdinburgh's West End has welcomed an exciting new destination as Don't Tell Mama, the beloved local coffee shop, officially opens The West End Garden.
READ MOREVirgin Hotels Edinburgh is excited to announce the creation of a brand new role, adding the first-ever 'Director of Mischief' position to its team.
READ MOREEdinburgh Zoo has welcomed Scotland’s only sloth bear, Cipísek, from Zlin Zoo in the Czech Republic.
READ MOREPubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.
READ MOREThis summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.
READ MOREThe inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.
READ MOREToday, Collective is delighted to announce and open a new programme, Panorama: New Views of a City, running from Wednesday 9 July to Sunday 21 December 2025.
READ MOREThis summer, The LEGO Group is excited to bring its new Summer Fun with Music Creativity Workshop directly to families in Edinburgh!
READ MOREScotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.
READ MOREFamilies will have the chance to meet some of this year’s biggest blockbuster-inspired characters for free at Fort Kinnaird this summer, as part of a series of exciting meet and greet sessions.
READ MOREThis week, the globally acclaimed venue, The Famous Spiegeltent makes her grand return to St Andrew Square after almost a decade away from her spiritual home.
READ MORENewtongrange Community Council is now pleased to reveal the names of the green-fingered locals that stood out in this historic garden contest.
READ MOREDynamic Earth launches its Toddler Tidal and Deep-Sea Discovery Zones in a bid provide accessible enrichment for little ones across the Capital.
READ MOREHis Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh welcomed Gold DofE Award holders to The Palace of Holyroodhouse this morning at a very special event to mark their achievements.
READ MOREBTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.
READ MOREFamily favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORECapital Theatres has today launched The People’s Archive, a digital exhibition that celebrates the rich history and cultural legacy of the King’s Theatre.
READ MOREA Disney-loving mum and her one-year-old daughter have been crowned Edinburgh’s biggest Stitch fans after winning a competition hosted by Fort Kinnaird.
READ MORELivingston Designer Outlet goes Jurassic crazy this July with lifelike dinosaurs, ranger training and endless photo opportunities for the whole family to enjoy.
READ MOREDeparting on Saturday 29th November 2025 at from Edinburgh Waverley, this enchanting lunchtime journey will be led by the iconic 60532 Blue Peter.
READ MOREEdinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has today announced its programme of screenings and events for its 2025 edition.
READ MOREParty at the Palace will host Scotland’s first solar-powered festival stage, the GreenFox Energy Breakthrough Stage, twinning clean energy and the joy of live music.
READ MOREGilded Balloon has unveiled a huge line-up of comedy stars to take part in a special ‘40 Years of Fringe’ in conversation series, to celebrate the venue’s 40th anniversary.
READ MOREScotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.
READ MOREAhead of its programme launch on 2 July, EIFF venues will include Filmhouse, Cameo Cinema, Vue Omni and a new pop-up screen at National Galleries Scotland: National.
READ MOREOne of Edinburgh’s most popular city centre restaurants has started a new dining chapter at its famous Castle Street venue.
READ MORE