National Trust for Scotland reopens more facilities

National Trust for Scotland has reopened play parks, cafes and visitor centres at several properties across the country.

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.