Spring clean shoes to protect heritage, urges National Trust for Scotland

With warmer days on the way, visitors to gardens at National Trust for Scotland places are being asked to follow biosecurity measures throughout the spring and summer seasons.

Article Source: National Trust for Scotland
Last Updated: 8 April 2026 16:19

With warmer days on the way, many places cared for by the National Trust for Scotland have reopened for visitors to enjoy the range of spring-blooming flowers, trees and natural settings. Following a busy weekend in which over 20,000 people attended the Trust’s popular Easter Egg Trails, the Trust has issued a reminder of some simple measures visitors can take to help protect the places it cares for.

With 38 important gardens and designed landscapes, the National Trust for Scotland is the largest garden owner in Scotland. Visitors can enjoy spring-blooming flora throughout Scotland.

In greater Glasgow, visitors can marvel Greenbank Garden’s impressive collection of approximately 463 varieties of daffodils, or witness bees enjoying a range of spring flowers at Geilston Garden. At the Hill House, the protective steel scaffold temporarily protecting the building is open to visitors for a unique bird’s eye view of the gardens. A little further West, Crarae Woodland Garden in Argyll delivers new blooms and textures with each season, alongside peaceful paths leading to the gorge, rippling burn and waterfalls. Arduaine Garden, built in 1898 as appetite for foreign travel was growing, brings together a global collection of plants that deliver vibrant colour all year round.

In Ayrshire and Arran, Brodick Castle, Garden & Country Park offers an abundance of magnolias, rhododendrons and azaleas. Blossoms in the walled garden orchard and magnolias herald the start of the warmer weather at Culzean Castle & Country Park. At Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, a garden walk is rewarded with the sight of the Burns monument.

Threave Garden & Nature Reserve in Dumfries and Galloway delivers stunning designed landscapes packed with spring colour, including carpets of daffodils representing over 100 different cultivars. Broughton Garden, designed by Scottish artist E A Hornel, blends Eastern and Western horticulture, with spectacular views.

Large displays of spring-favourite daffodils can be found at House of the Binns and across the estate of Newhailes. Named ‘Best Garden in Scotland’ in 2026 by Which? Magazine, Branklyn Garden in Perth is a favourite among garden lovers and comes alive in spring with alpine flowers and rhododendrons.

In Fife, the terraces of Hill of Tarvit Mansion and the post-war designed garden at Falkland Palace will delight the green-fingered with a range of spring blooms, including bluebells. The walled garden at Kellie Castle offers a range of seasonal colour including plum and apple blossom. Visitors to the Royal Burgh of Culross can enjoy spring bulbs in the Palace Garden, modelled in the 17th century style.

Closer to Edinburgh, Inveresk Lodge Garden delights the senses with themed borders, alongside meadows and woodland. At Malleny Garden, garden lovers can enjoy Primula auricula blooming in the glasshouse and marvel at the 400-year-old yew trees. Harmony Garden delivers colour and fragrance in its walled garden and a historic bulb meadow featuring crocus, daffodils and rare, chequered snake’s head fritillaries.

Visitors to gardens at National Trust for Scotland places are being asked to follow biosecurity measures throughout the spring and summer seasons. These measures can help reduce the spread of pests, pathogens and invasive species, outbreaks of which can be expensive to tackle and damaging to the places in the Trust’s care.

Visitors should follow these top tips to keep gardens safe:

1. Give shoes a spring clean
Please clean footwear before arrival to ensure it’s free from mud and plant matter. If you arrive by vehicle, please try to keep to surfaced roads to avoid transferring mud between sites. If you regularly visit garden and countryside places, you might consider carrying a cleaning kit in your vehicle.

2. Keep to the path
Wandering onto muddy areas can increase the risk of contaminated soil being spread throughout the garden, so please keep to the designated paths wherever possible. If signage indicates that an area or path is closed, it may be for biosecurity reasons.

3. Use the boot wash wherever you find them
Bootwashes may appear at the entrance and exit of a garden. They aren’t everywhere but mainly placed where extra protection measures are necessary to protect our places. If you go inside a building, please wipe your feet.

4. Don’t bring your own seeds or plants to gardens
Many regular visitors form a close connection to places and wish to plant a tree as a memorial to a loved one, but this must be done with care to protect the whole garden environment. The Trust offers a range of options for those seeking to celebrate a loved one, more information about which can be found on the Trust’s website.

5. Be vigilant
Each of our sites are unique, so please follow any signage or direction from the team on site to make sure we’re protecting our gardens.

Stuart Maxwell, National Trust for Scotland’s Regional Director for the Edinburgh & East region, said: “Spring is a great time to visit gardens as we shake off the winter chill and plants bloom in a kaleidoscope of colour. We encourage visitors of all ages to spend some time at our gardens to experience the physical and mental benefits that come with time spent in nature.

“We don’t want to place any harsh restrictions on visitors and hope many thousands of people will see our gardens this year, but we do hope people take some of this guidance into consideration so we can continue to protect and share these beautiful spaces for years to come.”

Ian McLelland, National Trust for Scotland’s Regional Director for the South & West region, said: “With warmer days on the way, visitors are eager to return to our enchanting outdoor places to enjoy a kaleidoscope of colour and fragrance this springtime.

“There’s such variety to be found in the South and West of Scotland, from the tranquil woodland of Crarae Garden, just a couple of hours drive from Glasgow to the spring-blooms providing a backdrop to memorable days out at our castles in Ayrshire & Arran.

“We don’t want to place any harsh restrictions on visitors and hope many thousands of people will see our gardens this year, but we do hope people take some of this guidance into consideration so we can continue to protect and share these beautiful spaces for years to come.”

Biosecurity guidance for garden visitors supports the National Trust for Scotland’s vision to care for, share and protect Scotland’s nature, beauty and heritage for everyone to enjoy, as outlined in its 10-year strategy, launched in 2022. This activity supports conservation by speaking up when heritage and nature are threatened, while meeting engagement objectives to provide access and enjoyment for everyone.

Further information about property opening times and events can be found on the National Trust for Scotland website. Please note that opening times are subject to change. Keep an eye on the Trust’s property pages for the latest updates.

Image: Falkland Palace, Fife
Image Credit: Percy Cane

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

Silverburn to welcome Space NK this summer

Silverburn, Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, is set to welcome an exciting new beauty addition as Space NK prepares to open its doors.

Glasgow Jazz Festival to celebrate landmark 40th edition

Glasgow Jazz Festival will celebrate its remarkable 40th edition this summer with a specially curated programme of 40 performances celebrating the city's love affair with jazz music!

Glasgow panto duo team up to pay tribute to Glasgow comedy legends

Scottish Pantomime & variety stars Liam Dolan and Johnny Mac are back with Francie & Josie on the 17th of June for two massive shows at The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow!

Nico Simeone brings Lennox home to Glasgow after Manchester debut

Chef Nico Simeone is redefining his culinary identity with the launch of his most personal restaurant concept to date: Lennox.

Flight Club Glasgow giving away ultimate global trip and Social Darts for life

As the Social Darts bar nears a billion darts thrown, it's calling on Glasgow to join the journey to a billion and be in with a chance of winning the ultimate prize.

Doddie Aid 2026 smashes two million mark for MND research

Doddie Aid 2026 smashes £2 million mark for MND research as Kathy Weir hails 'incredible' support for husband's legacy.

Citizens Theatre announces its Autumn Season which will mark one year since the theatre reopened

The Citizens Theatre is thrilled to unveil a new season of shows set to take over the Main Theatre and Studio Theatre from August to December 2026.

Spring blossoms at The Mackintosh Tearooms: Exclusive event with the Seven Strings Tea Connoisseur Society

In celebration of National Tea Day, guests are invited to sample specially selected spring tea blends from around the world at what was once Catherine Cranston's tearoom on Sauchiehall Street.

Bah, Humbug... not this time! Auditions open for Glasgow children to join the legendary singer Marti Pellow on stage in Scrooge the Musical

Talented children from Glasgow and surrounding areas are being given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take to one of Scotland's biggest stages!

Aldi donates 11,341 meals to families in Glasgow over Easter

Aldi has donated 11,341 meals to those in need across Glasgow over the Easter period as part of their long-standing partnership with community-giving platform Neighbourly.

Scottish secondary schools can fundraise to feed hungry children

Secondary schools across Scotland can fundraise to feed an entire school of hungry children by signing up for a charity's life-changing Feed A School initiative.

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games unveils the uniform of legends

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games has today unveiled its official volunteer uniform to thousands of dedicated volunteers when the Games return to Glasgow from 23rd July to 2nd August.

Caring Scotland Project launches at National Library Scotland, Kelvin Hall

A major project, Caring Scotland, has been launched, documenting the lives of care experienced people in Scotland.

WestFest announces full programme for 2026 festival

Glasgow's biggest community-led cultural festival has announced its full programme for 2026!

STING named official boxing equipment provider for Glasgow 2026

STING, a global leader in manufacturing and supplying premium boxing kit and equipment, has been announced as an Official Provider Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

FREE Event: Discover super powered plants at Dobbies Little Seedlings Club

Dobbies' free-to-attend children's gardening workshop is here for the month of May, giving children the chance to discover the 'Power of Plants'.

Prehistoric village discovered in Glasgow by community volunteers and schoolchildren

A community archaeology project has uncovered the remains of a prehistoric settlement beside Crookston Castle, pushing the known history of the site back by thousands of years.

Freddie Fox and Julian Ovenden will star alongside Helen George when High Society comes to the Kings Theatre

An exciting line-up of stars from both stage and screen are set to join the cast of High Society led by Helen George as Tracy Lord when it comes to The King's Theatre Glasgow in September!

Great British Menu winner returns to Glasgow for exclusive event

Birds Fried Chicken heads to West Side Tavern this May Day bank holiday weekend for a one-day-only takeover!

Glasgow mum reveals how football fitness class boosted physical and mental health after giving birth

A Glasgow mum has shared how a football fitness programme from the SPFL Trust helped improve her physical and mental health after the birth of her baby.

Emirates Arena to become Glasgow International Arena

Emirates Arena is being renamed the Glasgow International Arena, with work now underway.

Snap up free tickets to The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Glasgow or Edinburgh

The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show, Scotland's only dedicated consumer exhibition for self-builders, home renovators and improvers, is back and we have free tickets up for grabs!

100 days to go to Glasgow 2026

With 100 days to go until Glasgow 2026 gets underway just 26,000 Athletics tickets remain, with tickets for the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Tollcross Swimming Pool almost sold out.

Harviestoun Brewery pop up returns with beer, bites & mischief on tap

Award-winning Scottish brewer Harviestoun, at the foot of the Ochils, is throwing open its brewery doors for a lively pop-up taproom event on Friday 24th April.

Legacy store Clintons unveils major upgrade at Silverburn

Silverburn, one of Scotland’s leading retail and leisure destinations has unveiled a major upgrade to one of its longest-standing stores, as Clintons opens its new concept store.

Glasgow invited to experience Gaelic culture until Royal National Mod return

With six months to go until the Royal National Mòd returns to Glasgow, local organisers have announced a string of events to get audiences in the festival spirit.

The Overtones to Star in New Song and Dance Spectacular Jukebox Idols

The Overtones will tour the UK this coming June alongside Louis Smith and Nadiya Bychkova in the brand new song and dance spectacular JUKEBOX IDOLS coming to the Pavilion Theatre Glasgow.

Zizza launches midweek deal

Zizzi is making midweek dining even more of a treat with a brand-new sharing deal of Two for £25, available for groups of two, four or six.

Spring clean shoes to protect heritage, urges National Trust for Scotland

With warmer days on the way, visitors to gardens at National Trust for Scotland places are being asked to follow biosecurity measures throughout the spring and summer seasons.

Fan favourites return to Vue venues in Scotland this spring

Vue is bringing a roster of much-loved film favourites back to the big screen this spring as part of a special anniversary season celebrating some of Hollywood’s most iconic titles.

Popular Listings

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro

Spring clean shoes to protect heritage, urges National Trust for Scotland

With warmer days on the way, visitors to gardens at National Trust for Scotland places are being asked to follow biosecurity measures throughout the spring and summer seasons.

Sponsored Links

Latest Glasgow News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings