National Trust for Scotland

National Trust for Scotland

A Place for Everyone

The National Trust for Scotland is the heritage organisation which looks after hundreds of buildings, gardens and places which are vital to an understanding of Scottish history, heritage and culture.

Learning Services for Schools

The Learning Services Department supports learners of all ages and can provide workshops, guided tours, talks and practical sessions, including a wide variety of resources.

We do this in many ways but especially through:

  • events for adults and children
  • interpretive displays for all visitors
  • curriculum-based programmes for schools

Our Teams

Two Learning Managers, based at area offices, have responsibility across the Trust for Learning Events and Resources. At certain sites, Learning Managers and Officers devise in-depth programmes for lifelong learning, including active learning for schools.

The Interpretation Team, based at the Trust’s central office, create permanent displays and a wide range of interpretive material for all Trust places.

The NTS Ranger/Naturalists deliver learning in the Trust’s country parks and countryside places while protecting important areas of natural heritage.

Additional Assistance

Find out how you could claim 75% of your transport costs up to a maximum of £250 - Travel Subsidy >
Become a member of the National Trust for Scotland and save money - Schools membership >

What We Do

Buildings

The National Trust for Scotland's portfolio of 129 properties includes some of the finest elements of Scotland's architectural heritage. These are just some of the buildings in our care:

  • Great castles and country houses such as Craigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire and Newhailes in East Lothian
  • Vernacular structures such as Beaton's Croft House, Bornesketaig on Skye
  • Properties associated with famous Scots such as the Bachelor's Club where Robert Burns and his friends hotly debated topics of the day, and Hugh Miller's birthplace

Archeology

The Archaeology Team is led by the Trust's Head of Archaeology, and consists of two Area Archaeologists and the St Kilda Archaeologist, as well as Project Archaeologists from time to time. As one of Scotland's largest landowners the Trust cares for over 10,000 archaeological sites and features (over 100 are Scheduled Ancient Monuments). Many of the 1.500 roofed structures owned by the Trust, of which 270 are listed, also contain elements of archaeology. While this resource varies from property to property it also varies greatly in date, from the Mesolithic through to the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

Countryside

From Unst to St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve and from the islands of St Kilda and Iona to the mountains ofGlencoe and Mar Lodge Estate, we look after some of Scotland's finest landscapes and wildlife.

Today we own 78,000 ha, including core landholdings at the heart of both of Scotland's National Parks, seven National Nature Reserves, 27 sites designated as of European importance for nature conservation and 46 sites of national importance. We care for over 400 Islands and over 400 miles of footpath - a truly awesome responsibility, and one that we approach with increasing levels of professionalism.

Find out more about how to plan your school's visit here.

There are Teachers' Information Sheets for most Trust places. 

Safety First for Outdoor Visits offers advice when taking pupils to countryside areas.

Address: 
Hermiston Quay
5 Cultins Road
Edinburgh
EH11 4DF
United Kingdom
Contact Number: 
Contact Email: 

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Latest News

British schoolgirl assaulted on school trip to Iceland

hotel corridor

A viral video shows a black girl being assaulted by a white woman in a corridor.

Police in Iceland are investigating after a British schoolgirl was slapped and chased by a tour guide in a hotel corridor.

The schoolgirl, 13, who attended Harris Girls’ Academy, was assaulted whilst on a school trip to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. The incident occurred at Hotel Örk, Hveragerdi on 13th October.