NTS set to reopen dozens of outdoor sites for the first time since March

Dozens of gardens and estates operated by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) will open to the public today for the first time since lockdown.

The charity has announced outdoor sites across Scotland will be available to welcome visitors as part of measures announced by the Scottish Government.

Of these, two will only open with timed entry to manage numbers and maintain safe physical distancing – Culzean Country Park in Ayrshire and Threave Garden in Dumfries and Galloway.

More than 1,000 slots have already been pre-booked in the first few days of Culzean tickets being made available online.

It comes after the charity said some indoor facilities may not reopen until the 2022-23 season including Bannockburn Visitor Centre, Hill of Tarvit, House of the Binns, Kippen

Smiddy, Leith Hall, Holmwood and Souter Johnnie’s Cottage.

The charity has also warned residents within the local lockdown in parts of Dumfries and Galloway “not to travel to its properties if it entails a journey beyond the five-mile limit”.

Some sites will have takeaway food and drink on offer but visitors are reminded to take litter home with them and toilet facilities will also be in place – though not at all properties.

Phil Long, the charity’s new chief executive, said: “It’s wonderful news that we’re able to start welcoming visitors back to so many of our properties around the country.

“Our team have been doing a phenomenal job and I’ve been seeing for myself the incredible work that has been done to get ready for visitors once again.

“Sadly, we can’t yet bring people inside the castles, houses and visitor centres just yet. It’s an exceptionally challenging time for the Trust. We should be in the midst of our busiest period, with visitors from home and abroad returning to and discovering... the magical places that we look after and finding out about the exceptional work done to conserve them.

“By opening now, our charity can start to make up for some of the income we’ve lost this year, though this will not be enough to cover the charitable funds we’ve missed out on during the lockdown.

“Please, come, and see and enjoy these properties again and if you can... donate to the Trust to help make sure these places can be cared for and visited for generations to come.”

Sites reopening today include Barry Mill (grounds) and House of Dun (garden and grounds) in Angus and Perthshire’s Branklyn Garden.

Fife’s Culross Palace (garden, Thursday-Monday), Falkland Palace (garden) and Kellie Castle (garden and grounds, Thursday-Monday) will also reopen.