Pollok House

The National Trust for Scotland is the independent charity that protects and shares some of our country’s most precious historic places and natural landscapes on behalf of the people of Scotland.

With over 360,000 members we are the largest membership organisation in Scotland.

Since 1931, we have pioneered public access to and shared ownership of some of the most magnificent buildings, collections and habitats in Scotland.  We care for ancient houses, battlefields, castles, mills, gardens, coastlines, islands, mountain ranges and all the communities, plants and animals which depend upon them.

Culzean Castle, the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Glencoe National Nature Reserve, St Kilda, Mar Lodge National Nature Reserve, Culloden, Bannockburn and Ben Lomond are among the jewels that are familiar to anyone who has ever lived in or visited Scotland.  These places mean so much to so many people.  From the simple fun and happiness of taking the kids around a beautiful country park, the exhilaration of being alone with only the sounds of the sea and the birds, the quiet contemplation of great historical events to experiencing simple insights into the daily routines of lives once lived.

Together, the places and objects in our care tell the stories of Scotland and the Scots; how our people travelled and interacted with the wider world, taking with them their energy and values and returning with new ideas and treasures.  Without our involvement many of these places and things would have been lost forever to the damage caused by time, tide, climate, voracious pests and developers.

The words ‘conservation charity’ simply cannot do justice to the range of skills and experiences that our volunteers and staff bring to bear each day.  Our 88 visited properties, hundreds of thousands of artefacts, acres of countryside and gardens are brought to vivid life by armies of volunteers and staff doing everything from guiding visitors to thatching cottages and building footpaths.