The power of gifts in Wills

As we mark Remember a Charity Week (6–12 September), we are celebrating all that we love about our places, and reflecting on how the support of gifts in Wills has enabled so much of our work to happen.

We are a conservation charity that looks after many of the country’s most loved places and spaces. With almost 100 significant sites in our care, we rely on support to help us protect these places both now and for future generations. Our work is far-reaching: from preserving the rich history, heritage and culture of magnificent mansions and charming castles, to encouraging diverse flora and wildlife to flourish in our gardens, nature reserves, and mountains.

One way in which the National Trust for Scotland receives vital support is from the generosity of those who leave a gift in their Will. This support enables us to continue our conservation work across Scotland, helping us to fund specific projects and allowing us to plan for the future.

Here we find out a little more from some of our supporters, about why they have decided to include a gift to the Trust in their Wills, and leave a legacy to Scotland.

Gordon and Elaine

‘We became Trust Life Members of the Trust back in 1976, after some persuasion by Elaine’s parents, who were also Life Members. Looking back, I’m not sure how we quite had the funds so young, but it was certainly a brilliant decision which we’ve benefited from for almost 50 years now.

There are so many Trust properties and places that we have a lifetime’s worth of connections to. I have fond memories of visiting Inverewe Garden on a coach trip with my mum back in the 1950s. It’s also a place Elaine and I have enjoyed exploring and admiring for many years together.

We decided to support the Trust with a gift in our Will some time ago now. We wanted to give something back, almost as a “thanks” for the good times and memories – and it’s important to us to protect the buildings, estates, landscapes and wild areas of Scotland and maintain them for future generations.’

Peter and Paula

‘We’ve spent so many years exploring Scotland’s beautiful landscapes. Glencoe, Torridon, Kintail, Ben Lawers, St Kilda – they’re all unique and all wonderful. What we love about the Trust is the freedom it provides to explore and the accessibility of the landscapes and sites.

We’ve so many happy memories at NTS sites: climbing Munros, mountains, hills, and walking through glens and across moors. Our first Munro climb was early on in our married life, and we recently celebrated Peter’s 60th with a climb up Tom na Gruagaich on Beinn Alligin.

When it came to writing our Wills, we decided to include a gift to the Trust as thanks for the years of pleasure we’ve had from the land. It was as simple as that. We hope that our future gift helps the Trust to continue protecting these places for others to have the freedom to explore and enjoy, as we’ve been able to.’

Elaine

‘Throughout my childhood, my family and I went on such wonderful trips around Scotland. In fact, we enjoyed exploring Scotland’s countryside and coast so much, we never felt we needed to go anywhere else. My parents were busy people who were always helping others, so the quality time we spent together amongst the Scottish scenery was particularly precious to me. I’ve cherished these happy memories even more in the years since my parents passed away.

As a young adult, I became a Life Member of the Trust and have spent a lifetime exploring, enjoying and experiencing all that the Trust has to offer. I especially love the North West Highlands – you just can’t beat looking up at the iconic scenery and landscapes. They’re just stunning.

When it came to writing my Will, I considered what had made an impact on me during my lifetime and what I cared about most – and I decided to leave a gift to the Trust. I love Scotland and want these magnificent places to remain protected and cared for. My hope is that my gift will allow future generations to make their own happy memories there, just as I have had the privilege of doing.’

Thank you

From all of us here at the Trust, we’d like to say thank you to those who have had the generous foresight to remember the Trust with a gift in their Will. Every gift left to the Trust helps to ensure that future generations can experience, enjoy and create precious memories at our special places across Scotland, just as we are able to today.

For more information on leaving us a gift in your Will visit nts.org.uk/gifts-in-wills or contact legacy@nts.org.uk