Making a major gift

Only with significant support can we achieve our vision of nature, beauty and heritage for everyone.

We rely on the generosity of our donors to deliver our ambitious programme of work, enabling us to care for Scotland’s exceptional natural, cultural and historic places.

Since 1931, we’ve pioneered public access to some of the most magnificent building, collections and landscapes in Scotland. Together, these places and objects tell the stories of Scotland and the Scots.

We are Scotland’s largest conservation charity, and independent of government. It is only with generous support from donors that we can continue our work and achieve our ambitions for the future – enabling us to keep sharing these stories with everyone. Email philanthropy@nts.org.uk to find out more.

A view looking along the length of a grand drawing room to the large bay windows at the far end. The walls are wood panelled with blue and gold decoration. A large blue rug covers the floor. A leather sofa with carved wooden legs stands just inside the bay.

Your invitation to get closer to our work

We offer a number of ways in which you can be more closely involved in the Trust’s work. You can support ambitious projects by joining one of our two giving circles, becoming a member of our Patrons’ Club or Founders’ Circle.

We will keep you closely informed on the impact of your support, and invite you to take part in carefully curated visits and events, bringing you closer to the work you’ve helped enable.

As well as flexibility of support, we wish to make giving convenient for you. We are pleased to facilitate Gifts of Shares – donations made through a private fund or charitable trust. Please contact us to discuss what aspect of the Trust you might like to support, and how to make your contribution. Email patronsclub@nts.org.uk

Help us to accelerate our ambitions

We’d also be pleased to discuss other ways to contribute to areas of work that are most important to you, for example, by funding a specific project you feel passionate about, or a favourite property. This type of support has made a transformative difference to our work in a number of places.

You can choose to support a specific role and activity. The role of the National Trust for Scotland’s Senior Seabird Officer and activity is supported by Tim and Kim Allan. Tim says:

‘We believe that when you choose to provide philanthropic input, it should be fundamentally strategic. And that the project you’re supporting really is enabled. We are lucky to be in a position where we can fully fund a project so that a real difference can be achieved.’

A woman wearing a red helmet and red floatation jacket stands on a rocky ledge beside a sea inlet. Large rock stacks stand just off shore behind her.

Ellie Owen, Senior Seabird Officer at the National Trust for Scotland

We received international support with a gift of shares from an anonymous donor for Craigievar Castle’s recent restoration work.

‘My reason for supporting Craigievar is that, should I be able to get back to Scotland which I cannot right now for various reasons, I would like to visit once again this beautiful castle and know that I helped to restore her for the future. Something I can do for my country and leave a kind of legacy after I am gone.’

Pink castle next to a tree, surrounded by heras fencing and scaffolding to the right

The newly restored pink walls of Craigievar Castle

The future of our montane willow restoration programme at Mar Lodge Estate was secured for three years, thanks to a Challenge Gift from the Carman Family Foundation. This acted as a catalyst for further donations, safeguarding this activity in one of the most important areas for nature conservation in the UK.

‘Threatened habitats are clearly worth supporting. We are great believers in matched funding. Firstly, because it "breaks the ice" if one offers the first tranche of money, and secondly because funders enjoy the idea that their money will be doubled. Matched funding also means that there is evidence that the project is liked by more than just you! We are really pleased with the outcome of this round and wish to thank the other funders for stepping up to help with this important project.’

A mountainous habitat with rocky slopes in the background.

An area on Mar Lodge Estate being planted with montane willow

Please email philanthropy@nts.org.uk to find out more.