10 Superb National Trust For Scotland Sites To Visit

Philip
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 6 min read
Great National Trust for Scotland sites to visit

Be it stunningly beautiful landscapes or historically significant sites, the National Trust for Scotland boasts a host of locations that just beg to be explored. The charity, has been working tirelessly to protect noted locations across Scotland for future generations.

Planning a vacation soon? Check out some hotels with entertainment in Scotland for your accommodation needs. And, whether it’s the spectacular St. Kilda archipelago or the moving surrounds of the battlefields of Culloden or Bannockburn, there is a superb selection of destinations from which to choose.

Why Trust Trip101?


Over 50,000 articles reviewed and published by our experienced team

Over 50 years of combined experience researching, writing and reviewing travel articles

Over 40,000 hours spent on research and fact-checking from credible sources (last year’s data)

Optimizing content from data-driven insights collected directly from users on our platform

Focus on authentic and up-to-date information by collaborating with local guides, global travelers and other industry experts

Long-standing partnerships with credible brands like Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, GetYourGuide, Viator, RVShare and more

Full disclosure on any partnerships or sponsored content

Trip101’s team of writers, editors, and content managers oversees the publication of all travel content, including destination guides, accommodation recommendations, and travel tips. They have extensive experience in the travel industry and no content, written or visual, gets published without a review. Many of our team’s work has also been featured in Travel+Leisure, National Today, The Indian Express, The Telegraph (India), Robb Report, The Adventure Handbook, Tripoto, Korea Tourism Organization, and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Some of them are also members of professional organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance.

Each member of the team follows Trip101's methodology and strict editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and relevance.

1. Culloden Battlefield

Leanach Cottage , Culloden Moor
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Paulo62 used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

This is the site of the last battle fought on British soil in 1746. The Battle of Culloden culminated in the final defeat of the Jacobite forces under Charles Edward Stuart – or Bonnie Prince Charlie. The ‘Young Pretender’ had strong support in the north of England and Scotland in his bid for the British monarchy after his grandfather had been usurped from the Crown in the 'Glorious Revolution’ of 1688. But decades of abortive attempts to reclaim the throne – by first his father, the 'Old Pretender’, and then later himself – were finally crushed by government forces at this battlefield on the outskirts of Inverness.

Today, a major visitor centre lets tourists explore the cause and course of the rebellions, while a number of paths wind their way around the site, past a large memorial cairn and the markers of mass graves in which members of various clans were buried following the bloody fighting.

Culloden Battlefield

Address: Culloden Battlefield, Culloden Moor, Inverness, IV2 5EU

Price: Battlefield access is free. Visitor Centre and exhibition: Adult 11 GBP (14.52 USD); Concession: 8.50 GBP (11.22 USD); Family 26 GBP (34.33 USD)

Contact: +44 1463 796090 or culloden@nts.org.uk

Website: Culloden Battlefield

Visited this place?

2. Bannockburn


Another of Scotland’s most famous battle sites, Bannockburn near Stirling is the location where the forces of Robert the Bruce famously won Scotland’s independence from England in 1314. That moment is marked by this National Trust for Scotland (NTS) site, which includes a large statue of Scotland’s famous king as well as an award-winning visitor centre.

The building includes dramatic 3D recreations of the battle scenes, as well as exploring the long build up to this pivotal moment in the history of the British Isles – and the years which followed. The site’s key role in Scotland’s history makes it extremely popular and the NTS recommends that people book in advance if they are looking to drop by during the busy summer season.

Bannockburn

Address: Bannockburn, Glasgow Road, Whins of Milton, Stirling, FK7 0LJ

Price: Adult: 11.50 GBP (15.18 USD); Child 8.50 (11.22 USD); Concession 8.50 (11.22 USD); Family 30.50 (40.27 USD)

Contact: +44 1786 812664 or bannockburn2014@nts.org.uk

Website: Bannockburn

Visited this place?

3. Falkland Palace

Falkland Palace 09
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Brian Forbes used under CC BY 2.0

Falkland Palace and its gardens were created by the Scottish kings of James the IV and V in the early half of the 16th century so that they could indulge in their love of hunting and falconry. This strong royal connection made it a favoured spot of several Scottish monarchs including Mary Queen of Scots. Although part of this fine Renaissance site is now a shell, a large portion of the building is still completely intact and is fully decked out in plush Renaissance era furniture and tapestries, giving visitors a glimpse into this famous period in history.

Fans of tennis will enjoy looking at the sport’s early origins in the form of the palace’s ‘real’ or 'royal’ tennis court – the oldest of its type anywhere in the UK.

Falkland Palace

Address: Falkland Palace, Falkland, Fife, KY15 7BY

Price: Palace and garden: Adult 12.50 GBP (16.50 USD); Concessions 9 GBP (11.88 USD); Family 29.50 GBP (38.95 USD). Gardens only: Adult 6.50 GBP (8.58 USD), Concession 5 GBP (6.60 USD)

Contact: +44 1337 857397 or falklandpalace&garden@nts.org.uk

Website: Falkland Palace

Visited this place?

4. Robert Burns Birthplace Museum

great national trust for scotland sites to visit | robert burns birthplace museum
Source: instagram

Scotland’s bard Robert – or Rabbie – Burns, is world-famous today for his poetry and other writings, which continue to win fans across the globe. Even those unfamiliar with the works of this 18th century Ayrshire man will likely have encountered at least one of his most famous pieces – for Auld Lang Syne, which is beloved of New Year’s Eve parties around the world, is one of his.

The NTS owns and maintains the humble thatched cottage in Alloway in which Burns was born. It also maintains a museum exhibition that contains a huge collection of pieces relevant to the man’s life and legacy including an original handwritten manuscript of his famous work Tam o’ Shanter.

Robert Burns Birthplace Museum

Address: Murdoch’s Lone, Alloway, Ayr, KA7 4PQ

Price: Adult 9 GBP (11.88 USD); Concession 7 GBP (9.24 USD); Family 22 GBP (29.05 USD)

Opening Hours: Daily 10 am to 5 pm (closed between 25th December and 3rd January, inclusive)

Contact: +44 1292 443700

Website: Robert Burns Birthplace Museum

Visited this place?

5. Culzean Castle

Culzean Castle house and gardens 02
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jamesx12345 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The spectacular Georgian edifice of Culzean Castle attracts countless visitors every year. Built in the later decades of the 18th century the building’s luxurious stylings, stunning interiors and extensive grounds have made it one of the country’s most iconic castles. So much so, in fact, that its image appeared on the back of Royal Bank of Scotland bank notes until as recently as late last year.

The huge castle, which stands perched atop cliffs on the Ayrshire coastline, is set among more than 260 hectares (642.5 acres) of garden grounds which are home to a wide array of wildlife, including a large deer park, meaning visitors will find much to enjoy and explore during their stay.

Culzean Castle

Address: Culzean Castle and Country Park, Maybole, South Ayrshire, KA19 8LE

Price: Castle and Country Park: Adults 15.50 GBP (20.46 USD); Concession 11.50 GBP (15.18 USD); Family 38 GBP (50.17 USD). Country Park only: Adult 10.50 GBP (13.86 USD); Concession 7.50 GBP (9.90 USD); Family 24.50 GBP (32.35).

Opening Hours: Castle: Daily 10.30 am to 5 pm (1st April to 31st October) Last admission is at 4 pm. Country Park: All year.

Contact: +44 1655 884455 or culzean@nts.org.uk

Website: Culvean Castle

Visited this place?

6. Pollok House


This is where the National Trust for Scotland all began. Pollok House was the venue where talks about forming the charity were first held in 1931. From that seed sprung the entire organisation, which today looks after more than 80,000 hectares (197,684.31 acres) of Scottish countryside, some 10,000 archaeological sites, and around 10,000 miles (16,093.44 km) of coastline. But there is much more to Pollok House than simply being at the genesis of all this work. The picturesque 18th century Georgian mansion is also one of the trust’s grandest properties and houses an extensive art collection.

Pollok House

Address: Pollok House, Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, G43 1AT

Price: Adult 6.50 GBP (8.58 USD); Concession 5 GBP (6.60 USD); Family 16.50 GBP (21.78 USD)

Opening Hours: Daily, 10 am to 5 pm.

Contact: +44 141 616 6410 or pollokhouse@nts.org.uk

Website: Pollok House

Visited this place?

7. Aberdeenshire's castles and manor houses

Fyvie Castle
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ikiwaner used under CC BY-SA 3.0

If it’s castles you’re after, then Aberdeenshire is the place to be. Although you’ll find stunning manors and historic castles dotted all across Scotland, this north-eastern county is especially blessed – boasting numerous fine examples. These include the classic pink tower of Craigevar Castle near Alford, the large tower house of Castle Fraser near Inverurie and the impressive white flanks of Drum Castle at Banchory, parts of which date back some 700 years. The area around Banchory is also home to another castle with glorious gardens in the form of Crathes Castle. And the county’s list of stunning historic buildings continues in the form of the 18th century Haddo House near Ellon and the spectacular edifice of Fyvie Castle (pictured) near Turriff. The latter’s mix of history, impressive artwork, and ghostly tales captivates visitors year after year.

Fyvie Castle

Address: Fyvie Castle, Fyvie, Aberdeenshire, AB53 8JS

Price: Adult 12.50 GBP (16.50 USD); Concession 9 GBP (11.88 USD); Family 29.50 GBP (38.95 USD).

Opening Hours: Castle: Varies - check website for details. Gardens: Daily, 9 am to sunset (all year)

Contact: +44 1651 891266 or fyvie@nts.org.uk

Website: Fyvie Castle

Visited this place?

8. Glenfinnan Monument

Bonnie Prince Charlie - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Dg-505 used under CC BY 3.0

Like Culloden, Glenfinnan is another site indelibly linked to the Jacobite rebellion of 1745. Located on the shores of Loch Shiel, this is the spot where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard to signal the start of the campaign. That moment is commemorated in the form of an impressive 59 foot (18 m) tall column which features a single Highland warrior on top and was designed by James Gillespie Graham.

A number of walks also wind their way onto the slopes around about, offering spectacular views of the monument and across the loch. During your visit, you’ll also not fail to spot the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct. This world-famous railway bridge has featured in numerous films – including the Harry Potter franchise.

Glenfinnan Monument

Address: Glenfinnan Monument Visitor Centre, Glenfinnan, PH37 4LT

Opening Hours: Site: All year. Visitor Centre: 10 am to 5 pm (from 1st April to 31st October. Opens at 9.30 am in July and August).

Contact: +44 1397 722250 or glenfinnan@nts.org.uk

Website: Glenfinnan Monument

Visited this place?

9. Glencoe


Although it is perhaps best known for the historic buildings and sites in its care, the trust also owns land in some of Scotland’s most beautiful natural landscapes, safeguarding them for future generations. Included in this impressive list is Glencoe, which is among Scotland’s most famous locations thanks to the stunning mountains which dominate its landscape and are a jaw-dropping delight to behold in the ever-changing light.

As well as its beauty, Glencoe also harbours a melancholic past as the site of the infamous Glencoe Massacre of 1692. This is where 38 members of the MacDonald clan were murdered while they slept by group of soldiers, many of whom were members of the rival Campbell clan.

Glencoe Visitor Centre

Address: Glencoe Visitor Centre, Glencoe, Argyll , PH49 4HX

Price: Adult 6.50 GBP (8.58 USD); Concession 5 GBP (6.60 USD); Family 16.50 GBP (21.78 USD)

Opening Hours: Daily, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm (30th March to 31st October); Thursday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm at other times (closed 18th December to 4th January inclusive)

Contact: +44 1855 811307 or glencoe@nts.org.uk

Website: Glencoe Visitor Centre

Visited this place?

10. Scottish islands


And it isn’t just natural landscapes that the trust owns and safeguards – it also has entire islands in its care. These include the double world heritage site of St. Kilda in the extreme north-west, the famous monastic site of Iona off Mull’s west coast, the majestic basalt columns of Staffa, and a trio of islands at the tip of the Outer Hebrides – Mingulay, Berneray, and Pabbay – which are famed for their beautiful coastlines. Others include Fair Isle, a remote and isolated island halfway between Orkney and Shetland, and the isle of Canna in the Small Isles. Some of these are easier to reach than others but all are worthy of consideration during a visit to Scotland.

Canna

Address: Isle of Canna, The Inner Hebrides, PH44 4RS

Website: Canna

Visited this place?

Two million visitors can't be wrong

More than two million people visit the trust’s many properties each and every year, and with such a rich variety of sites to choose from it’s not hard to see why these spectacular locations bring people flocking time and time again. Will you be among them?

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Philip, a writer and photographer situated in the heart of the picturesque Scottish Highlands, is a seasoned professional journalist with a rich portfolio of contributions to various newspapers,...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Register Here
0 Comments
Explore Scotland
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.
Great Wildlife Spots in Scotland

Encounter Scotland's Iconic Wildlife At These Top 10 Spots