Utilising Scotland’s Heritage to Create Unforgettable Experiences with The National Trust for Scotland.

As the country’s largest membership organisation, The National Trust for Scotland protects, restores, and brings to life Scotland’s most treasured landmarks, and at Limitless DMC, we work closely with The National Trust for Scotland team at many of these historic locations to create unique, bespoke events which to showcase the magic and history that each has to offer.

We sat down with Raeanne Verlegh, Travel Trade and Venue Hire Business Development Manager at the National Trust for Scotland, to hear about The National Trust for Scotland’s work in creating bespoke experiences, the most unique destinations, and maintaining the heritage of its amazing sites.

Can you tell us about your role at the National Trust for Scotland and what it involves?

“Absolutely. I work in the commercial side of the trust. Our remit is to drive income, support charitable aims and help preserve the natural heritage of our sites. We look after over 100 sites across the length and breadth of the country, with any money we make going back into our work. My role in business development is to work with DMCs and intermediaries, such as Limitless DMC, to promote our properties.”

How valuable is the partnership between The National Trust for Scotland and companies like Limitless DMC in helping visitors discover Scotland’s historic sites?

“These partnerships are incredibly valuable for everyone involved. A lot of the clients that DMCs are working with are from overseas, and therefore, we can’t assume that these people are going to have deep knowledge of Scottish history. We don’t want to bombard visitors with lots of facts and figures, but instead, we want to make the experience relevant to our guests, creating unforgettable experiences. We like to set the scene, tell a story, and take people back through Scotland’s vibrant history.”

What do you love most about sharing Scotland’s breathtaking landscapes and cultural treasures with others?

“The unique history of each site is incredible. From Drum Castle’s original charter that King Robert the Bruce signed over to the Irvine clan over 700 years ago, to Burn’s cottage where Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns was born, we have the chance to showcase this rich heritage whilst creating bespoke experiences such as beer tasting in Burn’s Cottage. No matter if you know the history or not, everyone can appreciate sitting in a centuries-old building, hearing fascinating stories and enjoying a drink.”

If you had to choose some must-visit National Trust for Scotland sites, which ones would you recommend and why?

“I will give you one for each of the four regions!

“In the northeast, it would have to be Fyvie Castle. Alexander Forbes-Leith, who owned the castle, made his money in American steel and married an American heiress before turning Fyvie Castle into an opulent party pad. The collection at Fyvie Castle is unbelievable, with the American garden and the gallery creating an incredible experience all around. From the one-of-a-kind Tiffany lamp to the space to host 110 for dinner, it is absolutely stunning. Not to forget the largest collection of Scottish fruit that the gardener, Gordon, is always keen to talk about.

“Coming down to Edinburgh and the east, it is difficult to pick, but I love Gladstone’s Land on the Royal Mile. Dating from as far back as 1501, it opened again in 2021 after a period of refurbishment, Gladstone’s Land is set up with each floor representing a different century. The number of guests that we have managed to welcome through the door at once is impressive, creating unique experiences such as the history of tea, paying homage to the site’s roots as a merchant house, to boundary-pushing experiences such as ‘Intimate Lives – a History of Sex and Desire in Edinburgh. You won’t find the historic ‘Ranger’s Guide to the Ladies of Pleasure of Edinburgh’ anywhere else. To this day, nobody knows who wrote it, which I find so intriguing!

“In terms of the Highlands and Islands, it is a massive region, and I have tried to get around it as much as possible, with the most interesting site to me personally being Brodie Castle, dating from the 16^th century. With the castle being within the Brodie family for hundreds of years and different parts of the castle being added at different times, it is wonderful to be able to see the way the castle has changed throughout the centuries. The story of Ian Brodie is fascinating. He fought in the World War and came back with what we now know as PTSD. To try and overcome this, he immersed himself in the healing power of nature, went daft for daffodils and learned how to crossbreed and strain them. Now, there are over 400 different strains of daffodils at Brodie Castle! It’s that human element that makes what we do so special.

“From the South and West, it would have to be Burn’s Cottage as already mentioned. Not only was it once the home of one of Scotland’s greatest exports, Rabbie Burns, but it has developed so much since. When it was a pub, called the Burn’s Head Inn, it created a lot of tourism in Alloway, and although it’s been reverted to its cottage state, we have actually left graffiti from the patrons of the pub. For centuries, as much as it has changed, human elements have remained and we love to encompass the cottage’s full history into our experiences.”

It’s these stories and quirks that bring these amazing locations to life, making for totally unique experiences.

Can you tell us a little about the special visits/experiences you can offer and any CSR activities?

“Whatever our sites are being booked for, whether it is dinners, lunches or team building activities, the money goes back into the sites, and there is always the chance for our retail team to come up with gifts that can generate more income for these sites. We also offer opportunities for people to get hands-on and help with the upkeep of our sites so that once their visit to Scotland is said and done, they can feel like they have contributed to the upkeep of the country’s heritage.”