Home > Castles of Aberdeenshire and Scotland > National Trust Aberdeen
Guide to the National Trust for Scotland in Aberdeen and the NTS properties in Aberdeenshire with an offer for free membership and gift
Join and get entry to properties owned by The National Trust for Scotland.
www.nts.org.uk
Follow us on: Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Contact Me.
My new novel:
The Aberdeen skies are under attack from an enemy jet. It is spilling a strange yellow smoke. Minutes later, people start killing each other.
Former Royal Air Force Regiment Gunner Jason Harper witnesses this and then his wife, Pippa, telephones him, shouting that she needs him. They then get cut off. He sets straight out, unprepared for the nightmare that unfolds during his journey. Everyone seems to want to kill him.
Along the way, he pairs up with fellow survivor Imogen. But she enjoys killing the living dead far too much. Will she kill Jason in her blood thirst? Or will she hinder his journey through this zombie filled dystopian landscape to find his pregnant wife?
The Fence is the first in this series of post-apocalyptic military survival thrillers from the torturous mind of local horror and science fiction novel writer C.G. Buswell.
Download Now.
Buy the Paperback.
The National Trust Aberdeen have many properties throughout Aberdeenshire and have an active series of events throughout the year. These include events for children and events for children. For example some hold concerts throughout the summer and at Halloween the kids and grown ups can take part in parties at most throughout the Shire. Some grounds host assorted events ranging from bat walks, jousting tournaments, highland games and even an annual steam and vintage fair.
Those in our area include:
Castle Fraser
Craigievar Castle
Crathes Castle
Drum Castle
Fyvie Castle
Haddo House
Leith Hall
Mar Lodge Estate
Pitmedden Garden
There are links to each of these on the AboutAberdeen Scottish castles page which takes you to each AboutAberdeen review with photographs.
As a member you get an NTS Scotland sticker for your car that entitles the holder to free car parking. This is particularly useful for Crathes which many members use to enjoy the park, woodland walk and picnic area or restaurant on a fine day.
They have guides in most rooms whilst others have timed guided tours by knowledgeable staff. In the experience of the AboutAberdeen team the staff are very helpful and are pleased to answer and questions. They have been a great help in compiling our ghost story collection at the Ghosts And Ghost Stories Of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Scotland page.
They are old historic buildings and wherever possible there is disabled access. Some like Drum do involve climbing stairs to reach certain rooms, Great Halls and even the roof. Others have disabled access to many rooms though and our reviews or the NT handbook will give disabled visitors more information.
The gardens are mostly accessible for disabled visitors and this is certainly the case for the splendid Pitmedden and their delicious tearoom. There is also the option to buy plants and flowers from their team of gardeners. Plant sales often include seasonal bulbs and specialist plants.
Most allow you to take photos from outside the attraction but ask visitors not to take pictures inside their attractions. However many guide books have many professionally taken photographs with the history of each attraction. To preserve the paintings and furniture visitors are asked not to touch exhibits or sit on the antiques such as the four poster beds.
Dogs are not permitted within them but many locations have dog walking areas. Haddo House even has a small assault course for exercising dogs!
Each new member will be given a guide book. This is packed full of information for making the most of your membership. This includes facilities at each NT property such as toilets, parking, disabled access, shops, restaurants, directions, facilities for visually impaired visitors and mobility impaired visitors and any holiday accommodation.
Have you seen my beautiful golden retriever Lynne out and about in Aberdeen? Ask her for a high-five! She's a Bravehound PTSD assistance dog, so we'll often be in shops, restaurants, and the cinema together.
We've written a book where I talk about growing up in Aberdeen and then joining the army to be a medic and nurse, and developing military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I also talk about losing my son to suicide and the therapy I have had at Royal Cornhill Hospital and grief support groups in Aberdeen.
The author, Damien Lewis, said of Lynne:
"A powerful account of what one dog means to one man on his road to recovery. Both heart-warming and life-affirming. Bravo Chris and Lynne. Bravo Bravehound."
Download.
Buy the paperback.
An army veteran moves his family back to his Aberdeenshire home, but his nightmare neighbour starts a battle of wits with him. Who will win this One Last War?
Buy this latest novel by local author C.G. Buswell on Kindle or Paperback.
Advertise Here from just £70.
Most have a cafe or restaurant that serves hot meals, snacks, cakes and drinks. For example some sell home made cakes and sandwiches and hot soup whilst others sell a wide selection of cooked meals and desserts.
Located next to the restaurants are shops that sell a wide variety of souvenirs and keep sakes, postcards, books, stationery, cuddly toys, games, soft furnishings and gifts.
It is possible to pay a one of admission charge but if you are on holiday it is worth buying a membership which gives you admission to those throughout the UK. This usually works out cheaper if you are to visit over three. You also get a gift and several months membership extra. Joining is easily done online and is often cheaper.
Membership to the National trust can be done individually, as a couple or as a family. There are offers for retired people and gift membership is available and is an ideal present for Christmas or a birthday. This includes a personal gift card and welcome pack.
Another alternative is to buy a discovery ticket which gives the holder unlimited access to NTS properties for a set period of three days, one week or a fortnight.
The National Trust for Scotland Aberdeen work closely with schools and pupils throughout Aberdeenshire often go for an educational visit or school project.
They are often used for parties and weddings and a most common wedding venue is the picturesque Fyvie or the fairytale looking Craigievar.
Some are available for hire for social or corporate events. In addition a member can rent out a holiday cottage at a range of Scottish properties that also include lighthouse keepers cottages, crofts, apartments and many historic buildings. These holiday accommodation are for self catering though towels, sheets, etc are provided. Open fires are stocked up in the winter. Period furniture is kept in the historic homes for visitors to enjoy and modern furniture such as cots and child safety gates are provided so that you can relax and enjoy your holiday.
Such holiday accommodation ranges from sleeping 2 to 30 people. It is advised to book as early as possible because they can get fully booked, especially at peak times such as the school holidays, summer and at Christmas or the New Year.
They have a cruise ship called the Black Prince which has been used as an NTS holiday cruise ship since 1953. It has a crew strength of 200 staff and can accommodate up to 400 people. Most Black Prince cruises have a theme and onboard entertainment such as Aberdonians from the Scotland the What? team and the Orkney celebrity from Big Brother on channel 4 TV and panto star Cameron Stout.
Typically the Black Prince cruises sail twice a year with one week long cruise around the Scottish Isles whilst a two week cruise goes abroad to various countries and destinations such as Oporto, Greenland, Reykjavik and St Petersburg. The Black Prince cruises depart and arrive at Scottish ports. The cruises often have themes and special interests and have a series of lectures from leading experts.
As part of the membership you will be notified of each event in your area and events nationwide. These include banquets, re-enactments, craft fairs, ghost walks, ghost hunting, steam fair, behind the scenes tours, open air theatre shows, concerts, live music, traditional Scottish entertainment, murder mystery events and special dinners.
Do consider becoming a volunteer to help support them. Activities and jobs include working as a guide for the NT, working in the shops or restaurants, administrative work, recruiting and event organisation.
There are also weekend and day projects that volunteers can get involved in such as working outdoors creating paths and woodland walks. You may not get paid for such work but you will get company, experience, free transport and meals. The Thistle Camps are for longer projects and these working holidays involve volunteers working on conservation projects at the countryside properties.
For the younger member there are summer camps called Trailblazers Camps. These are for 16 to 17 year olds and in between work teenagers can enjoy activities such as canoeing, go karting and sailing.
They welcome legacies and encourages members to consider them when making their will.
Listed below are the other Scottish National Trust for Scotland properties:
Dumfries and Galloway
Grey Mare's tail, Thomas Carlyle's Birthplace, Rockcliffe, Threave and Broughton House.
Scottish Borders
Robert Smail's printing works, Priorwood garden and dried flower shop, Harmony garden and St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve.
Edinburgh and the Lothians
House of the Binns, Newhailes, Mallery Garden, Inveresk Lodge and Preston Mill and Phantassie Doocot, No 28 Charlotte Square Edinburgh, The Georgian House, Gladstone's Land in the Lawnmarket of Edinburgh.
Fife
Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse, Falkland Palace, Royal Burgh of Culross and Kellie Castle.
Ayrshire and Arran
Goatfell, Brodick Castle, Bachelors' Club, Culzean Castle and Country Park and Country Park and Souter Johnnie's Cottage.
Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley
Weaver's Cottage, Holmwood, Greenbank Garden, David Livingstone Centre, Kittochside The Museum of Scottish Country Life. The Tenement House in Glasgow at 145 Buccleuch Street Garnethill, Hutcheson's Hall and Pollok House.
Argyll, Bute and Loch Lomond
Arduaine and Crarae Garden, The Hill House, Ben Lomond and Geilston Garden.
Central
Menstrie Castle, Ben Lawers, Moirlanich Longhouse, Dollar Glen, Alloa Tower, Bannockburn and The Pineapple.
Perthshire
Killiecrankie, Craigower, Linn of Tummel, The Hermitage, Dunkeld and Branklyn Garden
Angus
Barry Mill, JM Barrie's Birthplace, Camera Obscura, House of Dun and the Angus Folk Museum.
Lochaber
Glenfinnan Monument, Glencoe and Dalness.
West Coast Islands
St Kilda, Canna, Pabbay, Berneray, Mingulay, Staffa, Burg and Iona.
Ross-shire
Inverewe Garden, Corrieshalloch Gorge, Torridon, Falls of Glomach, Balmacra Estate and Lochalsh Woodland, Kintail and Morvich.
Inverness, Nairn, Moray and the Black Isle
Miller House and Hugh Miller's Cottage, Culloden and Brodie Castle.
Northern Islands
Unst, Yell and Fair Isle
There are various jobs with them and more information is available directly with them.
Wemyss House
28 Charlotte Square
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
EH2 4ET
(0131) 243 9300
www.nts.org.uk
National Trust Aberdeen
Guide to the National Trust for Scotland in Aberdeen and the NTS properties in Aberdeenshire with an offer for free membership and gift
Join and get entry to properties owned by The National Trust for Scotland.
www.nts.org.uk
Follow us on: Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Contact Me.
My new novel:
The Aberdeen skies are under attack from an enemy jet. It is spilling a strange yellow smoke. Minutes later, people start killing each other.
Former Royal Air Force Regiment Gunner Jason Harper witnesses this and then his wife, Pippa, telephones him, shouting that she needs him. They then get cut off. He sets straight out, unprepared for the nightmare that unfolds during his journey. Everyone seems to want to kill him.
Along the way, he pairs up with fellow survivor Imogen. But she enjoys killing the living dead far too much. Will she kill Jason in her blood thirst? Or will she hinder his journey through this zombie filled dystopian landscape to find his pregnant wife?
The Fence is the first in this series of post-apocalyptic military survival thrillers from the torturous mind of local horror and science fiction novel writer C.G. Buswell.
Download Now.
Buy the Paperback.
The National Trust Aberdeen have many properties throughout Aberdeenshire and have an active series of events throughout the year. These include events for children and events for children. For example some hold concerts throughout the summer and at Halloween the kids and grown ups can take part in parties at most throughout the Shire. Some grounds host assorted events ranging from bat walks, jousting tournaments, highland games and even an annual steam and vintage fair.
Those in our area include:
Castle Fraser
Craigievar Castle
Crathes Castle
Drum Castle
Fyvie Castle
Haddo House
Leith Hall
Mar Lodge Estate
Pitmedden Garden
There are links to each of these on the AboutAberdeen Scottish castles page which takes you to each AboutAberdeen review with photographs.
As a member you get an NTS Scotland sticker for your car that entitles the holder to free car parking. This is particularly useful for Crathes which many members use to enjoy the park, woodland walk and picnic area or restaurant on a fine day.
They have guides in most rooms whilst others have timed guided tours by knowledgeable staff. In the experience of the AboutAberdeen team the staff are very helpful and are pleased to answer and questions. They have been a great help in compiling our ghost story collection at the Ghosts And Ghost Stories Of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Scotland page.
They are old historic buildings and wherever possible there is disabled access. Some like Drum do involve climbing stairs to reach certain rooms, Great Halls and even the roof. Others have disabled access to many rooms though and our reviews or the NT handbook will give disabled visitors more information.
The gardens are mostly accessible for disabled visitors and this is certainly the case for the splendid Pitmedden and their delicious tearoom. There is also the option to buy plants and flowers from their team of gardeners. Plant sales often include seasonal bulbs and specialist plants.
Most allow you to take photos from outside the attraction but ask visitors not to take pictures inside their attractions. However many guide books have many professionally taken photographs with the history of each attraction. To preserve the paintings and furniture visitors are asked not to touch exhibits or sit on the antiques such as the four poster beds.
Dogs are not permitted within them but many locations have dog walking areas. Haddo House even has a small assault course for exercising dogs!
Each new member will be given a guide book. This is packed full of information for making the most of your membership. This includes facilities at each NT property such as toilets, parking, disabled access, shops, restaurants, directions, facilities for visually impaired visitors and mobility impaired visitors and any holiday accommodation.
Have you seen my beautiful golden retriever Lynne out and about in Aberdeen? Ask her for a high-five! She's a Bravehound PTSD assistance dog, so we'll often be in shops, restaurants, and the cinema together.
We've written a book where I talk about growing up in Aberdeen and then joining the army to be a medic and nurse, and developing military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I also talk about losing my son to suicide and the therapy I have had at Royal Cornhill Hospital and grief support groups in Aberdeen.
The author, Damien Lewis, said of Lynne:
"A powerful account of what one dog means to one man on his road to recovery. Both heart-warming and life-affirming. Bravo Chris and Lynne. Bravo Bravehound."
Download.
Buy the paperback.
An army veteran moves his family back to his Aberdeenshire home, but his nightmare neighbour starts a battle of wits with him. Who will win this One Last War?
Buy this latest novel by local author C.G. Buswell on Kindle or Paperback.
Advertise Here from just £70.
Most have a cafe or restaurant that serves hot meals, snacks, cakes and drinks. For example some sell home made cakes and sandwiches and hot soup whilst others sell a wide selection of cooked meals and desserts.
Located next to the restaurants are shops that sell a wide variety of souvenirs and keep sakes, postcards, books, stationery, cuddly toys, games, soft furnishings and gifts.
It is possible to pay a one of admission charge but if you are on holiday it is worth buying a membership which gives you admission to those throughout the UK. This usually works out cheaper if you are to visit over three. You also get a gift and several months membership extra. Joining is easily done online and is often cheaper.
Membership to the National trust can be done individually, as a couple or as a family. There are offers for retired people and gift membership is available and is an ideal present for Christmas or a birthday. This includes a personal gift card and welcome pack.
Another alternative is to buy a discovery ticket which gives the holder unlimited access to NTS properties for a set period of three days, one week or a fortnight.
The National Trust for Scotland Aberdeen work closely with schools and pupils throughout Aberdeenshire often go for an educational visit or school project.
They are often used for parties and weddings and a most common wedding venue is the picturesque Fyvie or the fairytale looking Craigievar.
Some are available for hire for social or corporate events. In addition a member can rent out a holiday cottage at a range of Scottish properties that also include lighthouse keepers cottages, crofts, apartments and many historic buildings. These holiday accommodation are for self catering though towels, sheets, etc are provided. Open fires are stocked up in the winter. Period furniture is kept in the historic homes for visitors to enjoy and modern furniture such as cots and child safety gates are provided so that you can relax and enjoy your holiday.
Such holiday accommodation ranges from sleeping 2 to 30 people. It is advised to book as early as possible because they can get fully booked, especially at peak times such as the school holidays, summer and at Christmas or the New Year.
They have a cruise ship called the Black Prince which has been used as an NTS holiday cruise ship since 1953. It has a crew strength of 200 staff and can accommodate up to 400 people. Most Black Prince cruises have a theme and onboard entertainment such as Aberdonians from the Scotland the What? team and the Orkney celebrity from Big Brother on channel 4 TV and panto star Cameron Stout.
Typically the Black Prince cruises sail twice a year with one week long cruise around the Scottish Isles whilst a two week cruise goes abroad to various countries and destinations such as Oporto, Greenland, Reykjavik and St Petersburg. The Black Prince cruises depart and arrive at Scottish ports. The cruises often have themes and special interests and have a series of lectures from leading experts.
As part of the membership you will be notified of each event in your area and events nationwide. These include banquets, re-enactments, craft fairs, ghost walks, ghost hunting, steam fair, behind the scenes tours, open air theatre shows, concerts, live music, traditional Scottish entertainment, murder mystery events and special dinners.
Do consider becoming a volunteer to help support them. Activities and jobs include working as a guide for the NT, working in the shops or restaurants, administrative work, recruiting and event organisation.
There are also weekend and day projects that volunteers can get involved in such as working outdoors creating paths and woodland walks. You may not get paid for such work but you will get company, experience, free transport and meals. The Thistle Camps are for longer projects and these working holidays involve volunteers working on conservation projects at the countryside properties.
For the younger member there are summer camps called Trailblazers Camps. These are for 16 to 17 year olds and in between work teenagers can enjoy activities such as canoeing, go karting and sailing.
They welcome legacies and encourages members to consider them when making their will.
Listed below are the other Scottish National Trust for Scotland properties:
Dumfries and Galloway
Grey Mare's tail, Thomas Carlyle's Birthplace, Rockcliffe, Threave and Broughton House.
Scottish Borders
Robert Smail's printing works, Priorwood garden and dried flower shop, Harmony garden and St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve.
Edinburgh and the Lothians
House of the Binns, Newhailes, Mallery Garden, Inveresk Lodge and Preston Mill and Phantassie Doocot, No 28 Charlotte Square Edinburgh, The Georgian House, Gladstone's Land in the Lawnmarket of Edinburgh.
Fife
Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse, Falkland Palace, Royal Burgh of Culross and Kellie Castle.
Ayrshire and Arran
Goatfell, Brodick Castle, Bachelors' Club, Culzean Castle and Country Park and Country Park and Souter Johnnie's Cottage.
Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley
Weaver's Cottage, Holmwood, Greenbank Garden, David Livingstone Centre, Kittochside The Museum of Scottish Country Life. The Tenement House in Glasgow at 145 Buccleuch Street Garnethill, Hutcheson's Hall and Pollok House.
Argyll, Bute and Loch Lomond
Arduaine and Crarae Garden, The Hill House, Ben Lomond and Geilston Garden.
Central
Menstrie Castle, Ben Lawers, Moirlanich Longhouse, Dollar Glen, Alloa Tower, Bannockburn and The Pineapple.
Perthshire
Killiecrankie, Craigower, Linn of Tummel, The Hermitage, Dunkeld and Branklyn Garden
Angus
Barry Mill, JM Barrie's Birthplace, Camera Obscura, House of Dun and the Angus Folk Museum.
Lochaber
Glenfinnan Monument, Glencoe and Dalness.
West Coast Islands
St Kilda, Canna, Pabbay, Berneray, Mingulay, Staffa, Burg and Iona.
Ross-shire
Inverewe Garden, Corrieshalloch Gorge, Torridon, Falls of Glomach, Balmacra Estate and Lochalsh Woodland, Kintail and Morvich.
Inverness, Nairn, Moray and the Black Isle
Miller House and Hugh Miller's Cottage, Culloden and Brodie Castle.
Northern Islands
Unst, Yell and Fair Isle
There are various jobs with them and more information is available directly with them.
Wemyss House
28 Charlotte Square
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
EH2 4ET
(0131) 243 9300
www.nts.org.uk
© Site contents copyright AboutAberdeen.com 2004-2024. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy / Disclaimer