The National Trust for Scotland is preparing to reopen dozens of gardens and estates to visitors across the country.
Around 30 facilities operated by the Scottish conservation charity will reopen from July 6 as lockdown restrictions across the country begin to ease.
Brodie Castle’s garden and estate in Moray and Crathes Castle’s garden and estate in Aberdeenshire will be among the premises reopening, alongside Highland attractions Inverewe Gardens and estate and Culloden Battlefield.
The announcement comes just one week after thousands of people signed a petition to save under-threat jobs, following fears 75% of the charity’s highly-skilled rangers and ecologists were at risk of redundancy.
Trust chairman Sir Mark Jones said: “We are hard at work preparing to open up dozens more of our beautiful places once again.
“Our staff are coming back from furlough, we’ve redesigned the visitor routes at some places and, of course, we are closely following all the advice on safety and hygiene measures, so that everyone can enjoy their trip to the Trust.”
The closures have had a devastating impact on the charity’s income, creating a £28 million shortfall this year alone.
The trust was forced to take emergency action in an effort to save money, including 429 staff being put at risk of redundancy alongside the suspension of projects and the postponement of properties re-opening.
The charity has also launched the Save Our Scotland appeal which aims to raise £2.5m.
A series of changes are now being made by the conservation charity.
Sir Mark added: “We would like to thank all the members who have stuck with us during this crisis and those who have donated to our Save Our Scotland appeal.
“We are really looking forward to welcoming our local visitors back and we hope that this helps us all emerge back into the light, after being confined for so long.”
A full list of gardens and estates opening can be found here.
