H 9 · National Trust for Scotland (NTS)
The National Trust for Scotland has greatly expanded its education work over the last five years. Having for many years functioned at the most minimal level, it now has an education officer in each of its four administrative regions, reporting both to a Conservation Manager in the region (for administrative matters) and to the Head of Education in Edinburgh who has responsibility for developing policy and strategy. In addition some of the larger Trust properties (including Culzean Castle) have education or interpretive officers of their own. The head of education also line manages three interpretative planners, whose job is to provide all the interpretation within the organisation including visitor centres, interpretative displays, exhibitions and Living History. Formal education is now well catered for, with activities in place at most properties and a schools programme which is distributed to every school in Scotland. In addition life-long learning programmes permeate all of the Trust activities and healthy outreach ensures that the resources of the organisation are available to distance learners of all ages and interests.
Much of the NTS’s education programme is developed to relate to the Scottish Curriculum. The very extensive educational website has been designed to support teachers, pupils and students and it is intended that eventually all the Trust’s educational resources will be available on the site for download. Curriculum subjects such as Citizenship and Art and Design can be approached by visiting properties such as The David Livingstone Centre or Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Hill House. The Trust aims to provide a service for the whole of Scotland, even though it is faced with distant sparselypopulated areas – in the Highlands and Islands for example – and with difficulties in getting children out of schools. ‘Travel and Tourism’ features in the school curriculum, and the Trust deals with enquiries from schools about the management of a large historic property such as Haddo House.
It also has to address the question of Scottish identity and the use of Gaelic as a ‘double language’ with English at Highlands and Islands sites. Newly developed programmes aim to introduce Gaelic medium and mainstream schools to the effects of Culloden on Gaelic and subsequent Scottish culture.
The staff of the Trust are aware that the membership is ageing, and that younger people may be less likely to be interested in some of the traditional themes presented at historic properties. It works on many new initiatives, such as conservation work in the countryside. In seeking to attract a younger set of members and enthusiasts, the NTS organises ‘Trail-blazer camps’ for young people aged 16-18 who enjoy a variety of activities including conservation work.
While outreach is a major priority for the future the Trust does not see it as being a substitute for actual visits to properties.
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