The National Trust for Scotland has launched an appeal to support emergency work
needed to deal with the devastating destruction caused by Storm Éowyn at dozens of
the special places it cares for across the country including Threave Gardens, near Castle Douglas.
While the full extent of the impact is still being assessed, more than 30 places in the
care of the conservation charity have confirmed damage, much of which is severe and
will take time and incur significant cost to address.
At first count, every Trust garden in the south and west of Scotland has been affected.
At least 250 trees have been lost across the much-loved Culzean Country Park, over 60
are lost at Threave Garden at Castle Douglas, and 30 at Brodick Castle on Arran, as well as more than 10 trees each at Crarae Woodland Garden, Arduaine Garden, and GeilstonGarden.
All are known for their precious species of planting and historic woodlands, and
enjoyed by hundreds of thousands each year.
Much-loved trees have also been lost or damaged at Hill of Tarvit, Fife; Castle Fraser,
Aberdeenshire; House of the Binns, outside Edinburgh; and Greenbank Garden and
Holmwood, near Glasgow.
Many historic buildings have also suffered damage to roofs, walls, and fences, and the
Trust’s building surveyors and property teams are urgently assessing each place.
Structural damage is confirmed at the Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre, which has
significant roof damage and subsequent water ingress as well as damage to exterior
signage and interpretation.
In the east, the royal Falkland Palace and its garden, which date to at least the
16th century, has suffered roof and gutter damage, broken gates, and tree loss. Culross
Palace, Hill of Tarvit, Kellie Castle, and Newhailes House and Gardens have all suffered
damage to roofs.
In addition to severe tree loss at Culzean, the play park, fences, and walls there are
damaged, and a large polytunnel at Brodick was lifted in the air and smashed, all of
which will take great effort and require funds to repair.
Philip Long, the National Trust for Scotland’s Chief Executive, said: “The effect of Storm
Éowyn has been devasting. While at the Trust we are used to dealing with and plan for
difficult weather conditions, the brutal force of Storm Éowyn has wrought
unprecedented widespread damage to many of Scotland’s most loved places. Our
teams have been working flat-out to make them safe for people again, but the job of repair, restoration and planting will take much longer, and we would be very grateful for
people’s support of our charity in this.”Ali MacLeod, Head of Fundraising at the National Trust for Scotland, said: “From the
destruction caused to buildings to the loss of trees across Scotland, storm damage is
once again causing a period of difficult and expensive recovery, disrupting our planned
conservation work and incurring enormous cost. We need help to deal with the
aftermath and develop further the means to make our places more resilient to such
severe conditions.“Support will enable us to recover from Storm Éowyn and make it possible to share
these special places with visitors again, and it will help us continue to plan and prepare
for future incidents of extreme weather across Scotland.”
The National Trust for Scotland aims to care for, protect, and share Scotland’s nature,
beauty and heritage for everyone, as outlined in its 10-year strategy, launched in 2022.
To support its Storm Éowyn recovery and repair these special places,
visit https://www.nts.org.uk/campaigns/storm-appeal.
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