Over the last few years, the UK has seen an explosion in small, alternative lotteries. It isn’t just the Health Lottery, but local authorities have stepped up to raise money for local causes. Now, there is a Scottish heritage lottery. The brainchild of National Trust for Scotland, it will cost up to £104 per year and have a top monthly prize of £5,000. NT Scotland has already reached out to National Trust members, offering them the chance to sign up and playable by direct debit. However, it is open to everyone in the UK not just members, and not just Scottish residents.
Protecting Historic Assets Through a Dedicated Scottish Heritage Lottery
National Trust Scotland expects some 5,000 people will be in to play the first draw; eventually, the Scottish heritage lottery should reach the hundreds of thousands. NTS always planned to launch this lottery but with the forced closures of the lockdown in place since late March, the charity has struggled for revenue. This is prime tourist season and so they have had to speed up implementing the lottery to ensure the organisation’s long-term survival. The National Trust Scotland heritage properties include:
- Brodick Castle, Isle of Arran
- Culross Palace, Fife
- Culzean Castle, Ayrshire
- Inverewe Garden, Wester Ross
- Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
They also manage some properties along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, properties from across the ages and across the country.
The Scottish heritage lottery already has projects earmarked for revenue. First up, they want to refurbish Gladstone’s Land: among the oldest building on the Royal Mile. Then, in Angus, a Georgian mansion called House of Dun is also in need of repair and refurbishment. In all, National Trust Scotland cares for over 5,000 properties from ancient sites to medieval castles to Victorian stately homes. They receive no government funding, rely solely on membership and entry fees.