Historian prepares to walk around Scotland to save National Trust properties
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Historian and archaeologist Edoardo Bedin is making the final preparations for a walk across Scotland in an attempt to save the jobs of his colleagues and to highlight the nation’s heritage.
Operations supervisor at Haddo House, Edoardo has seen first hand the impact of coronavirus on National Trust For Scotland properties after all staff were furloughed in March with properties unable to open to the public.
While gardens and parklands are reopening for the public to enjoy, many NTS properties remain closed.
He will be joined on his journey - which aims to walk to all 23 NTS properties in just four weeks - by Haddo House volunteer Daria Phoenix.
Knowing the impact of the pandemic on properties like Haddo House, Edoardo was inspired to take on the challenge to highlight the importance of preserving Scotland's heritage as well as to raise money to make this possible.
Explaining why he wants to walk across Scotland, Edoardo said: “Our walk should visit 23 of these closed properties, simply to remind us all that they are still there; that they are much loved and that they are still being looked after, and one day will be open again.
"History doesn’t go away, it is always there in the background.”
“We love Scotland, and its heritage is a huge part of that.”
Their walk will take them from Crathes Castle down to Glasgow and back up to Haddo House, covering around 800km.
Continuing, Edoardo said: “We are definitely not natural hikers.
"We love the outdoors and enjoy the odd stroll through a pretty garden or along a country lane, but a nearly 800km hike, walking every day for four weeks will be a challenge for us both.
"Although such a challenge is not something I relish I am doing it for the love of Scotland, for the love of its heritage and for the love of sharing it all with public again sometime soon.”
The pair will be supported on their journey by members of local Rotary Club, who will provide them with a place to lay their head each night.
Anybody who would like to donate to their efforts can do so online at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hittingtheroadfortheloveofscotland, and you can keep up with their progress by following Hitting The Road For The Love Of Scotland on Facebook.
