Didn’t see the ad. But I’ve just renewed our EH membership with Tesco vouchers - £33 vouchers got £99 membership (adult plus a senior over 65). As 2 tickets for Stirling Castle cost that much, and we visit every year, we get our money’s worth from it.
If you’re not a member of either organisation, check out what you might use them for.
NT works with NTS sites in Scotland (and NTS might be cheaper but I haven’t checked recently). But if we weren’t near an NTS site that we visit monthly (the dog loves Culzean), I’m not sure we’d keep up the membership.
EH works at Historic Scotland sites (and Cadw) but as half price in the first year, then free.
Not happy with NTS. Well not happy with the reply to an email that I sent them. Last Friday, we decided to visit Craigievar castle, which is about 1 1/2 hours drive away. We managed to get parked in the very rough car park and went to buy tickets. We knew that we couldn't book in advance and that groups were allowed in at 10 min intervals, but were most disappointed to find an almost 3 hour wait to get in. (I got a notion that there was a longer gap between entries). To make things worse, the toilets were pretty disgusting.
Well, we weren't going to wait that long so headed for Crathes castle instead where we only had a short wait to get in - in spite of large numbers of people in the grounds.
I wrote to the NTS about this and the reply was a great example of how NOT to respond to a customer. It was effectively, "this is how it is so put up with it". Considering how I have always found NTS staff to be polite and helpful, here was someone who could easily make me consider leaving.
If you want to visit Craigievar castle, go on a miserable day when the kids are at school.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
We only use the National Trust membership. We travel all over the UK and find it a great membership if you're using several times a year.
There are some deals about. I recently had a £5 voucher when we signed up.
Joint membership is cheaper when you purchase! http://www.policediscountoffers.co.uk/national-trust-membership/
I recently joined the NT. because I use a mobility scooter I got a card for my husband as carer. We’ve got our money’s worth in about three visits so I not complaining.