Trust Jackie Bird: Heritage role for broadcaster

Broadcaster Jackie Bird has been named the first female president of the National Trust for Scotland.

She takes on the role after members of the conservation charity – Scotland’s largest membership organisation – endorsed her appointment at the trust’s annual general meeting in Glasgow yesterday.

David Mitchell, the National Trust for Scotland’s deputy chair, said: “Jackie Bird is already a committed friend to the National Trust for Scotland, doing a wonderful job presenting our Love Scotland podcasts.

“We are delighted that she has strengthened the connection, taking on this valuable ambassadorial role for the trust and the work we do across Scotland.Jackie’s deep interest in Scotland’s heritage, and her skills at communicating that, will be a huge asset to the trust.

“We’re grateful to Jackie for accepting the role, delighted that our members confirmed her appointment, and very excited about working with her to tell people about Scotland’s magnificent heritage and the work the trust does to protect, care for, share and speak up for it.”

Jackie Bird: Amid the chaos and queuing, humans at passport office reveal why we need good people to make bad systems better

Ahead of the meeting, Bird, a journalist, broadcaster and anchor of BBC’s Reporting Scotland for three decades, said: “When I started hosting the National Trust for Scotland podcast during the pandemic, my eyes were really opened to the value of its people, its places and the breadth of its activity to protect Scotland’s heritage.

“I knew the trust cared for some of Scotland’s most historic buildings and landscapes but I hadn’t fully realised its vast remit in terms of protecting our natural world – from flora and fauna to the stewardship of entire islands.

“More than ever, I know the importance of the trust’s work to all parts of Scotland and to all generations who live or visit here.

“I’m absolutely committed to and excited about using my role as president to communicate that importance to different audiences, and I’m flattered to have the opportunity to do so.”

She succeeds historian and TV ­presenter Neil Oliver, who held the role until ­2020.

Since leaving the Reporting Scotland newsroom after 30 years Bird has launched the Scotland’s People awards and has continued to present coverage of Children In Need.

The trust’s AGM took place at the Technology and Innovation Centre at Strathclyde University in Glasgow. As well as confirmation of the new president, attendees also heard about a new strategy – Nature, Beauty And Heritage For Everyone.

Over the past 90 years the trust has pioneered public access to, and shared ownership of, some of the most magnificent buildings, collections and landscapes in Scotland.

It cares for more than 100 sites, from ancient houses to battlefields, castles, mills, gardens, coastlines, islands, mountain ranges and the plants and animals that depend upon them.