Who can leave a gift in their Will?

Anyone can leave a gift in their Will to the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Every gift in every Will, no matter how big or small, really does make a difference to the future of Scotland’s wildlife.

Patricia Braithwaite

Brought up in Suffolk, Patricia loved being out in the countryside and had the opportunity to work at the coppicing of Bradfield Woods Reserve under Oliver Rackham, a leading historian and ecologist of British woodland. She was then invited by renowned field botanist Max Walters to survey Marsh Pea, which brought her into contact with botanists up and down the country and she was hooked for life.

Patricia met husband Michael with John Raven on his Rahoy Hills estate. Patricia decided to come and live in the Scottish Borders, where she supported her husband in his work for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, surveying the Borders Reserves.

Patricia struck up a friendship with Catriona Murray in Skye which led to a botanical survey of the Small Isles, where she particularly attracted to Eigg and was overjoyed when the Trust backed the successful community buyout.

Michael felt that it was natural that Patricia should leave a generous gift in her Will to the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Patricia’s support is having a great impact on the Trust’s ability to deliver our vision for wildlife across the wider Scottish landscape as well as in the Lothians and Scottish Borders, an area in which Patricia and Michael have a particular interest.

“Patricia Braithwaite had many interests, so her love of the countryside had to be fitted in round hospital laboratory work, choral singing and embroidery.” – Michael Braithwaite, Patricia’s husband

Alan Templeton

Alan Templeton inherited a love of wildlife and our precious environment from his father, who was a volunteer with the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

He loves to spend time out in the countryside with his wife and their dogs but as he has got older, Alan realises what severe pressure the natural world is under and he wants to help protect our wildlife and wild places.

Alan and his wife Patricia have chosen to leave a gift in their Wills to the Scottish Wildlife Trust as they feel that charities are under severe financial pressure and they want to ensure that our wild places are protected and that future generations can experience the wonder of the natural world, as he and his wife continue to do.

“The Scottish Wildlife Trust does fantastic work at around 120 reserves throughout Scotland, including the wonderful ‘Loch of the Lowes’ and ‘Montrose Basin’ reserves, but many other small but equally important reserves”. – Alan Templeton

Paul Ritchie

Paul describes himself as a fairly organised person and a believer in the motto “be prepared”, so it was with this in mind that he took the decision to write his Will.

Gifts to family members feature prominently as do gifts to charity, including the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Like many people, Paul has more than one charity which is close to his heart. By leaving a proportion of his estate to each, he has helped ensure that his legacy will make a difference to the causes he cares most about.

“On and off I find myself thinking about what’s important to me in my life. It comes down to two main things. People and the planet we live on. I try to reflect this in all aspects of my life, which is why I wanted to do so in my Will.” – Paul Ritchie

Marjorie Edgar

Marjorie was at her happiest when indulging in her passions for horticulture and wildlife. Born and raised in Brechin, Marjorie settled in Fife when her two children were teenagers.

She loved spending time at Loch of the Lowes and knowing this, her daughter Gillian suggested they apply to volunteer there. Marjorie was delighted when they were offered a position on the osprey watch and Gillian fondly recalls spending Saturday evenings together in the hide avidly monitoring the ospreys.

Marjorie’s love of the ospreys inspired her to leave a gift in her Will to the Scottish Wildlife Trust. With the gift from Marjorie a new volunteer space has been built, which her daughter feels is a great, lasting tribute.

“I know how much pleasure mum got from helping out at Loch of the Lowes. She loved every second she spent there. Sometimes she would actually say it felt like she was going home when we were heading to Lowes.” – Gillian Ogg, Marjorie’s daughter

Judith Tocher

So many of Judith’s childhood memories are tied up with wildlife, whether going for walks in the beautiful forests of Royal Deeside, scrambling up hills, or swimming in rivers. Judith’s dad was a keen bird and wildlife watcher who would point out mountain hares, red squirrels, a sun-bathing adder or soaring kestrel.

Judith’s love of Scotland’s wildlife has prompted her to leave a gift in her Will to the Scottish Wildlife Trust so that future generations will be able to enjoy our wildlife as Judith has done.

“I’m very privileged to now live in a part of Scotland where we can still see such wonderful wildlife and I care passionately about safeguarding this so that future generations can get the same enjoyment.” – Judith Tocher

Tom Kinsey

Tom Kinsey was born and brought up in Sheffield, but took Scotland to his heart when he arrived to work in the Department of Humanities at Glasgow University in 1953.

It was Tom’s great love for Scotland’s wildlife that prompted him to leave a gift in his Will to the Scottish Wildlife Trust. With his support, we were recently able to extend our Loch of the Lowes reserve, with the new land including the well-known tree that hosts the famous osprey nest.

“Tom loved watching ospreys. He also spent many hours looking for the elusive pine marten and really would be pleased at how his gift has been used.” – William Kinsey, Tom’s brother

Donald Stewart

Donald was a quiet man with a wonderful sense of humour. He loved bird-watching, and was always willing to share his knowledge of bird song.

An Aberdonian who finally settled in St Andrews, Donald Stewart was fortunate enough to travel widely during his lifetime. Yet there was always a special place in Donald’s heart for his local wildlife reserves in Fife and Angus, especially for Montrose Basin, Loch of Lintrathen, Kilminning and Bankhead Moss.

That was why Donald chose to leave a gift in his Will to the Scottish Wildlife Trust. We work with local communities to manage wildlife habitats across Scotland. Donald’s legacy will enable us to continue and build upon this work.

“I cherish memories of the early summer evenings spent together in the bird hide at Bankhead Moss listening to the call of water rail, reed buntings and willow warblers.” – Jean Stewart, Donald’s widow

Lesley & Mike Hawkins

We want to see Scotland’s wildlife protected today and into the future…a gift in our Will should help to continue the good work of the Scottish Wildlife Trust in ensuring Scotland’s precious wildlife is protected and enhanced.

Elspeth Smith

I have supported & worked with the Scottish Wildlife Trust (WATCH group many years ago). I have always felt that, as an organisation, you keep the balance between people & the natural environment sensibly.

Dan Baker

I can think of nothing better than to have many trees growing across our reserves for hundreds of years to come, after I am gone.

Thinking of leaving a legacy?

If you are considering including a gift to the Scottish Wildlife Trust in your Will, or have already done so, please let us know. Doing so is by no means legally binding, but we would like the opportunity to thank you and to acknowledge your support. For more information, call our development team on 0131 312 4761 or complete our online form.