Graffiti had destroyed every sign at the site and a vehicle had been vandalized and abandoned on the lawn. With Scott Morton’s generous donation of $6,500 (approximately £5,000) the charity was able to clear up and repair the damaged signage and update interpretive panels.

The Pineapple was built in 1762 by the Earl of Dunmore as a summerhouse. The building is rented out as holiday accommodation and the grounds are opened to the public by the National Trust for Scotland.

Set in mature woodland that’s home to a wide range of plant and animal species, The Pineapple is a popular location for walkers and a great place to experience nature.

National Trust for Scotland Operations Manager for the area Cara Stewart said:

We are so grateful to our US donors for their help in funding the clean up here at the Pineapple. Without that, our charity would have had to divert funds from other vital conservation activities to cover these costs. The new signs look great and give our visitors all the information they need to get a flavour for this brilliant building and its lovely setting.

Executive Director of The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA Kirstin Bridier added:

All of us at NTSUSA were disheartened to learn about recent vandalism at The Pineapple, especially at a time when essential conservation resources are spread so thin. I am grateful to the Scott Mortons and delighted that NTSUSA was able to meet the Trust’s request for emergency funding as the organization continues the ongoing work of caring for Scotland’s irreplaceable heritage on behalf of future generations.