A shared legacy built upon the protection of Scotland.
Every walk through Scotland's mountains, glens and coastlines leaves an impact. The challenge is making sure that impact is positive. It's a belief shared by both Keela and the National Trust for Scotland - that protecting Scotland today means future generations can enjoy it tomorrow.
For 95 years, the Trust has been protecting these places. In a changing climate, conservation means active, forward-thinking restoration to ensure the beauty of Scotland remains.
But protecting these spaces also comes down to how we visit them. Travelling responsibly by respecting paths, taking litter home and giving wildlife space ensures we leave these landscapes exactly as we found them. It’s this shared effort that has allowed the Trust to pioneer public access to Scotland’s magnificent mountains, islands and wildlife since 1931.
Right now, the conservation charity is prioritising several habitats and species under the Plan for Nature. Originally published in 2024, the plan sets out the positive changes that can be made to the environment with everyone's shared support.
The 2025/26 period marked the first full year of activity since its launch, during which the Trust invested over £2.65 million directly into large-scale conservation work. This includes high-altitude work at Ben Lawers to protect the rare alpine gentian and replanting unique whitebeam trees in Glen Rosa after the wildfire in 2025. But most importantly, it’s about the people. Rangers and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure nature thrives so it can continue to provide physical and mental wellbeing for everyone.
Balancing sustainable tourism and access alongside the conservation of very special wildlife is essential, and the support of volunteers makes a massive impact on that mission.
The National Trust for Scotland protects the land, but supporting the rangers and volunteers on the hills requires outdoor wear that can withstand harsh, unpredictable environments.
In fact, Keela has been a proud part of the Trust’s footpath restoration teams for years, with our protective jackets keeping them dry while they protect the trails we love. This shared need highlights a deeper common value between the Trust and us here at Keela.
Operating from Scotland’s East Coast, our manufacturing process is built on a ‘repair and restore’ model rather than a fast-fashion lifecycle. Just as the Trust works to regenerate habitats, we focus on extending the life of outdoor apparel to reduce environmental impact. This is managed through our Clothing Hospital – which has been operating since the 1980s – and our current Legacy Project.
This partnership is built on shared values of legacy and preservation. Through Keela’s Legacy Project, classic designs with minor transit damage are carefully refurbished rather than discarded. By using a manual restoration process and turning spare fabrics into new kit, we focus on minimising waste. Both Keela and the Trust share the core belief that whether it’s a mountain trail or a piece of outdoor wear, things should be built to last and preserved for the next generation.
As an independent charity, the National Trust for Scotland can only carry out this vital conservation work by generating public support. That backing comes in many different ways. It can mean paying for parking when you visit a site like Ben Lomond, signing up to become a member, supporting a fundraising appeal or buying a coffee or a keyring at one of their properties. Every supporter makes a profound difference in making this work possible, and there is immense gratitude for everyone who chooses to protect Scotland's future.
Every purchase from the Where Nature Leads collection helps support the National Trust for Scotland’s conservation work, ensuring Scotland’s mountains, glens and coastlines remain places to explore for generations to come. We invite you to explore the story of Scotland, dressed in outdoor wear designed to perform today and preserve tomorrow.
Show us your journey. Tag us in your favourite Scottish places and match your outdoor wear to the landscape by tagging @keelaoutdoors and @nationaltrustforscotland.
