National Trust Scotland fight back from moth infestation at iconic landmark
Giant freezers are to be installed at Newhailes House to tackle a moth infestation.
Two 20ft-long freezers have been installed at the 17th century stately home, near Musselburgh, ahead of a deep clean programme.
Over the coming weeks, all carpets, curtains, chairs and clothing at the National Trust for Scotland attraction will be plunged into temperatures of minus 35C (minus 31F) to destroy moth eggs and larvae.
Staff will then use specialist vacuum cleaners to clean the textiles.
Mel Houston, from the National Trust for Scotland, said: “This is the biggest project that the National Trust for Scotland has ever undertaken to tackle a pest problem like this and protect the important collections at Newhailes.
“In the last year moth numbers at Newhailes have exploded and we’ve seen a four-fold increase in how many we’re finding.
“We’re lucky to have been able to catch the problem at just the right time, when we’re able to do something to control the moths before really serious damage is done.
“The deep freeze and deep clean gives us the confidence that we’re killing off as many moths as we can.
“We’ll never get rid of them completely but we’ll be able to get down to the level where they can be controlled.”
This Palladian mansion was once home to the influential Dalrymple family and is situated in 34 hectares of historical landscape.
Public tours will run on February 6, 13, 20, 27 and March 6, 13 at 10am and 2pm.
The hour tour costs £8 per person.
A Trust spokesperson said: “The special tours we are conducting are a unique experience to see the house and explain the work we are doing to try and protect it.”
Details on how to book a tour can be found on the NTS website.
By Alison Gilchrist
