In memory of Sir Angus Stirling

Sir Angus Stirling joined the Trust as Director-General in 1983 from the Arts Council, where he served as its Deputy Secretary-General.

He led the National Trust through a growth in its membership and through several nationally important and complex acquisitions. Most notably, under his leadership, we acquired properties with illustrious and interesting histories such as Calke Abbey, Ightham Mote and Kedleston Hall. We also cared for areas of natural beauty; the acquisitions of Devil’s Dyke in Sussex and Orford Ness further promoted the National Trust’s preservation and conservation of nature-rich spaces.

Furthermore, Sir Angus understood the importance of children’s access to the National Trust and how early interactions with heritage and nature could spark a life-long interest. School visits to National Trust properties were a well-used and successful instrument during his time, reaching over half a million children annually by the mid‑1990s.

By the time of Sir Angus’ retirement from the Trust in 1996, the charity looked after a quarter of a million hectares of land, more than 550 miles of coast, and served over two million members.

Alongside his established career at the National Trust, Sir Angus Stirling also held prominent non-executive roles in the cultural sector including as chairman of the Royal Opera House.

Sir Angus is survived by his wife, Morar Schofield, and son and two daughters.