POLL

Poll: should Neil Oliver have been appointed president of the National Trust for Scotland?

This poll is over 6 years old

2 October 2017
by Graham Martin

Should Neil Oliver have been appointed president of the National Trust for Scotland?

Yes: 1839

No: 5461

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0 0
Lok Yue
over 6 years ago
NTS appoints renowned historian and archaeologist as president of national charity for history and archaeology. Sounds rather sensible.

0 0
John Cassidy
over 6 years ago
All charitable organisations require a high profile to attract interest and funding. A well know individual with a strong track record on the historic landscape and environment is ideal for the post of president of the National Trust for Scotland. His politics are not relevant, his skills and history interests are.

0 0
Sam
over 6 years ago
As the furore and your poll have been triggered by a political statement and stance Neil Oliver took. Could you please print the result of the poll you conducted when the President he's replacing, Jamie 16th Earl of Lindsay, a Conservative Peer was appointed to the post?Waiting with baited breath (although I'm certain it'll be in vain).

0 0
Colin Millar
over 6 years ago
Incredible that we can conflate the appointment of Neil Oliver and his expression of views in relation to the, now distant, Independence Referendum of 2014 and his ability to lead the National Trust for Scotland.Actually quite disgusted that it's event the topic of a poll to be honest.Are we all required to express our political views / preferences on job applications now? Wasn't there something in the Human Rights Act about preventing just this kind of thing happening?!Should we be checking his sexual orientation and any religious affiliations / views he may have before appointment too?

0 0
RealFreedom
over 6 years ago
@ Harry Brooks So the appointment of pro-independence Alan Cumming to be an NTS ambassador in America was fine? Despite his controversial views? The stench of hypocrisy from SNP trolls on this subject is nauseating.

0 0
ROBERT MCINTOSH
over 6 years ago
Much better for the NTS to have appointed someone that actually likes Scotland, does not 'emigrate' to New Zealand in a huff, can behave like an adult rather than a spoiled child and crucially is able to present a positive image rather than doing anything for the highest bidder approach - some of his historical ramblings have borne no reality to the truth to ensure a good 'story'

0 0
Freddiemac
over 6 years ago
Poll mirrors the indy vote intentions. Good support for a highly respected man.

0 0
sue cheadle
over 6 years ago
Just goes to show how out of touch the nts is.No surprise really.

0 0
Lorna Shiels
over 6 years ago
This reaction to Neil Oliver's appointment is embarrassing. Next we'll be seeing burnings of JK Rowling's books. I detest nationalism and how it's divided Scotland.

0 0
helen
over 6 years ago
What a lot if bitter nationalists there are, though thankfully a minority. Empty drums always make the most noise. On the Highland Clearances Neil did not claim they didn't happen and to use the term migration in regards to large numbers of people moving to another area is in fact grammatically correct. Nationalists offended by everything, ashamed of nothing.

0 0
Adam Brown
over 6 years ago
This is quite staggering that this poll has been put up on this site. Have a word with yourselves

0 0
George Penman
over 6 years ago
I do not approve of his political stance but his academic skills are in the top 10. So as a president of the NTS he is a good choice but there is one better his sidekick Tony Pollard would have been my FIRST choice.

0 0
RealFreedom
over 6 years ago
@ Clare Cooney. Well that would rule out anybody who supports the nats separation fantasy.

0 0
Alastair Osborne
over 6 years ago
Did you run a similar poll on his predecessor Lord Jamie Lindsay the former Tory Minister in the Scottish Office

0 0
ScottC
over 6 years ago
It's only an apolitical appointment if he now backs out of all political comment. I don't believe he'll be able to resist

0 0
Craigie Watson
over 6 years ago
Thanks for pandering to the nationalist mindset. The "outrage" that has been seen on Twitter and such places gives a pretty clear view of what upsets the keyboard warriors. That is to say, Mr Oliver has opposed their position and should therefore to be blacklisted by all "good" Scottish organisations.

0 0
T Huckle
over 6 years ago
I'm a member.....he meets with my approval.

0 0
Clare Cooney
over 6 years ago
Wouldn't it have been better to hire somebody who likes Scotland?

0 0
Mel Spence
over 6 years ago
Firstly. I may have some disagreements with Neil Oliver, but, I think he will do a good job for the NTS.However, this was always going to be a reputational challenge for the NTS. They should have been out in front of it, proactively dealing with the inevitable backlash before it hit them. Instead they are on the defensive.Project Risk can kill your project Operational Risk can kill your organisationAll Third sector organisations should treat this as a cautionary tale, and check their own operational risk processes

0 0
Harry Brooks
over 6 years ago
The NTS claims to be a politically neutral organization. Mr Oliver has chosen to express his personal political views in a particularly strident and offensive way. In associating itself with one side of the current debate the NTS risks alienating half of the population whose heritage it claims to be safeguarding.

0 0
RealFreedom
over 6 years ago
@ F mackenzie. Anyone who reduces the Highland clearances to a simplistic migration v ethnic cleansing debate is no Scottish historian.

0 0
Gwyn Moses
over 6 years ago
The NTS says it is not political but appoints someone with controversial political views who has offended almost half the population and will find working with the Scottish government difficult because of his views about the SNP. It almost looks deliberate. Remember that this follows the debacle of bullying small Scottish companies by trademarking geographical features, wasting member subscriptions on lawyer fees. The NTS seems to have lost direction.

0 0
Gill Lange
over 6 years ago
It was himself who made his persona political. He, and only himself, made political comment knowingly placing himself on the political sphere. Was he not asked about this at his interview or was it not deemed relevant that he made his political views publicly known?

0 0
iain
over 6 years ago
I'm not a member, but have often been a patron. I'm also a specialist on corporate governance in both profit and non profit sector - specialist as in 25 years experience in Scotland and internationally. Frankly, the NTS decision and attitude leaves me shaking my head in astonishment. NTS is a national body and should not be in any way partisan in the independence debate. With Oliver in the top job, that's impossible.

0 0
Mo
over 6 years ago
NTS should employ someone who is au fait with Scottish history. The appointment of Neil Oliver will negatively effect them. Many Scots will cancel their subscriptions.

0 0
Stu
over 6 years ago
A president should command respect from everyone and be neutral and above petty mendacious arguments. Sadly, Oliver 's political position make me pretty certain he should not hold such a prestigious position championing Scotland's heritage when he shows so much contempt for the opinions of a large portion of it's citizens. He may hold strong views about the union and it's preservation but in his lofty position in the public eye he's afforded by the BBC he should practise the fine art of keeping his opinions to himself, it may serve him better, although, I doubt it.

0 0
Heather
over 6 years ago
Major failing on NTS for trying to appoint a President who re-wrote the Scottish Highland clearances for the BBC ????

0 0
Annette Kupke
over 6 years ago
Irrespective of where one comes down on questions of Scottish politics, the NTS should not have appointed someone who was the source of so much controversy.

0 0
Patricia Fergus
over 6 years ago
He once claimed that the people from the highland clearances were actually migrants. Does not know his Scottish history !

0 0
Scott Mackay
over 6 years ago
Neil Oliver has insulted more than half of Scotland's population in my opinion and his appointment to the post says a lot about NTS.

0 0
Dennis Nicholson
over 6 years ago
Trust organisers are either totally out of touch or politically biased or both. A divisive choice, unpopular with a very significant proportion of the people they represent.

0 0
David Clater
over 6 years ago
Your real poll question should be "Should Third Force News really be demeaning itself by running this biased, vindictive and divisive nonsense?"

0 0
Joan Blanch
over 6 years ago
if the NTS are apolitical they shouldn't appoint someone who is so politically against independence. They should appoint someone who is apolitical (sitting on the fence).

0 0
pkay
over 6 years ago
Surely it would have been better to appoint an actual historian, which Mr Oliver is not.

0 0
Billy McBun
over 6 years ago
WATP!

0 0
Dan Doherty
over 6 years ago
If it’s apolitical why appoint an individual who has already used his media profile to appraise us all of his own political views? Regardless of what those views are. There are plenty of Historians who concentrate on their profession and not their own image and political views.

0 0
brian mcardle
over 6 years ago
Instead of informing us of our past ,he take political swipes at those elected,also stating that the Highland Clearances were just folk leaving is so much mince ,even i was taught that clans were thrown off lands shipped abroad ,all for sheep to be moved in a total disgrace

0 0
Barry Hamilton
over 6 years ago
Totally inappropriate appointment.

0 0
Jenny Gunning
over 6 years ago
Whilst Neil Oliver has every right to express his own particular political preference, he has rather unusual historical perceptions too, which must be considered by the National Trust inasmuch as the effect these perceptions will be bound to have on the way the Trust presents Scottish history. Also, by appointing such a controversial figure, the Trust cannot then call itself apolitical, as it must be affected by the views of it appointee.

0 0
brian mcardle
over 6 years ago
Last guy in the job was a Tory ,i may loathe the Tory party and its members ,but not once disd i hear the Lord express such ignorance of the Highland Clearances ,what next mr Oliver?,promoting CAMPBELL`S soup in Glencoe?

0 0
Michelle Kane
over 6 years ago
Most definitely yes and totally agree with Colin Millar comment re Human Rights Act.

0 0
Christine Cameron
over 6 years ago
His take on Scottish history is skewed and biased. He is no attribute to the NTS.

0 0
James Dalgliesh
over 6 years ago
WHY NOT ????

0 0
william smith
over 6 years ago
would have preffered some one who actually knows their Scottish history

0 0
Mik Johnstone
over 6 years ago
i could almost get over the fact he doesn't like Us Independence supporters... but i'm not gonna, however, it's the fact he thinks the Highland Clearances were a jaunt off to a foreign land to settle, is damned right ignorant ...

0 0
Janice Preston
over 6 years ago
Shocking that a so called 'historian' can describe the Highland clearance's as voluntary emigration.....disgrace and not fit for the job

0 0
Kit Hood
over 6 years ago
The charity may claim to be apolitical but Neil Oliver is anything but! His views are not Scottish and describing the Highland clearances as 'emigration' is unforgivable. He should not have been given a job like that with those views.

0 0
jackie ballie
over 6 years ago
Resign now

0 0
terri mcintyre
over 6 years ago
For me Mr Oliver's attempted whitewash of the Highland Clearances is offensive as a descendant of people cleared off Strathnaver in the north Highlands his description of enforced eviction was offensive.

0 0
Jane Devlin
over 6 years ago
Neil Oliver is brilliant and a great ambassador for Scotland

0 0
radders
over 6 years ago
xxx

0 0
Isabel Walker
over 6 years ago
His blatant dislike for Scotland speaks volumes

0 0
Morag Lawson
over 6 years ago
Why would someone so anti Scottish be given this position?

0 0
Lorna Gillespie
over 6 years ago
The National Trust is supposed to be politically impartial. This excuse for a Scotsman has been quite blatant about what his politics are ! That I can tolerate, this is a democracy after all but I agree that his disgusting comments about the highland clearances are unforgivable.

0 0
Douglas Allan
over 6 years ago
The National Trust for Scotland is quit rightly apolitical, Mr. Oliver is historically NOT, the current spread of numbers in this survey would suggest he has already damaged the organisation.

0 0
Lorna Boyce
over 6 years ago
Someone who cares so little for his country and its people should not be in such a position

0 0
Henry McMillan
over 6 years ago
Already cancelled my membership!

0 0
Morag Dobbie
over 6 years ago
This man is a traitor to Scotland and should never have been offered the post

0 0
David Francis
over 6 years ago
"We have to re-open Plato’s argument that we should claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant."Exactly why the very, very, very Intolerant Mr Oliver should NOT be employed by the NTS.

0 0
Mrs V.Nelson
over 6 years ago
An obvious impartial, qualified and experienced representative should head this organisation. I am NOT re-newing my membership, because of this. If an egocentric,hair tossing shampoo ad.wannabe heads such an important position-your organisation is doomed. Stop chasing/courting celebrity

0 0
gordon ross
over 6 years ago
A clearance denier. Tries to say that the old and infirm being burned in their beds was "emigration"

0 0
BLMac
over 6 years ago
It's bloody stupid to appoint someone who has pissed off half your potential donors and clientele. Obviously a politically motivated reward.

0 0
David Macqueen
over 6 years ago
The NTS must have known this appointment to be controversial to say the least. There must have been candidates they passed over who would in no way have lost them the members they are now losing. Baffling!!

0 0
Allan Moffat
over 6 years ago
Oliver is divisive and as a member of NTS for over 20 years, visit every weekend, 2 of my family will now not renew and more will follow losing revenue with long term consequences . He hates Scotland and Scottish people which is not a good look, reverse the decision if you have common sense.

0 0
Terry Mac
over 6 years ago
Neil Oliver called the Highland clearances a "migration" and presented Scotland's history from an English perspective in a very patronising and disrepectful manner. Then he just made stuff up.

0 0
Andrew Hepburn
over 6 years ago
He’s not fit to hold a position that has Scotland’s heritage interests given his anti-Scotland stance.

0 0
David Francis
over 6 years ago
To be honest - this was a very, very Political Appointment by NTS. To give such a high-profile job to a loud-mouthed, foul-mouthed Bitter wee British Nationalist, was always going to alienate most Scots - as this poll clearly shows

0 0
Mark Richards
over 6 years ago
I feel we are getting infiltrated,I'm not exaggerating,honestly I do,this reeks of "jobs for the boys" type attitude.I haven't read yet who is responsible for this guy getting near the place,a rich tory perhaps! No ,it's downright ridiculous and most of insulting.

0 0
Stevieboy
over 6 years ago
Sorry, but Oliver is not a qualified historian, nor is he fit to represent such a prestigious institution when he has such forthright political views and also has a tendency to rewrite history to fit those views.

0 0
Ian
over 6 years ago
This sad excuse for a mans disgusting comments about the highland clearances are unforgivable

0 0
Mary Dale
over 6 years ago
The man's politics are inappropriate for this organisation.

0 0
Serena Arif
over 6 years ago
Appalling appointment for an apolitical position. Someone who has spouted hate towards a chunk of Scottish society and has rebranded the Highland Clearances.

0 0
Sean Gallagher
over 6 years ago
Just no. He puts the country down to further his career.

0 0
Stuart
over 6 years ago
Neither renowned or a historian. Very poor choice, would rather have had an academic and/or someone who is politically neutral. Not happy, and I'm their target market.

0 0
J Connolley
over 6 years ago
No turncoat should have this position.

0 0
Malcolm Brown
over 6 years ago
Much as I disagree with the man, and I daresay, actively dislike him, he IS entitled to his opinion. What is wrong is NTS putting him in an exalted position where his opinion will be heard over that of the general public, who in many cases, possibly even the majority, have radically different views. I say sack him NOW.

0 0
Duncan Laing
over 6 years ago
Neil Oliver is an Archaeologist NOT a Historian. Neil Oliver is a well recognised UK fundamentalist. Neil Oliver has been called out by Scottish AND English Professors of History and Archaeologists for twisting and subverting History to suit a British agenda rather than reporting THE TRUTH and separating the very obvious differences between Scottish and English History. Neil Oliver's version of History is one of the main reasons the BBC's future has been called into question. Neil Oliver is roundly HATED in Scotland because of his very obvious "British" agenda... Maggie Thatcher would have been a better choice for the post ffs .

0 0
Rosemary Meechan
over 6 years ago
Neil Oliver's opinions are cancerous and divisive. He should stick to facile, misleading documentaries and Coast - to for the brain dead,

0 0
Brian Mulrine
over 6 years ago
The man is a British Nationalist bigot, incapable of anything other than a Unionist understanding of History.

0 0
Ronnie
over 6 years ago
If NTS is truly apolitical they should not be appointing a president who regularly 'shoots his mouth off' on matters political. He's a self-aggrandising ego tripper.

0 0
Elizabeth Maxwell
over 6 years ago
The National Trust for Scotland would have been better choosing an ambassador who actually cares about Scottish history. Neil Oliver has proved his disdain for Scotland and its history by his inaccurate and biased television programmes

0 0
Eleanor Murray
over 6 years ago
The NTS is a membership organisation> Anyone could join and vote at the AGM if they genuinely cared about the future of the organisation. Personally, while I think the choice was naive, I am pleased to see a move away from Dukes and Lords holding the role. I would have been more pleased to see a women in the role, such as Margaret Bennett, but it is not up to me.

0 0
James Westland
over 6 years ago
Its not the fact that he is a unionist that is the problem Or that he's just another in a line of ProudScotButs. Its the fact that he has made some pretty intemperate and poisonous comments in the recent past about supporters of independence. There is something deeply unpleasant about this individual - he seems to have some sort of issues that, IMO make him unsuited to this role. The language of the academic and the researcher should be measured and sober. thats not what you get from this guy

0 0
Margaret Kay
over 6 years ago
Mr Oliver works to the detriment of Scotland - sure the position with NTS should have been given to someone who actually likes Scotland

0 0
David Martin
over 6 years ago
This vote should have been restricted to native born Scots, ie no English or any other nation for that matter. Born in Scotland of Scottish parents.

0 0
Bill Smith
over 6 years ago
This guy represents everything that has kept Scotland as a subservient nation to Inglistan . He complies and encourages the false premise that we are a union of equals when in fact we have alien cultures and values to our southern neighbours. Having lived in inglistan for 20 years but now returned to Scotland 25 years ago I can back up this statement with facts . He is a quisling,

0 0
ian hardie
over 6 years ago
This man has expressed his political allegiance to a foreign Government and has also made a mockery of his so called own people. He is not welcome in Scotland and is not suitable for this position, i have therefore cancelled my membership

0 0
Mo Bowman
over 6 years ago
As the appointment has provoked such outrage-NO he should not have been given the post.It has brought the Trust into disrepute!

0 0
Peter Barlow
over 6 years ago
Neil Oliver has re-framed the forced expulsion of *people* from their homes (the Highland Clearances) as 'mass migration'. He has referred to the desires of nearly half of the voters of Scotland (possibly more after the Better Together lies have been exposed) as 'cancerous'. He is rudely political, misinformed (or perhaps just dissembling) and divisive. He isn't even a Historian!As such he has no place heading a non-political 'National' Trust.

0 0
Alfred Deegan
over 6 years ago
Quisling

0 0
StarryTowers
over 6 years ago
Wrong to appoint a divisive political character who has voiced his very strong views on the subject of independence. Not helpful to the NTS as it immediately alienates a large section of the Scottish public. In his opinion further debate on the subject is a "cancerous presence", he doesn't appear to believe in democracy in this fast-moving and changing situation. Being so opposed to so-called cybernats is very confrontational to people who happen to be in favour of independence and own a computer.

0 0
Don Walker
over 6 years ago
I am greatly saddened that such a controversial figure is now ensconced in this position. He shattered my view of him with his outrageous view of Independence during th3 referenda , when it would have been wise to stay neutral. Thus ailienating half of his fan base. As we no he is not a historian he is a propagandist , giving a warped view of history.

0 0
Garry
over 6 years ago
Total kick in the teeth for Scots who do support independence, this guy keeps stocking the flames of division, will the next president be Alex Salmond?

0 0
batman
over 6 years ago
he's a weedy wee bawbag

0 0
Alan Knight
over 6 years ago
Neil Oliver is not fit to be president of anything. ALSO, HE IS NOT A HISTORIAN! His nauseating views on Scotland. the Highland Clearances and independence make it clear that he is a Brit Nat, dedicated to suppressing the real truth about Scotland. He is a disgrace, and quite frankly so are the NTS, another organisation who exist only for themselves and their conservative friends, and do not represent the people of Scotland. Shame on you!!

0 0
Jim Cunningham
over 6 years ago
HE IS ANTI-SCOTTISH!..A SELF INDULGENT ARSEHOLE!!....

0 0
Dave Shand
over 6 years ago
Neil Oliver has alienated pro independence movement by his outspoken views of the SNP and key members of the party. In his role as President even although it is largely ceremonial how can he possibly represent those members. Additionally he appears to interpret the history of Scotland in a strange British context -odd for an archeologist

0 0
Graeme Cummng
over 6 years ago
I am an NTS member and guide. I do not accept that a man with widely publicised toxic views on Scotland can be acceptable as an Ambassador for an apolitical organisation.

0 0
Lady Caroline McLean-Smith
over 6 years ago
I do believe we would be better with someone who actually LIKES Scotland and am shocked that he should even be considered after he said the Highland Clearances were EMMIGRATION--.never mind his anti-Scotland political views----he has twisted facts on our history ad nauseum to suit his own agenda. NO NO NO.

0 0
Oor Deb
over 6 years ago
Mr. Oliver is a polarising figure whose insulting attacks on nearly half the voting public of Scotland make him unfit to hold this office

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Poll: should Neil Oliver have been appointed president of the National Trust for Scotland?

Should Neil Oliver have been appointed president of the National Trust for Scotland?

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