National Trust must not ‘repeat mistakes'

The National Trust for Scotland has been urged to involve local communities in decisions affecting the future of its properties by north-east Fife’s MSP.

A Victorian theme at NTS property Hill of Tarvit Mansion House.

Following publication of a report which recommends the conservation charity sells some of its portfolio or hands over their management, Iain Smith called upon the trust to avoid making the same mistakes as last year.

After a nine-month review of the trust, former Scottish Parliament presiding officer George Reid recommended radical reform for the "not fit for purpose" body and suggested other bodies such as Historic Scotland could run some properties, including buildings in ruins like Balmerino Abbey.

Financial difficulties have already forced the trust to make 45 staff redundant, sell its Edinburgh headquarters and mothball four properties.

In north-east Fife, it was feared last year that the Edwardian Hill of Tarvit Mansion House, near Cupar, and 12th century Kellie Castle, near Pittenweem, could close.

Mr Smith, who is convener of the Scottish Parliament's economy, energy and tourism committee, said, "There is no doubt that the National Trust for Scotland can and must do things better and a restructuring of the organisation has been, to many, an inevitability.

"But it is vital that the NTS's duty to Scotland's heritage is at the forefront of any restructuring exercise."

Mr Smith said the strength of feeling in north-east Fife for the preservation of trust-owned properties Falkland Palace, Hill of Tarvit and Kellie Castle was unquestionable.

He added, "The NTS must avoid making the same mistakes as last year and involve local people in determining the future of its properties."

Meanwhile, the trust has announced a deal with a hospitality firm to manage and cater for weddings, functions and corporate events at Falkland Palace, Hill of Tarvit, Kellie Castle and House of Dun in Angus.

The partnership with Heritage Portfolio Ltd, which is the first of its kind for the trust, is unrelated to the review.

But Mr Smith described it as the "type of common sense approach that was sadly lacking in the past."

He said, "Hopefully this venture will provide these properties with the financial security required for their long-term future."

Click for more on these topics:

People: Iain Smith, George Reid | Organisations: The National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Parliament, NTS | Places: Fife, Edinburgh, Cupar, Pittenweem, Scotland, Angus | Concepts: Properties, Heritage, Conservation charity, Trust, Tourism committee

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