Culross RESIDENTS have stepped up their fight with the National Trust for Scotland over its decision to close local attractions two days a week.

Local politicians have joined the campaign to keep sites like Culross Palace and Bessie Bar tearoom open seven days a week.

There were fears Culross would turn into a ghost town if visitors arrived to find nothing open.

The NTS decision to restrict opening hours has been blamed on falling visitor numbers at tourist attractions throughout the country. However the trust now intends to draw up a strategy for sustaining tourism in Culross.

To reverse the closures, around 30 to 40 volunteers would need to be recruited to keep key sites afloat.

Better marketing has also been suggested.

Trust representatives met Culross Development Trust, the community council and Councillor Willie Ferguson last week in a bid to resolve the situation.

The development trust has sent the NTS a petition with 260 signatures calling for closures to be reversed.

Labour MSP for Dunfermline West Scott Barrie and Liberal Democrat MP for Dunfermline and West Fife Willie Rennie were also at the meeting.

Mr Rennie said, “There has been quite a lot of tension over the years between the community and NTS. I think they were surprised by the strength of feeling in the community and have responded to that.

“They have agreed to appoint a dedicated team of two professionals to develop a strategy that will encompass not just the palace but the whole of Culross.”

Camilla Garrett-Jones, of the development trust, said it was vital the palace and tea room were kept open seven days a week.

She said, “In the summer the place is heaving but NTS maintains that it would cost about an extra £5000 for the tearoom to open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

“They are desperate for more volunteers. If there were more volunteers it would be possible to open both the tearoom and palace.”

Ms Garrett-Jones said, “A lot of people have taken out memberships with NTS, expecting these places to be open.”

Mr Ferguson said he would try to secure funding from Fife Council to support the attractions.

He said, “The findings speak for themselves and they can’t keep running at a loss. But hopefully if we can help recruit volunteers, get more advertising and seek financial support, we may get those days back.”