A field study education centre in Perthshire is facing closure after being forced to make redundancies due to “challenging business conditions”.
The Kindrogan Field Study Centre, near Pitlochry, is the only field study centre of its kind in the area and one of only two in Scotland, with the other in Millport.
Students and schools take up residency at the facilities for environmental education lessons.
Bosses at the Field Studies Council (FSC), who run the centre, say Kindrogan is on “strategic hold” after being reduced to a non-residential capacity earlier this year.
Tim Foster, head of group (North) Field Studies Council, said: “On January 18 and due to increasingly challenging business conditions the FSC made the difficult decision to temporarily close FSC Kindrogan which resulted in five redundancies.
“The charity was able to help the majority of staff find new positions or redeploy them to other locations within the Field Studies Council.
“At their board of trustees meeting on the July 4 it was agreed to place Kindrogan on ‘strategic hold’ and decided that the FSC would continue to work with partners to consider alternative options for its use.
“Work is progressing to deliver outreach which is part of a realignment of FSC work in Scotland that includes growth at its Millport centre.”
However one lecturer, who wished to remain anonymous, has accused the FSC of trying to sell the centre “by stealth”.
The lecturer said: “The field study centre is being sold by stealth, in my opinion.
“From my perspective the centre has never looked better. I worked there last summer and everything seemed to be superb.
“They haven’t told anyone that they’re doing this, they haven’t let anyone know.”
In an email from FSC sent in January, that was made available to The Courier, lecturers were asked if they could transfer their courses away from Kindrogan for 2019.
Depute First Minister John Swinney MSP said he was keen to see Kindrogan stay open.
Mr Swinney: “Kindrogan is a valuable centre that provides excellent opportunities for individuals to appreciate and understand so many aspects of our natural environment and the challenges it faces.
“I am very keen to find ways in which Kindrogan can continue to fulfil this role and continue the work that has been undertaken for so long.
“I will meet with FSC to discuss how this might be taken forward.”
