Conservation charity has been hit by income drop

A £2.5m funding drive has been launched by the National Trsut for Scotland in a bid to save the conservation charity’s income.

The trust has experienced a huge drop in revenue following the closure of the country’s most iconic sites due to the pandemic.

It faces a crisis and is now asking mebers to dig deep to support its future.

A letter sent by chairman Sir Mark Jones to the trust’s 365,000 members said: “If every home that has a membership donated £14 we could raise £2.5million – to aid our recovery and continue our vital work.

“That’s why I’m asking for your urgent support to protect the places we love from being lost forever.”

It says its reserves will only cover operational costs for six months but its activities are worth almost £300m a year to the economy.

"We exist to benefit everyone in Scotland, whether they are visiting a property and learning about Scotland’s history, gaining valuable experience through volunteering on a work camp or climbing a mountain and feeling awesome.

"Many of the places we care for would continue to exist but that doesn’t guarantee people will continue to access, learn and enjoy them in the way they do now.

"That’s the value and the purpose of the Trust and why Scotland would be a poorer place without the work we do.”

It costs NTS around £1m a week to "ensure the places in its care are protected".

This includes caring for livestock and plant collections.