'Recession-hit' trust to cut jobs

No seasonal staff will be taken on this year

The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) is to reveal how more than 100 properties it manages will be hit by planned cost-saving measures.

NTS said on Thursday it may have to cut up to 90 jobs, almost a fifth of its full-time workforce, to secure the long term viability of the trust.

NTS, which is funded through charitable donations, employs almost 500 full-time staff and 800 seasonal employees.

It said there would be changes to some loss-making properties.

In addition, there will be a recruitment freeze on new seasonal staff.

The charity said it hoped to achieve as many job cuts as possible through voluntary redundancy.

We are convinced that this is the right thing to do to secure the long term viability of the trust Kate Mavor NTS chief executive

A consultation period will begin next week.

Announcing the job losses NTS chief executive Kate Mavor said the trust has been "considerably affected" by the recession and it must make savings.

She said; "Inevitably, this includes reducing our staffing levels and doing everything we can to ensure the charity is more efficient if we are to have a sustainable future.

"Today's proposed job losses are very regrettable, but as staffing accounts for 50% of our operating expenditure, we must inevitably face the prospect of redundancies.

"Whilst we have taken some very difficult decisions, we are convinced that this is the right thing to do to secure the long term viability of the trust."

Established in 1931, NTS protects and promotes Scotland's natural and cultural heritage and owns or manages more than 130 countryside and built properties.