The National Trust for Scotland is failing to conserve its once-proud heritage
Many readers may not know that the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) is undergoing a draconian root and branch restructuring.
Although I cannot comment in detail on what is happening in the rest of Scotland, I do know the NTS estate in Dumfries and Galloway well. What is happening in this region is so appalling that my wife and I have resigned our memberships.
Sadly, although a membership charity, it seems that the new ethos is that every part of the Trust must be a direct profit centre.
However, by the very nature of the Trust’s land assets this is clearly impossible, which is why there is a membership subscription. This funds parts of the Trust that cannot make a direct profit by a charge for use, for example where there is free public access on estate lands, all of which were given in trust by the benefactors for that very purpose.
In fact the NTS Region’s briefing document states that: “Unfortunately we cannot afford to carry on with our natural heritage operations as they are currently organised. Neither do the functions and activities delivered by the Rangers Team match those we need at present or in the foreseeable future.”
The NTS’S response to what they perceive as a non-profit centre seems to be that volunteers (unqualified and inexperienced) can do the same job as qualified and experienced staff. So the region’s NTS Ranger Service, which has been responsible for thousands of acres that include an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and a Ramsar site with a tremendous range of fauna and flora, has in effect been disbanded.
Full-time Rangers jobs are made redundant, when clearly their workload is not redundant. Over the last 25 years the NTS Rangers have worked to great effect to maintain and enhance this amazing landscape for the benefit of both wildlife and the public.
These dedicated and highly qualified, experienced conservation staff, some with over 20 years of loyal service, have been given very little notice to go and NTS will get their tied cottages back. They have lost both the jobs they love and their homes. We have lost their dedication and expertise.
At Threave Gardens Visitor Centre, with a reduction in full-time staff and many seasonal workers not being asked to return, it appears that a skeleton frontline staff will be expected to cope with the same workload as last year, and often in a lone working and very busy environment.
In the way of the world today, although frontline staff are noticeably reduced, it appears there is to be an increase in managers’ posts, which is not one of the reasons members financially support the Trust.
The NTS says that all the changes are being made to provide a world-class visitor experience, but the result will likely be just the opposite. Frontline staff who are overworked and under stress cannot provide that experience.
Also, these attractions cannot survive on tourism alone as much of the income comes from the local population. Upsetting local stakeholders will result in a decrease in membership, volunteers and visitor numbers.
The abandonment of the nature conservation role in this region goes against the wishes of all the benefactors who donated the land and what the NTS once stood for.
GEOFF MARTIN
Colvend, Dumfries and Galloway