Cash-strapped Trust 'could merge'

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The National Trust for Scotland could help resolve its financial problems by merging with the trust in England, said the man tasked with reviewing the body.

George Reid did not endorse the move, but he said action was needed to address issues at the trust, which was "over-governed and under-directed".

The conservation charity sparked protest after cutting 65 jobs and mothballing properties to save cash.

Mr Reid was called in by the trust to look at its long-term future.

The National Trust for Scotland plays a crucial role in protecting and promoting cultural heritage and oversees more than 100 sites, including Culloden Battlefield and the islands of St Kilda, a world heritage site.

But it was forced to embark on a major cost-cutting programme after being hit hard by the recession and falling visitor numbers.

I'm not particularly interested in fluffy concordats, I'm interested in real business George Reid

Mr Reid, the Scottish Parliament's former presiding officer, said his review was concentrating on the trust's core functions, looking at its "grossly over-inflated" governance structure, finding ways of working better with other organisations and "treating the staff rather better".

He told BBC Scotland's Politics Show: "The trust is not going to go bust - it will manage somehow - but it's not sustainable in the long term because it's selling off property, raiding the piggy bank to balance the books each year."

He went on: "At the end of the day, it's not a National Trust issue, it's a Scottish issue, because it's our land, it's our built and cultural heritage that gives all Scots a sense of place, time and identity."

Mr Reid said the trust's priority was to boost its finances to half of what they should be in the next two or three years - the organisation's cash reserves, which should be at about £17m, stand at £4m.

And the former SNP MSP, who played a key role in addressing the spiralling costs of the Scottish Parliament building project, said the trust could work more closely with the conservation agency Historic Scotland in areas such as joint membership - but he ruled out a merger.

Former Holyrood presiding officer George Reid is charing the review

"I very much hope Fiona Hyslop, who's the government minister responsible, will look at this in a very hard way," said Mr Reid.

"I'm not particularly interested in fluffy concordats, I'm interested in real business because, at the end of the day, there is one very quick way to solve the National Trust's problems, and that is to look at merger with the National Trust south of the border.

"I reckon that would save about £8m - but that would be a very curious way for a devolved Scotland to go, would it not?"

Mr Reid also pointed out the trust had 189 people involved in governing it, and almost 100 people on its council.

"It's turning over £39m a year - can you think of any organisation anywhere turning over £39m that needs almost 200 people involved in its governance?

"There have been very real tensions between the council, the supreme body, and the executive board. The trust is probably over-governed and under-directed."

The trust's chief executive and president have both welcomed Mr Reid's agreement to carrying out the independent review.