National Trust for Scotland has a duty to make hard-nosed financial decisions – Scotsman comment

The National Trust for Scotland’s decision to sell the island of Insh – bequeathed by its sole inhabitant for 30 years, the late David Brearley – has come in for criticism from the local MSP, Michael Russell.

Michael Russell said the National Trust for Scotland 'has always been a bit imperious in its approach and it is unfortunate to see that tendency coming to the fore again' (Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

The Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe & External Affairs told The Ferret website that he did not think a private sale was the “only answer”, expressed concerns that Brearley’s wishes for Insh to remain in a natural state were being overlooked, and accused the NTS being “a bit imperious in its approach”.

Whether or not the trust should have got more than the £353,000 reportedly paid by a company involved in holiday villas, whether the sale could have been handled differently, and whether Brearley’s wishes – apparently not conveyed formally to the NTS – have been disregarded are all questions the Scotsman does not have enough information about to offer a view.

However, as a general principle, surely we can all agree that the charity, whose mission is to protect “Scotland’s natural, built and cultural heritage”, cannot be expected to look after everything it is given.

On the issue of Insh, the trust said it was part of a wider legacy “which we are very grateful for”, but added there were “no conditions attached”. After “a careful assessment of its heritage value” and the “costs and benefits” of ownership, they decided to let the estate’s executors sell the island.

People are perfectly entitled to question specific judgements, as Russell has done in this case, and the trust should always listen to complaints, most particularly when dealing with land ownership matters that affect people’s lives and homes. But the public, in turn, should also have a degree of respect for the trust’s duty to make what are necessarily subjective judgements.

If it is to remain fit for purpose, the NTS must ensure its financial foundations are firm. If they are to continue to preserve the very best of Scotland’s heritage for future generations, then they have no choice but to make hard-nosed decisions about what they can afford to protect and what they cannot.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers – and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. Visit www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Subscribe to the Edinburgh Evening News online and enjoy unlimited access to trusted, fact-checked news and sport from Edinburgh and the Lothians. Visit www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director