The chairman of the National Trust for Scotland will step down in just over a week after members tabled a motion of no-confidence in her. Shonaig MacPherson said her decision was made before the unprecedented revolt over the trust�s financial difficulties.

The chairman of the National Trust for Scotland will step down in just over a week after members tabled a motion of no-confidence in her.

Shonaig MacPherson said her decision was made before the unprecedented revolt over the trust's financial difficulties, which resulted in the announcement that 11 historic properties were to close and nearly 100 jobs were to be lost.

A motion tabled for the trust's annual general meeting planned for September 26 at Murrayfield Stadium was signed by 21 members who said they had "viewed with dismay the traumas" of recent months. They call for votes of no confidence first in the chairman, the board and the 90-strong council that holds the trustees to account.

The motion stated that the membership "feel less than well informed" about the management of the trust, and "are doubtful that affairs have been managed competently and properly by council and board".

Ms MacPherson said: "The board has always been aware that it has never been my intention to complete a second term of office at the trust.

"Over the next 12 months, a major review of the trust's governance structure and its future role in looking after Scotland's heritage is to be carried out.

"In terms of timing it makes sense to seek a new chair to co-incide with this review rather than later next year when the review will be almost complete."

Ms MacPherson, CBE, appointed in 2005, is a distinguished intellectual property lawyer and the former head of law firm McGrigors. She holds a number of other positions including chair of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry. The woman who has been spearheading the difficult task of getting the trust back in the black with a three-year programme to cut a £3m deficit says she announced her intention at the trust's council meeting in June.

She will remain until her replacement has been confirmed. The trust has suffered a year of organisational turmoil which has also included a decision by the board to sell the organisation's A-listed Wemyss House headquarters in Charlotte Square, Edinburgh.