SCOTTISH academics have attacked their own national union for holding annual conferences at luxury venues.

Members of UCU Scotland, which represents lecturers and researchers working in higher education, said the event should be held in public-sector facilities.

The 2013 congress starts tomorrow at Crutherland House – a four-star manor house in East Kilbride, dating back to 1705.

The website of the hotel, which is offering the union a £90 per delegate bed-and-breakfast deal, states: "Savour a fabulous weekend break and enjoy delicious food in our award-winning restaurant, pamper yourself with a spa treatment and enjoy the four-star luxury on offer."

Previous annual meetings have been held at Ardoe House Hotel and Spa, a 19th-century mansion house "set in 30 acres of tranquil countryside" near Aberdeen.

In 2008, the UCU Scotland congress was at Airth Castle Hotel and Spa, in Stirlingshire –which dates back to the 14th century and was once owned by the family of Robert the Bruce,

The union, which has 7000 members, has also held conferences in the Dundee Hilton and Edinburgh Park Novotel.

A motion to this week's annual congress from the Dundee branch states: "There are many university, local authority and non-profit organisations in Scotland with adequate and accessible conference facilities. UCU Scotland should encourage the use of public sector facilities for future conferences."

However, the union has defended the policy, arguing it is more cost effective to book conference facilities, hotel bedrooms and dinner at one establishment rather than paying for all three separately.

A spokesman said: "We, like other unions, companies or organisations that host conferences and events, search around to secure hotels that offer discounted deals and can provide all the things we need – such as accommodation, meeting rooms and rooms of suitable size to hold large meetings."

Meanwhile, a motion from the Glasgow Caledonian University branch of the UCU has called for a campaign to end the exploitation of female students through online dating websites.

Earlier this year, it emerged a US-based site was targeting female students who, it claimed, could receive as much as £5000 a month from rich men looking for partners.

The UCU motion says: "Congress believes arrangements such as this are an example of sexual exploitation of students and asks the executive to approach university management in order to further a joint campaign against the sexual exploitation of students."

The conference will also hear concerns about a code of conduct for universities that is being drawn up by a group led by former university chairs of court. UCU Scotland argues the group does not reflect the views of staff and students.