SCOTLAND'S leading conservation charity should shout louder on heritage issues according to a survey of members.

Eighty four per cent of respondents said the National Trust for Scotland, which has 320,000 members and cares for more than 100 sites of built, cultural and natural heritage, should be a more "active advocate for heritage and conservation".

Other options supported were making trust properties "community hubs" (87%) and taking its collections and artefacts on tour (71%).

Almost 1000 people, mainly trust members, took part in the online poll held ahead of its annual meeting today which asked about the future focus of the organisation.

The findings will be presented to the meetingas work begins to set out its new five-year strategy.

The NTS, the country's third-largest landowner, with 190,000 acres of properties from Glencoe to the Mar Estate is reviewing its role and has already been told to give more control to local communities.

It also owns the island of Canna and its houses, where there has been difficulty in keeping new residents who have gone to the island to build a new life.

Among the topics on the agenda are plans for a more co-ordinated approach to managing key heritage sites and responses to calls to improve links between the trust and local communities.