REPAIRS to historic sites damaged in recent storms could cost more than £75,000, further stretching conservation budgets.

Last week, museums, castles and gardens were badly affected after Scotland was battered with gusts up to 90mph.

Staff at National Trust for Scotland properties have been faced with uprooted trees, damaged roofs and destroyed paths.

Mature trees, including a 50ft pine, were felled by the high winds at Inverewe Garden in Wester Ross and paths around the estate were washed away.

Trees were also brought down at the Robert Burns birthplace museum in Alloway, Ayrshire, with repairs there estimated to cost around £10,000.

Arduaine Garden in Argyll, Culzean Castle and Country Park in Ayrshire, Dollar Glen in Clackmannanshire and the Kintail estate in the Highlands have also been affected.

The National Trust for Scotland has launched an appeal to raise funds in the face of fresh warnings from the Met Office of high winds over the weekend.

Terry Levinthal, conservation director, said: "As we batten down the hatches for another battering this weekend, we're still counting the costs of last week's wild weather.

"With so many trees down, paths in need of repair and missing slates, tiles and even front porches, we are looking at a significant bill. As a charity, events like this are difficult to bear.

"Obviously, we plan to prevent damage where we can but the knock-on effect of severe weather can continue for weeks."