CLAIMS that an inquiry into allegations of bullying on the island of Canna was not independent have been dismissed by the National Trust for Scotland.

The trust has rejected complaints the inquiry headed up by Janette Young was not fair because she once had a consultancy role in the organisation.

Four families left the island citing the "intoler-able" manner of the NTS's island manager, Stewart Connor, as the main reason, leaving a population of 12.

However, the NTS issued a statement last week saying: "Claims of bullying and harassment made against Stewart Connor have not been upheld following an extensive independent investigation."

It went on to say the investigation was carried out by HR Routes Limited (whose founder and director is Ms Young) and had involved written submissions, phone interviews and face-to-face meetings with existing and former residents.

Duncan Spence and his family arrived on Canna in June 2011 but left in February 2012, pointing the finger at Mr Connor. Mr Spence questioned the NTS statement, highlighting the fact the "independent investigator", according to Linked In, was the interim human resource director at the NTS until May 2011.

However, Jim Whyteside, NTS's head of communications, said: "Janette took on the role of acting HR director for the trust on a temporary, consultancy basis. She was engaged in November 2009 initially as a consultant to manage an HR re-location project and, following the resignation of the preceding HR director, provided coverage for the role until the appointment of George Wilson in 2010."

He said in that period Ms Young had no involvement in Canna and her report was compiled independently of the NTS's management team. "Her independ- ence is further guaranteed by her being bound on a professional basis by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's code of conduct. Any claims the investigation is somehow compromised are wholly predictable and also wholly wrong."

Ms Young declined to comment.