IN good time for Christmas, the National Trust for Scotland has launched a fairytale-themed appeal to raise funds, but the message could not be more down to earth. In a letter to supporters, the new chief executive of the trust, Simon Skinner, says a lot more money will have to be raised to secure the long-term future of Scotland's heritage. "It is incredibly hard work," he says, "and takes a lot of time, effort and commitment – and funds."
The good news for Mr Skinner as he starts the fund-raising drive is that the trust is in a much better financial position than it was. Six years ago, when Mr Skinner's predecessor Kate Mavor became chief executive, the organisation was on the edge of financial failure. The charity's reserves were empty and 11 of its properties were threatened with closure.
Ms Mavor went on to tackle the problems courageously and creatively. The management of the trust was reorganised, reserves were built up again, and large parts of the organisation were made more efficient and profitable – all without having to make the drastic cuts to the property list that had been threatened, although sadly 40 full-time jobs were lost.
Mr Skinner clearly recognises the job is not over and a focus on fund-raising is the right priority for now. Before the reforms, the trust was trying to do too much with an insufficient focus on raising the money to do it, and that cannot be allowed to happen again.
However, in the longer term, Mr Skinner should consider some more reforms to continue the modernisation of a much-loved organisation. Shared ownership, with local communities or other heritage organisations, is worth exploring, but so too is expanding the list of properties to include more surprising choices, such as 20th century buildings that reflect the lives of ordinary Scots.
This Christmas, the National Trust for Scotland is raising much-needed funds; the longer term aim must be to continue the process of making the trust less remote, more responsive and more progressive.
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