National Trust for Scotland suspends all events and restricts property openings due to coronavirus crisis
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SENIOR managers and trustees at the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) have decided to keep properties closed and suspend all planned events.
Today's decision to close gated properties, such as historic buildings, visitor centres, visitor facilities, cafes, shops and toilets, will take effect from Friday.
Suspension of events also applies to commercial bookings, such as weddings and some holiday lets, volunteer Thistle Camp working holidays, subject to an ongoing review.
It has not been an easy decision but a spokesman said their priority protect people – the trust's members, visitors and staff.
However, despite the closures, the trust will still be able to offer a range of places that will remain accessible and safe for visitors.
Simon Skinner, the chief executive of the NTS, said: "Although we have been closely following Scottish Government and NHS Scotland advice to ensure the safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff, as an independent charity we felt we had to go further in order to protect our people and the public.
"We sincerely regret the disappointment our decision will cause, particularly given the popularity of our Mother's Day events and Cadbury Easter Egg Trails. We know that this will be a big let-down for the many people who were looking forward to celebrating the arrival of spring at our properties after a long, hard winter – however, public safety must come first.
"In order to maintain a public service in this difficult time we will be keeping our accessible gardens, country parks and gardens open free of charge, offering a green, clean and fresh respite to enable visitors to escape isolation in a safe environment where social distancing is easy to maintain.
"While the public will desperately need the relief our properties can provide, we need them more than ever to play a part in protecting Scotland's heritage now, and for the long-term: our work to protect Scotland's national and natural treasures does not stop.
"We recognise this is an incredibly worrying time for our members and visitors, who will be concerned about family and friends, as well as having other very real considerations in the days and weeks ahead but we ask that if people are able to so, they help our charity in any way they can in this testing time.
"We are very grateful for any support that enables us to keep on preserving our buildings, protecting our wildlife, cleaning our coastlines and looking after our landscapes, even in these difficult circumstances."
The trust will also carry on with planned investment projects as well as footpath repairs and other landscape management designed to ensure public access and protect habitats.
Full refunds will be offered to anyone who bought tickets for events or made commercial bookings, although it may take some time to process these because of demand and staff being dispersed due to remote working arrangements.
The decision will be under constant review with a view to re-opening all properties as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
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