SMITH AND CAMPBELL PRESS GOVERNMENT FOR NTS SUPPORT

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 1st Apr 2009

North East Fife's MSP Iain Smith and MP Sir Menzies have called on both the Scottish Government and Fife Council to look into what assistance they can give the National Trust for Scotland to help with their current financial difficulties, which may force the closure of Kellie Castle and Hill of Tarvit.

Iain Smith said:

"These properties are both important in their own right as well as housing important collections that should be available to the public. They are also vital parts of North East Fife's tourist industry, and their closure would be a blow to local tourism in what is likely to be a difficult year. It would also be unfortunate to see such properties closed to the public in the year of Homecoming.

"We are therefore anxious to establish what the Scottish Government and Fife Council can give to prevent the need for these NTS properties to close to the public this year while they develop proposals to address their long-term operating deficit.

"I have written on behalf of Sir Menzies and myself to the Scottish Government and Fife Council seeking their assistance."

Sir Menzies said:

"Iain Smith and I recently met the Chair of the NTS, Shonaig Macpherson to discuss the proposed closures here in North East Fife and to look for a way to avoid them. It is clear that the National Trust for Scotland needs some short term financial support to help them keep properties open to the public, while they restructure their business to tackle the structural deficit in their operation."

ENDS