Central Scotland SNP MSP, Christina McKelvie, has secured a guarantee from Scottish Government Culture Minister Michael Russell that he will not only raise concerns over the future of the David Livingstone Centre directly with National Trust for Scotland chiefs, but also that he will personally visit the threatened Centre to find out for himself about the crisis caused by the National Trust for Scotland’s decision to withdraw from the Centre’s management unless a £100,000 deficit can be paid off.

Ms McKelvie said today:

“I have been in talks with the Minister’s office to make sure that he is aware of the potential threat to the future of the David Livingstone Centre. Mr Russell responded very promptly and has told me that he is taking the matter very seriously. He already has imminent discussions scheduled with the National Trust for Scotland and he has assured me that the future of the David Livingstone Centre will now be very much on the agenda for that meeting.

“What’s more, the Minister has offered to personally accompany me in a visit to the Centre as soon as his diary allows. His office is working to find a suitable date which I expect to be able to confirm shortly.

“I am hopeful that a satisfactory solution to this crisis can be found quickly and the future of this enormously important local and national resource safely secured.”