Central Scotland MSP Christina McKelvie, who earlier this year was closely involved in the successful campaign to save the National Trust for Scotland-managed David Livingstone Centre in Blantyre from closure, has commented on the announcement today of the resignation of Shonaig MacPherson as chair of the National Trust for Scotland, following a motion of no confidence tabled by Trust members. Ms McKelvie said:

“Shonaig MacPherson has done the right thing in stepping down. This motion of no confidence can hardly have come as a surprise to her after National Trust for Scotland members mobilised in an unprecedented way to oppose the programme of property closures and staff redundancies that Ms MacPherson wanted push through.

“I welcome the fact that the National Trust for Scotland has said that it will act quickly to replace Ms MacPherson. New leadership is clearly required to bring a fresh start for NTS, redress the legacy of mismanagement which led to the current crisis and restore the confidence of Trust members.

“The David Livingstone Centre was saved, but other properties remain under threat. I hope that the Trust’s new chair will seek to work with all those who care about Scotland’s heritage to find a way to save these treasures for the nation.”