Historic laws that prevent the National Trust for Scotland selling off its most treasured properties could be scrapped to secure the financial stability of the charity, The Scotsman has learned.

In today’s paper, Kate Mavor says that although the remit of the (forthcoming governance) review had not yet been set, it was likely to look at whether the “inalienability” laws should be revoked. This is something that would require an act of parliament.

Bill Fraser, from campaign group In Trust for Scotland, said: “This would put some of the nation’s most treasured properties and attractions at risk. We would regard a radical change like that as extremely worrying.”

Alan Denney, Scottish national secretary for the union Prospect, which represents most staff at the trust, said it would be a “landslide issue” if the inalienability laws were scrapped.

On Radio 4 today, the criticism from ITFS  that the Trust management ruled without involving others was put to Kate Mavor.

“We have a Board which runs the organisation… and that Board takes decisions on information that comes from our staff and the people who visit our properties”, said Ms Mavor in the World at One.

Council members might ask themselves where they fit in this scenario? Perhaps one for George Reid?

BBC Radio 4 – World at One 25 September

In interviews today on Radio 4 and Radio Scotland, Kate Mavor once again characterised protestors as ‘misinformed’.

Apparently, her “true friends” are the 5,000 new members who have joined recently and those of us who protest have cost the Trust £40,000.

If you are one of these new members and you joined to show your disappointment at the way the NTS has done business to date, please say so at tomorrow’s AGM or write Ms Mavor. If you feel that £40,000 has been wasted – you can also tell us or the NTS.

Listen for yourself

Scotland Live