The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has confirmed its plans to cut costs, putting an end to the past few months of media speculation over planned job losses and property closures.

The organisation will be making 44 compulsory redundancies and 21 voluntary redundancies; somewhat less than the 91 job losses anticipated in March.

Despite rumours that Kellie Castle in Fife and Hugh Miller Museum in Cromarty would close, the two historic properties are to remain open for the foreseeable future, while Arduaine Garden in Argyll will remain open for a year while an endowment is raised.

The NTS has confirmed, however, that Hutchesons' Hall in Glasgow, Leith Hall in Aberdeenshire, the Hill of Tarvit Mansion House in Fife and the Visitor Centre at Ben Lawers will shut. A decision on the futures of the David Livingstone Centre in Blantyre, Barry Mill in Angus and Inveresk Lodge Garden in East Lothian will depend on the possibility of external funding being raised. If the NTS decides to close the three properties, a further 16 seasonal posts may be lost.

Chief executive Kate Mavor said: "The trust is now in a more financially secure position to forge ahead. Our primary concern is the protection of Scotland's heritage for future generations.

"We have done the right thing to safeguard our 130 properties and allow us to focus on our world-class conservation work. We have seen the power of local support for our properties and hope that many more people will come forward to visit our properties, join the membership and contribute to our appeals to support Scotland's treasures."

Image: Hill of Tarvit Mansion House in Fife is to close