THE future of Helensburgh's most famous building, and most popular visitor attraction, has been thrown into uncertainty because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS), which owns the Hill House, announced on Tuesday that 429 staff – almost 60 per cent of its total workforce – were at risk of redundancy as a result of the crisis, which has left the charity facing a £28 million loss.
The conservation charity has launched a "radical" series of emergency actions designed to ensure its survival and to protect the "birthright of generations yet to come".
As well as placing 429 staff in its permanent workforce at risk of redundancy, it will approach grant-giving bodies and the Scottish Government for financial support and seek to sell non-heritage land and property.
The Trust recently spent £3.2 million on erecting a protective 'box' around the Hill House, in a bid to shield it from the effects of the rain and sea air while a long-term conservation strategy is sought for the building.
The Hill House's' 'Box' was recently shortlisted for the prestigious RIAS (Roayl Incorporation of Architects in Scotland) award for 2020, while the shop at the property's visitor centre was named the best in the UK in March by the Association for Cultural Enterprises.
READ MORE: Hill House's £3.2m 'box' in running for top Scottish architecture award
In addition to the Hill House, the NTS also owns Geilston Garden in Cardross, whose future has been in doubt since 2017 amid falling visitor numbers.
The trust said its income has been virtually eradicated during what is normally the busiest period for membership recruitment and property visits.
Its estate and holiday accommodation has been closed since March to comply with lockdown restrictions.
NTS said its income from all sources is forecast to collapse by £28 million this year and to fall again in 2021 even if current restrictions are relaxed, while this does not include estimated investment losses of £46 million due to stock market conditions.
Its chief executive, Simon Skinner said: "The extreme and unprecedented public health emergency has put the charity's future in doubt.
"This is despite us running the trust in a financially prudent way, building up our reserves and latterly taking critical decisions at the outset of this crisis, reducing our expenditure to a minimum, foregoing the recruitment of seasonal staff, terminating temporary and fixed-term contracts and furloughing a large proportion of our permanent staff.
"With some level of restrictions likely to apply post-lockdown and having effectively missed the busiest part of the visitor season, I see little prospect of us being able to return to more normal levels of membership, visitation and income for the rest of this year and beyond.
"Even after we've done all we can to stave off the worst, it's crystal clear that we need radical action if we are to buy more time that will give the trust space to overcome income loss and weather depressed economic conditions."
He said that as well as the 429 posts mentioned, a further review of back office functions is under way, meaning more posts could be at risk.
Staff were told the news on Monday and the NTS is opening a formal consultation with trade union Prospect.
READ MORE: Geilston Garden reprieve welcomed – but Friends remain concerned for the future
Mr Skinner said although there are support schemes in place for charities and businesses, NTS either does not qualify for them or the scale of support is too limited.
The trust, which currently has 751 employees, plans to scale back its offering based on the possibility of a staged reopening of 27 key properties this year on a limited basis.
The remainder will be placed on a "care and maintenance basis", with the aim of opening a further 18 sometime next year, and the rest once there is a general upturn in the economy and the trust's fortunes.
Mr Skinner said: "Some people may not care that a charity is in trouble or see heritage as having little importance just now - but if the trust goes down then what will be lost will impoverish Scotland forever.
"The birthright of generations yet to come may be denied to them if this generation doesn't do what's needed to save it.
READ MORE: Geilston Garden saved for 2020 as Trust plans to explore 'enabling options'
"That's why we've been forced into taking such painful decisions in the middle of a situation that's not of our making."
David Avery, Prospect negotiator, said: "This is a huge blow to workers at National Trust Scotland who will be extremely worried about their futures.
"Prospect has received a detailed document from NTS and are studying it closely. We were only briefed on this development yesterday (Monday) afternoon and will discuss it with members over the coming days.
"We will do all we can to support members and argue strongly for the retention of jobs.
"Prospect will be raising this issue with the Scottish Government as a matter of urgency.
READ MORE: NTS launches urgent funds appeal to help save 'jewel in Helensburgh's crown'
"We are working with our members to see what steps can be feasibly taken at governmental level to support Scotland's cultural and tourism sectors.
"NTS has custodianship of many of Scotland's iconic landscapes and locations which are key to rebuilding and recovering our economic and cultural life, they can't do that if they are closed."
Scotland's economy secretary Fiona Hyslop said she would be talking to NTS about the organisation's difficulties.
READ MORE: Catch up with all the latest news from around Helensburgh and Lomond here
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here