Trust addresses its priorities at Inverewe Garden

The National Trust for Scotland charity held a public meeting at its Inverewe Garden property on Monday 9 June to listen to local opinion about access issues to the Garden.

Attended by over 100 people in the Wester Ross community around Poolewe, local concern focussed on access to the Garden in the evening and the issuing of free passes to residents living in the Wester Loch Ewe area.

As regards the local passes the Trust has deferred a decision for six months, to allow the gathering of information on the exact number of Wester Loch Ewe free passes there are in circulation and exactly how frequently they are used.

This would allow the Trust to look at any potential charges for such passes that might be introduced in the future, to cover the costs of administration and to ensure the charity is treated fairly.

The Trust confirmed its decision to maintain the extended summer opening time of the visitors centre and retail shop until 1800 and has decided that it will allow the previous practice of evening entry with an honesty box for donations to remain for a one month period. This offers the Trust time to explore all practical options to allow later admission to the Garden, whilst protecting the charity’s overall income at the property.

Mark Adderley, Chief Executive of the Trust said:

“This is likely to be either through visitors entry being registered by a turnstyle or having volunteers to operate a gate. But regardless of what changes we introduce in the future, visitors can still continue to leave the Garden at their leisure through an exit-only gate and our existing winter access in daylight hours won’t change.”

The Trust will continue to look at ways to bring in additional income through other means, including a fresh look at events and a wider range of marketing initiatives for the retail shop and property in general and also consideration over the future use of Inverewe House.

At its peak 15 years ago, Inverewe Garden welcomed 133,000 visitors but last year this had dropped to 77,000 and further UK-wide economic pressure is making it increasingly difficult for individual Trust properties, such as Inverewe Garden, to keep income in line with expenditure.

Mark Adderley added:

“We are first and foremost a charity and rely on membership for a large part of our income. There are considerable pressures on our finances and at Inverewe, like all our 129 properties, we simply have to look at ways to protect our revenue. But we will do so in a way that helps keep Inverewe Garden as open as we possibly can, for our members, visitors and the local community.

“The reality is we need our local supporters to come forward and volunteer to help us administer later entrance and we are appealing to all those interested to contact us to help make this a reality.

“It’s a two way thing, as the future success of Inverewe Garden is important not just to the Trust but also to the local community, as it is an important tourist attraction for the area. So the Garden needs the community and the community needs the Garden.”

The Trust will work with the local community to help establish a Friends of Inverewe Garden group to improve local communications and relations. Such a group would help ensure that everybody plays a part in improving the financial health of the property and the community, to provide a world class amenity for everyone to enjoy.