SMITH WELCOMES NEW HOPE FOR HILL OF TARVIT MANSION HOUSE

3.23.11pm GMT Thu 12th Nov 2009

North East Fife MSP, Iain Smith, has welcomed the announcement that the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) are progressing plans to reopen Hill of Tarvit Mansion House.

Mr Smith has been an ardent critic of the NTS's decision to close Hill of Tarvit Mansion House pointing to the maintenance and conservation costs which must be met regardless of whether the property is open to the public and to the knock-on effect of the closure on the local tourism industry.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament during a debate on Scotland's Historic Environment, Mr Smith, who is Convener of the Parliament's influential Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, said: "I am delighted that the Chief Executive of the NTS, Kate Mavor, confirmed in a letter to my committee yesterday that the trust is trading ahead of budget this year and that plans are progressing to restore public access to Leith hall and the Hill of Tarvit Mansion House. This is indeed welcome news".