Coronavirus statement

Statement from our Chief Executive, David Balharry

As I write, a global pandemic spreads rapidly, threatening lives and disrupting the whole of society. My priorities are, firstly, to ensure the health, safety and long-term welfare of our team; and, secondly, to set up new systems that will allow our work to continue to the best of our ability.

We know that Trust members and supporters will act responsibly by looking after themselves and their families, and by following government advice to take whatever steps are necessary to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.

The UK has been put into lockdown to combat the spread of the coronavirus. These are extraordinarily anxious times, which are having a severe impact on all our lives. As a socially responsible environmental NGO, we have implemented government guidelines from the start of this crisis to protect our staff, volunteers and the communities in which they live and work.

From mid- March onwards, we have introduced the following measures, which will remain in place until further notice.

• Arranged for staff to work at home.
• Suspended all field work involving staff, contractors and volunteers.
• Suspended face-to-to face meetings in favour of phone and online discussions.
• Closed the Wild Space visitor centre in Pitlochry.
• Closed the Pitlochry and Edinburgh Leith offices.
• Suspended public access to all toilet and car parking facilities managed by the Trust.
• Cancelled the annual Members’ Gathering in Innerleithen, scheduled for 5-6 June.

We are exploring arrangements for our AGM to be held online via video link.

Like every other organisation and individual, we are entering unknown territory. We will continue the work of the Trust, but the steps we are taking to play our part in the fight to stop the rapid spread of coronavirus inevitably mean a temporary scaling down of our work. Our staff are still available and best contacted via email in the first instance.

Finally, we thank all our members and supporters for their continuing support of our work, morally and financially if not physically at this time, and wish you all the very best during this difficult period.

Read the latest on the Trust's response to Covid-19 on our Coronavirus update page.

Photo above, shows David (with his camera) visiting Quinag's new interpretation in early March - before the lockdown