MEMBERS of a volunteer group set up to protect and promote a celebrated botanical garden in Cardross have expressed serious concerns over its ownership at a recent general meeting.

Friends of Geilston, campaigning to keep the much-loved Geilston Garden open to the public, raised doubts over the commitment of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) to preserve the future of the traditional site.

The AGM, held at Cardross Golf Club on Tuesday, November 27, was attended by 80 people including Helensburgh and Lomond MSP Jackie Baillie.

Questions were asked of the proposed economic assessment to be carried out by the NTS and whether this was a genuine effort by the trust to support the garden.

Anger was also expressed at the lack of investment in the property or restoration of the house.

Allison Hillis, chair of the Friends of Geilston, which now has 310 active members, said she was overwhelmed by the support shown by the local community, not only throughout the previous year but at the AGM.

She added: “To have so many people turn out to an AGM shows the depth of concern about Geilston and the past stewardship of the NTS.”

An NTS spokesman said: “As those leading the Friends of Geilston will be well-aware, we have been working with them in a partnership arrangement to prepare the terms of the brief and a shortlist of providers to carry out the economic assessment.

“This process has reached the final selection stage and we expect to be in a position to make an appointment later this week.

“As for the oft-mentioned contention that ‘money was left to the Trust’ to invest in Geilston, we repeat once again that this is untrue, as only an internal provision was made by the Trust itself to cover the property’s ongoing deficit.”