The National Trust for Scotland confirmed yesterday that major job cuts are in the offing as part of a wide review.

Almost one in six of the conservation charity's 500 staff could go in an effort to make savings of about £3m.

The aim of the review being conducted by recently recruited chief executive Mark Adderley, a former Scottish Water director of human resources, is to ensure the trust has a more sustainable future.

But it is estimated between 60 and 80 jobs will be lost, as staff costs represent half of its spending.

Rising costs and poor visitor figures have been blamed for the financial losses incurred by the trust in recent years.

A spokesman said: "The trust has begun consultation on the reorganisation but cannot provide an exact number likely to be affected. We have indicated to staff the overall number is likely to be 60 to 80.

"With the review being at an early stage, it is not possible for us to provide any further details but we will make more information available at the earliest opportunity.

"Meanwhile, the properties across the country are open for everyone to enjoy. One of the best ways for people to help the trust to continue its conservation work is by joining as a member and visiting our gardens, houses, castles and countryside."

As Scotland's largest conservation charity, the trust protects and promotes the country's natural and cultural heritage.

It has guardianship of more than 125 sites, including mountains, battlefields and properties such as Pollok House in Glasgow, Falkland Palace in Fife and Abbotsford House, the home of Sir Walter Scott, in the Borders.

But the trust has experienced difficult times lately and figures for 2005-06 revealed an annual loss of £1.2m.

Visitor numbers also dropped by 11,000 although membership grew to nearly 300,000.

The trust's share of the visitor market for the year was put at just 3.17% with almost half of its properties receiving fewer than 10,000 visitors.

There are fears that some of the rented properties safeguarded by the charity will have to be sold off, while staff are worried about compulsory redundancies.

One of Scotland's leading conservationists sympathised with the trust's plight.

Dr Richard Dixon, director of WWF Scotland, said: "It is an organisation that has a lot of property, which costs a lot of money to look after.

In a changing world it is going to have to change and occasionally there will be painful moments when it has not managed to catch up."

Dr Susan Buckham, director of the Architectural Society of Scotland, said: "The trust plays a crucial role as guardian of Scotland's heritage and property in its care, which includes some of the finest architecture and landscapes in Scotland."

She said she would be concerned if it was not able to continue its job.

Robin Pellew, former chief executive of the National Trust, warned on his departure last year that the trust was "well behind budget" and "some very tough decisions" would have to be made.