The National Trust for Scotland has formally appointed George Reid, the former presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament, to lead a “robust and independent” review into its working — an approach he made plain immediately by saying the Trust’s decision-making “left a little to be desired”.

It has been a punishing year for the Trust, which has responded to a financial crisis by controversially mothballing historic properties, laying off staff and selling its prestigious Edinburgh headquarters for £8.75 million.

These moves provoked unprecedented protests from members and staff, and a motion of no confidence in the chair, Shonaig Macpherson and her board, was withdrawn only on the eve of the trust’s annual general meeting. Mr Reid said he was “ruling nothing out”. He will report each month and deliver a final verdict next June.

He said the board, the Trust’s 310,000 membership and the public had to face critical questions, including the financial obstacles facing the organisation — some of whose properties, because they are not endowed, must be maintained from central funds — in a recession.

Mr Reid said the review would be inclusive, and promised that he would soon consult In Trust for Scotland, a organisation of National Trust members who opposed the mothballing of properties. He warned of difficult decisions ahead. “There will be a moment when someone says, ‘These properties have been gifted for all time.’ Then we will have to look at the accounts and see where we stand,” he said.

The review is likely to recommend simplification of the Trust’s structure — the 90-strong council that represents members is seen as unwieldy — and expand the full-time staff at the new headquarters in west Edinburgh, to which the Trust will move in September.Mr Reid will benefit from a desire for change inside and outside the Trust.

In Trust for Scotland welcomed his appointment and urged its members to engage with his review. Ms Macpherson, who has declined a second five-year term as chair, is expected to leave by the new year and be replaced by an interim chair until Mr Reid’s final report.

Mr Reid may also recommend joint marketing and even a joint membership card with Historic Scotland, the government-funded built heritage agency.

Kate Mavor, the Trust’s chief executive, was delighted by Mr Reid’s appointment. “Difficult times are often the catalyst for positive new ideas,” she said. “I welcome the different perspectives a review will bring. I am especially pleased to know that staff and members’ contributions will play a key part.”

Mr Reid is a Privy Councillor and for the last two years has chaired the Governance Review of the Northern Ireland Assembly. His work with the Trust began on Monday, and he will work three and half days a week for the Trust for “a modest honorarium” of £45 a day.

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