A Scottish conservation charity is set to cut 19 jobs after recording a £1.9m deficit.

The John Muir Trust said in April it had put 19 jobs at risk because it was facing a “serious financial deficit”.

The charity, which is based in Pitlochry and employs 67 people, said it experienced a “significant drop” in income last year and costs were much higher in 2023 than in 2022.

The charity’s income was £2.7m and its spending was £4.6m in 2023, its latest accounts show.

“The combination of significantly lower income and considerably higher costs left a deficit of £1.9m last year,” the charity said.

“Earlier this year the trust responded by reducing costs in all areas of the business.

“Even after doing this there were insufficient reserves to support the deficit.”

The charity said it was sadly left with no option but to take the “very difficult decision” to put 19 jobs at risk of redundancy because of its financial situation.

“That process will conclude very soon and will see up to 12 members of staff move on from the trust, while others have taken up alternative positions within the trust,” the charity said.

“In addition, new appointments have been made to key roles and we have a skilled leadership team in place.”

The charity’s board of trustees recently agreed on a set of new key objectives to provide “strong alignment” with its charitable purpose.

“Through the autumn a costed delivery plan will be developed to deliver these objectives, and that will be supported by a significant fundraising programme,” the charity said.

“Our newly elected and co-opted trustees will be announced at our annual general meeting in September, and they join the board to ensure we have the skills required to oversee the conservation and recovery of wild places across the UK.

“All this means the trust is now on a stronger footing to progress its important work, to conserve and protect wild places for the benefit of present and future generations.”