The National Trust For Scotland, the nation`s largest conservation charity, wants to install solar panels and other renewable energy sources in some of the country`s most historic buildings.

With its energy bills hovering at 8% of its outgoings - 2% off the fuel poverty mark - the NTS said it is being forced to look at less traditional power sources.

The trust`s annual review for 2007-2008 revealed it is in deficit, with chiefs blaming the rising cost of fuel and building materials and the credit crunch wiping £12 million off their funds.

NTS`s conservation head said installing alternative energy sources will be a "big, big" topic over the next few years.

"Every pound we save on fuel we can spend on conservation, which is a pound better spent in my view," said Andrew Bachell. "This is a chance for us to demonstrate that old buildings can be energy efficient and lead by example. But we`re at very early days with this at the moment."

When asked if putting solar panels on the roofs of their historic buildings - which include Robert Adam`s Culzean Castle or Charles Rennie Mackintosh`s Hill House - was under consideration, he said: "We might, but only with the full consensus of the local authorities and Historic Scotland and in a way that doesn`t detract from its status."

He added: "A lot of the grand buildings have back roofs that nobody sees and I think the conservation world is learning to live with these changes."

The Trust`s recent new-build projects use green energy sources. The visitor centres at Culloden and Glencoe use wood-chip burners for heat, as will the planned Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway.

NTS chairwoman Shonaig Macpherson said their job was not just to preserve properties, but to make them fit for the 21st century.
www.scottisharchitecture.com/news/read/New+weapon+in+bid+to+preserve+historic+buildings