THE leader of Stirling Council says his “door is open” in the National Wallace Monument row. Earlier this week The National revealed the local authority’s plan to take over the running of the 150-year-old landmark.

The council owns the site and has decided the lease held by the current operator, charity Stirling District Tourism (SDT), will not be renewed when it expires at the end of November after a review found the 25-year-old deal no longer provides best value.

Exact details of the planned transfer are not known, but a new arm’s-length external organisation (Aleo) could be formed to take charge at the Abbey Craig attraction.

The local authority has pledged to put the historic centre at the heart of the local tourism sector, but SDT claims the decision will be “detrimental to its future”.

Yesterday, Scott Farmer, leader of the SNP-Labour administration, insisted he was still willing to consider a fresh deal with SDT.

The organisation, formed by the former Stirling District Council to run the National Wallace Monument in 1995, broke the news of the leadership change in a statement expressing its “great regret” on Monday night.

The information was released before the council had planned to make it public. Farmer, an SNP councillor for Stirling West, said yesterday: “It’s disappointing that they went public at this point in time. My officers are continuing with negotiations. My door is always open.

“I hope SDT can see sense and see it’s not just about the Wallace Monument, it’s about the wider offering and how we make use of it.”

Talks between the two sides have been taking place over an 18-month period.

Sources claimed the relationship had “broken down” and accused both teams of failing to work constructively with the other.

SDT – which says it offered to pay 100% more rent – was allegedly not willing to “play ball” with council officers, while the local authority was said to have “frozen out” SDT management.

Farmer said SDT had not been “transparent enough” with officials, but said a new deal was still possible.

He said: “It has to be in terms where they meet the objectives and priorities of Stirling and that we can form a new partnership.

“At this point in time SDT are not interested in that. That is regrettable. I have had no other choice but to move forward with the preferred option.

“The monument belongs to Stirling Council. It’s an icon to the people of Stirling. I have to put the interests of the people of Stirling at the very heart of this.”

The decision comes after extensive refurbishment works at the monument, which was built thanks to public donations. Designed by Edinburgh-born architect JT Rochead, the sandstone tower cost the equivalent of £1.2 million.

There had been calls to break ground in the Glasgow area, but this was rejected in favour of a location halfway between the country’s biggest cities.

New displays featuring famous women were recently added inside, with the famous statue on the exterior undergoing important repairs.

The change of leadership is announced at a time when there are fears over the impact of coronavirus travel restrictions and Brexit effects on Scotland’s tourism and hospitality sectors.

However, Farmer said those factors will not throw the plan off course, stating: “It’s in good shape and we are in good shape.

“It’s time for a change and we are excited about the future.”