REGARDING the recent letter criticising Tam O'Shanter urban farm.

Firstly, we can only apologise for your disappointment for visiting the farm during the short period of time it was closed for maintenance.

These things are unavoidable sadly and we were unable to advise you in advance.

We at Tam O'Shanter Urban Farm Trust are aware that standards have appeared to have fallen in recent months as we have needed to use an ever-dwindling pot of money to care for the animals on site and ensure safety standards have been maintained for visiting members of the public, and we have been unable to attend to some of the aesthetics.

This is a situation facing all third sector organisations at a time when people are depending on us more and more.

We can assure you however that we have spent considerable time in recent weeks looking at the best and most cost effective way of returning the farm to its former glory and we will be shortly launching a campaign to make 2019 "The Year of the Farm."

With a staunch group of supporters and volunteers on board, we believe this will be achievable and we ask that you watch this space for future announcements.

We can absolutely promise that there is no intention at all of closing this much loved facility and we hope that you, your grandchildren and many generations to come will continue to enjoy everything the farm has to offer, both now, and as we enter a new phase in its development.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that Tam O' Shanter Farm is not financed or run by the council, that is why the trust is very dependent on donations and volunteers.

Bruce Berry, secretary, Tam O'Shanter Cottage Urban Farm Trust