A POPULAR visitor attraction near Helensburgh has announced it will reopen to the public next month.

Geilston Garden in Cardross has been shut since last autumn after lockdown restrictions were introduced just before the start of the 2020 visitor season.

But following the easing of lockdown limits, announced earlier this week by Nicola Sturgeon, Geilston, which is owned by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), will reopen on Monday, July 6.

READ MORE: 'Cautious optimism' for future of popular Geilston Garden visitor attraction

The First Minister announced a series of indicative dates for further Phase 2 measures in the country's route map out of lockdown on Tuesday, along with dates for when early Phase 3 measures will come into effect if scientific and health advice permits.

A post on the Geilston Garden Facebook page states: "We are delighted to announce that we will be reopening Geilston Garden from 6th July 2020.

"The garden will be open from Thursday-Monday 10am-5pm with last entry to the garden at 4pm.

READ MORE: Supporters group donates cash to help secure Geilston Garden's future

"We can’t wait to welcome our local visitors back to our beautiful garden - we’ve missed you!"

Geilston has been facing an uncertain future for several years amid concern within the NTS at low visitor numbers and falling revenue.

But a group of local supporters, the Friends of Geilston, have teamed up with the NTS to organise a range of events aimed at attracting more visitors to the garden.

The NTS announced last month that more than half of its workforce – including three of its five employees at Geilston Garden, and 19 of the 26 staff who work at the Hill House in Helensburgh – had been told they could be made redundant as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

READ MORE: More than 20 jobs at risk at Hill House and Geilston Garden as NTS tells more than half its staff they could be made redundant

The charity said it was facing the prospect of a £28 million drop in revenue at its visitor attractions across the country.

There has been no firm announcement on the reopening of the Hill House, though Ms Sturgeon said in her statement on Tuesday that museums, galleries, cinemas, monuments and libraries would be allowed to reopen, subject to the virus remaining under control, from July 15, with physical distancing and other measures such as ticketing in advance in place.