Glenshee has the UK's largest lift system

The Glenshee Chairlift Company put the centres on the market earlier this year after losing �1m in two years.

The firm blamed the mild winter and a lack of snow in recent years for the downturn in business.

The two centres went up for sale in February, although a company spokesman said it believed skiing could continue at both Glencoe and Glenshee.

The company said then that it would do all it could to assist a successful takeover of either or both resorts.

'Preserving employment'

Directors requested the appointment of receivers this week after being advised of further delays in one of the sale negotiations

It was announced on Thursday that Blair Nimmo and Neil Armour, of KPMG Corporate Recovery, had been appointed joint receivers.

Mr Nimmo said: "It is unfortunate that, despite the directors having committed substantial efforts over recent months and involving the use of professional advisers, the company has been unable to complete the sales of any of its business units sufficiently quickly.

Receivers want to sell both centres

"Nonetheless, helped by the protection that is afforded to businesses in difficulty by the receivership process, we are hopeful of being able to complete sales of the businesses as going concerns, preserving employment and economic activity in the local area.

"We would ask any party with an interest in acquiring any of the businesses and or assets to contact the joint receivers as a matter of urgency."

The 200-hectare Glencoe resort opened in 1956, becoming Scotland's first commercial ski centre.

Its two permanent staff are supported by 15 part-time staff and up to 32 members of a volunteer weekend ski patrol team.