Jamie Moffat said the trust would give away �3m a year to charity

The Moffat family, from Ayrshire, said they hoped the donation would benefit causes across Scotland.

The money will be distributed by the Moffat Charitable Trust, established following the death of AT Mays travel agent founder Jim Moffat in 1998.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers in Scotland will be the first cause to benefit from the money, receiving a �1m donation.

Trust chairman Jamie Moffat said it aimed to give more than �3m to charitable causes every year.

He said: "My father included a major legacy within his will in order to give something back to the community in which he lived and worked.

"My mother wants to develop that commitment by making a significant donation to the Moffat Charitable Trust and to see the benefits of that donation to others in her lifetime."

Scottish tradition

The Princess Royal Trust will use the �1m donation to establish a two-year pilot project across four health board areas in Scotland.

The aim is to identify carers at the earliest possible stage and ensure they have information and advice about local services and support.

Ruth Clark, assistant director of the charity, said: "The Moffat family is following a great Scottish tradition of philanthropy which is reminiscent of Andrew Carnegie at the beginning of the last century.

"Their exceptional generosity will enable us to establish a hospital discharge package which will have far-reaching benefits for carers and for the NHS in Scotland."

AT Mays had its beginnings in Saltcoats in the 1950s and first appeared on the high street as All Travel.

The company grew to become the third largest travel agent group in the UK, employing more than 2,500 people.