Brodick Castle on Arran was one of the worst affected

The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) said high winds and heavy rain had damaged buildings, caused trees to collapse and torn up historic gardens.

Among the worst hit were Brodick Castle on Arran and Hutchesons' Hall in the centre of Glasgow.

The charity has launched a public appeal to help repair the damage.

NTS said about a dozen gardens in its care had succumbed to the bad weather.

Many are in very exposed and remote places where weather conditions can be very bad Lorna Stoddart National Trust for Scotland

Signature trees have been lost at Culzean Castle, Ayrshire, Inverewe Gardens, in the Highlands, Crarae Garden, Argyll and The David Livingstone Centre, Blantyre.

Hutchesons' Hall has had to be closed until further notice after the gable wall of a modern adjoining building collapsed onto it, although fortunately its stained glass windows survived.

Urgent repairs are to be carried out, but it is feared persistent bad weather may cause further deterioration.

The trust's appeal is asking for public donations of �35 to help mend the damage to its properties and gardens.

'Extraordinary events'

Lorna Stoddart, director of development said: "We do everything we can to protect the fabric of our buildings, under a planned repair programme, but many are in very exposed and remote places where weather conditions can be very bad.

"Planned maintenance protects these buildings and landscapes from many threats but not exceptional stormy weather. Extraordinary events call for extraordinary acts.

"The trust's staff are making every possible effort to ensure that these beautiful buildings and gardens are safe and that no further damage will be sustained, but such is the depth of this storm damage, we need help to achieve this."