Furious customers have slammed scrooge charity bosses for denying low-paid staff of their tips.
The National Trust have replaced the tips jar with a charity donations box at The Robert Burns Museum in Alloway.
Despite their low wage, café staff have been told they are now to decline any extra cash and instead direct punters to the Trust’s box.
An angry customer, who asked to remain unnamed, told the Post: “My husband and I have enjoyed the café for many years, but recently National Trust management have removed the little jar for tips from the till area and replaced it with a box for donations.
“The tip jar was put out of sight under the counter and the staff always seemed grateful for the odd 50p I handed them.
“To take that away from them just seems like a total antithesis of Christmas to me.”
The café sells freshly made hot food, snacks, soup and homebaking.
Situated in the main museum building, the eatery can hold around several covers and can become extremely busy at peak time.
Punters from around the globe visit the museum every year – and staff are always keen to make a good impression.
The customer added: “It was obvious to me that the crowds of Canadian, American and other tourists who were struggling to carry their food trays and deal with change thought they were rewarding the staff.
“Last week, we visited and I attempted to tip the staff member who served us.
“But she wouldn’t take it saying that they were no longer allowed to accept tips and I was directed to the NTS box – I declined to donate.
"There are plenty of other boxes for NTS donations throughout the museum.
“The hard-working staff are lovely in there – and the scones are delicious.”
A National Trust of Scotland spokesman said: “The team at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum provide great service and we do appreciate that regular visitors would like to recognise this.
"As a charity, the Trust would prefer that visitors do so by making a donation, hence the introduction of the donation box.
“The Trust and our trade union Prospect are working together to create a policy and guidance around tipping. At the moment, the current approach is agreed by Prospect.”
“All donations, of course, support the work of the Trust in protecting the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and Scotland’s other special places.”
