The move to Inverness has provoked anger

About 250 public sector workers face relocating to Inverness with the £22m transfer or accept redundancy payments.

Unions had expressed their strong opposition to the transfer from Edinburgh, but had recommended that the deal be accepted.

SNH chairman John Markland said he hoped many staff would agree to move.

The move forms part of the Scottish Executive's policy to relocate public sector jobs.

SNH's new headquarters are due to open in 2006.

Staff who accept the transfer will receive a one-off £10,000 payment and a further £10,000 for remaining in the Highlands for two years.

The ministerial decision was absolutely diabolical Marianne Sandison SNH employee

Workers who choose to stay in Edinburgh will receive a civil service redundancy payment of about £40,000.

SNH worker Marianne Sandison, 36, said she was "absolutely livid" with her employers over the transfer.

"It's a ridiculous situation," she stated. "I think the union has handled it fairly well but I think the ministerial decision was absolutely diabolical and that has been upheld by the finance committee."

She said the offer was attractive, but she would not be able to take it up because of family commitments.

'Ignored advice'

Anger at the move has seen demonstrations on the streets of Edinburgh and protests to First Minister Jack McConnell.

Staff will now be asked to accept an enhanced financial package being recommended to them by the PCS and Prospect unions, following a year of negotiations.

PCS negotiations officer Albie O'Neill said the executive would have to explain the cost to the taxpayer.

"Ministers ignored advice that could have produced similar but better results for Scotland's people at a lower cost and an organisation that will struggle to operate for the foreseeable future," he said.

We realise that for some staff, a move to Inverness is simply not feasible John Markland SNH chairman

"The cost to the taxpayer is something ministers must explain."

Mr O'Neill said there were "far better ways" to spend taxpayers' money, but suggested that the decision was taken for political reasons.

He predicted about 50 workers would take up the offer, with the rest deciding against the move due to the "complete change in lifestyle".

SNH worker Janet Taylor, 35, said she could not move from Edinburgh because of her husband's work commitments.

'Lose your job'

She said: "It seems if you move to Inverness you keep your job and get a huge lump sum. Whereas if you stay you are entitled to very little and lose your job."

However, Mr Markland said more transfers to Inverness would mean fewer redundancies.

"Any redundancy is wasteful of training, experience and morale - quite apart from the drain on taxpayer resources that we are prepared to put in, to achieve an attractive relocation package," he said.

"We realise that for some staff, a move to Inverness is simply not feasible.

"Those staff will have access to the standard redundancy terms available across the civil service, with some added options to leave early.