Aviemore job losses will be devastating, says Highland Council convener

The convener of Highland Council has said job losses on the scale being proposed by Macdonald Hotels and Resort will be devastating to the local economy.

The Bathgate-based hotel group – which owns the Aviemore Highland Resort along with Dalfaber Golf and Country Club, also in Aviemore, and Lochanhully by Carrbridge – is reportedly looking at making massive cuts in its workforce due to a fall in income because of coronavirus closures.

Consultation notices have been sent to its 2299 employees with up to 1,800 redundancies expected.

There are 164 staff in Aviemore and the Strathy understands that 106 roles are at risk.

Macdonald Hotels said it has seen a total collapse of income over the past three months brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Councillor Bill Lobban, also local member for the strath, said: "Almost our entire economy in Badenoch and Strathspey is based on tourism and businesses large and small are suffering terribly due to Covid-19.

"Losing any jobs at any time is heart-breaking but even the hint of job losses on the scale indicated by our largest employer Macdonald Hotels will be devastating not just to our economy and to those who work there.

"It is, however, important that visitors feel safe to come here but even more important that we feel safe to welcome them.”

The hotel group hopes to resume full operations mid-July following yesterday's announcement by Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing at Holyrood on re-opening tourism in Scotland.

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