Redundancy talks at hotel group the latest blow for Highland Perthshire

The news has come as a devastating blow to the Highland Perthshire economy.

The 120-year-old Macdonald Loch Rannoch Hotel is a major employer in the area.

The group’s announcement, which follows soon after job losses at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Pitlochry Hydro and the Crieff Hydro Hotel group, has sparked fears for the remote Kinloch Rannoch economy, which relies heavily on tourism.

Highland Conservative councillor John Duff said: “The news from the Macdonald Hotel Group is potentially another devastating blow for Highland Perthshire.

“If the scale of redundancies is carried through, it will have a massive impact on the area, which already struggles for employment due to its extremely rural location.

“Now that the Scottish Government has finally announced a date for hotels to reopen, I hope that some of the worst effects might be mitigated and any cuts could be minimised.”

Perth and Kinross Council has alerted the national Pace (Partnership Action for Continued Employment) team at Skills Development Scotland to contact the firm and offer career and retraining advice to staff.

SNP councillor Mike Williamson said: “This could be a big blow to the Rannoch economy.

“It is very concerning, particularly after the closure of the Rannoch Smokery last year. The effect of any job losses on a small place like Rannoch could be very bad.”

Independent councillor Xander Mcdade said that any redundancies would not only affect staff, but local businesses and services that rely on their support.

“I hope any job losses can be minimised, potentially following the news of hospitality being able to reopen from July 15,” he said.

“The council will be ready to support any live-in staff who require to be rehoused as a result of redundancy and I will do everything I can to support those affected.”

Councillor Mike Williamson.