The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)

Harry named chief impact officer

- ROSS GARDINER

The Duke of Sussex has said he is “really excited” to be taking a new role at US profession­al coaching and mental health firm Betterup.

The company confirmed yesterday that Harry has been appointed chief impact officer.

Betterup was founded in 2013 and provides mobile-based profession­al coaching, counsellin­g and mentorship.

In a statement Harry said he was really excited to be joining the company and his goal as its first chief impact officer was to “lift up critical dialogues around mental health, build supportive and compassion­ate communitie­s, and foster an environmen­t for honest and vulnerable conversati­ons”.

The duke said he will be focusing on driving advocacy and awareness for mental fitness, guiding the firm’s social mission, influencin­g the vision of its platform, community and member experience, and expanding its global community.

He said: “Selfoptimi­sation is not about fixing something that’s broken. It’s about becoming the best version of ourselves, with whatever life throws at us – someone who is ready for the next challenge and can meet setbacks with courage, confidence and self-awareness.”

It is not clear what the role will involve, what hours Harry will be working or how much he will be paid.

An iconic Perthshire hotel, which was destroyed in a blaze six years ago, will be auctioned off next month.

Auction House Scotland will put the former Spittal of Glenshee Hotel under the hammer on April 6 and prospectiv­e buyers will have 48 hours to bid for the premises’ dilapidate­d remains.

In August 2014, the historic building, which was particular­ly popular with skiers, was destroyed by an inferno which 50 firefighte­rs rushed to extinguish in the early hours of the morning.

Since then, the derelict ruins have been virtually untouched and have fallen into further disrepair.

Local residents have been campaignin­g for action to be taken at the dangerous site for years.

Mount Blair Developmen­t Trust, who have been fighting to have the site tidied up, say they have received six-figure quotes for clearance work.

Almost 18 months ago, Perth and Kinross Council ruled out buying the plot of land.

The private sellers have set the minimum opening bid for the hotel at £200,000.

As well as purchasing the hotel ruins, the lot comes with approved planning permission to build a new restaurant and bar area, along with 18 holiday lodges.

The £2 million approved plan to breathe new life into the site was backed by officials at Cairngorms National Park.

The bid for holiday homes at the Spittal of Glenshee had previously been shelved after concerns it could impact on the “collective aims” of the park authority, but fresh blueprints were granted permission by Perth and Kinross Council planners.

The auctioneer­s said: “Situated in the Cairngorms National Park, on the A93 Old Military Road, is the site of the former Spittal of Glenshee Hotel.

“The site itself extends to 3.46 acres and backs onto the Shee Water. Once, the hotel was popular with tourists and as a stop-off for those travelling through the Cairngorms National Park.

“The former hotel was once a busy hotel and also a popular stop-off point for those looking for refreshmen­ts, something that has been missed on the popular tourist route since the hotel had to close.”

 ??  ?? Prince Harry.
Prince Harry.
 ??  ?? DILAPIDATE­D: The ruins of the Spittal of Glenshee Hotel – the hotel had been popular with tourists and skiers. Picture by Steve Macdougall.
DILAPIDATE­D: The ruins of the Spittal of Glenshee Hotel – the hotel had been popular with tourists and skiers. Picture by Steve Macdougall.
 ??  ?? Firefighte­rs rushed to extinguish the inferno at the hotel.
Firefighte­rs rushed to extinguish the inferno at the hotel.

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