Lives and livelihoods in the balance

The futures of so many businesses hang on extraordinarily fine margins as the lockdown continues to ravage the nation’s economy. Just how slender are the prospects of being able to survive the pandemic is starkly illustrated in the latest desperate plea from tourism bosses.

Two months might in more normal times usually appear a short period, but to those struggling to keep afloat it looks like an eternity right now.

All concerned of course recognise – and respect – the need for all decisions about how we come out of lockdown to be taken with the utmost care.

The first priority must be the immediate protection of public health and the stemming of the awful human toll of this outbreak.

But where that allows room for manoeuvre, the safeguarding of key parts of the economy must dictate how we proceed.

And few industries are more crucial to a geographical area than tourism to the north of Scotland.

So the voices of those who sustain many thousands of jobs across the region must be heard, loud and clear.

Missing out on a summer holiday may be a bearable price to pay for individuals asked to stay at home.

For all those who were planning to welcome them it would be a nightmare.

“Few industries are more crucial to a geographical area than tourism to the north of Scotland”