Page 85 - Scott Wright News Today

Pilot killed in fall from hot air balloon in Vermont, 4 passengers uninjured Travis Andersen © Facebook Brian Boland, 72, died in a hot air balloon accident Thursday. Authorities said he became trapped under the basket and fell to his death. For much of his adult life, Brian J. Boland was devoted to hot air ballooning, building his own craft as far back as his college days, sponsoring a festival that drew people from all over, and piloting countless groups in trips high above...

A UK Government minister has rubbished fears raised by Scottish industries over workforce pressures caused by the end of free movement rules from EU countries. Home Office minister Kevin Foster hit back at Scottish Government claims that hospitality, agriculture and social care sectors are facing soaring vacancies due to a lack of EU workers being able to take up positions. With free movement rules ending earlier this year, the UK Government has rolled out a points-based immigration syste...

Karen Betts, Scottish Whisky Association By Scott Wright THE Scotch Whisky Association is on the hunt for a new chief executive after Karen Betts agreed to take up a new role heading a food and drink manufacturers’ body. Ms Betts, a former diplomat who has led Edinburgh-based SWA since 2017, has been appointed chief executive of the Food & Drink Federation. Her departure comes shortly after the industry toasted a major diplomatic breakthrough, when the US agreed with the UK to suspend t...

PREMIUM Many hospitality operators in Scotland have reduced their trading days and hours because of the staff shortages IT seems to be a strange and unfair predicament that the Scottish tourism and hospitality industry currently finds itself in. After protracted spells of enforced closure owing to lockdown, followed by long periods during which trading has been limited because of other coronavirus restrictions, it might have been assumed that the sector could finally begin to look forward a...

PREMIUM Lisa Mitchell spotted this New Zealand notice and she hopes that all Diary readers will send their hopes and prayers to the beleaguered Antipodean nation during this difficult time. Jaws of despair OUR readers may recall from schooldays those sad occasions when a child in class would receive terrible news relating to family matters. A female friend of Russell Smith told him of one such incident. She was in primary school at the time, and one of her chums was summoned to the headmast...

AS CalMac’s ferry plans took another body blow this week with talks over the provision of the catamaran Pentalina closing fruitless, the consequences for some island businesses look serious. It means the prospect of no dedicated summer season vessel for three years across a number of communities that count tourism as one of their main industries. A group of independent councillors on Uist and Bara said it was hoped the Pentalina move would plug the gap after the delay separately announc...

AFTER the trials of the last 15 months, during which many people have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help employers keep the show on the road, a little recognition for staff would surely go a long way. The fall-out from the pandemic has sadly meant many companies have failed, while others, amid ongoing restrictions, are hanging on to their survival by a thread. But there are many businesses which have prospered, perhaps because of the digital nature of their models that ensured...

Amazon Reviews Fake or Not? Tools and 5 Tips to Spot Bogus Reviews In a day and age when you can purchase pretty much anything you need off the internet, you rely on customer reviews to tell you if youre getting a good deal or not. But what if those reviews are fake to lead you to purchase something that could just be a waste of money? Photo : Christian Wiediger/Unsplash When youre buying something off of Amazon for the first time, more likely than not, youre going to go ahead and check the r...

A FOUR-MONTH delay in the delivery of the two vessels for the lifeline Scottish ferry service might as well be a year for businesses in the islands. It could mean another full summer without the ferry capacity capable of serving tourism’s full potential and pressure on freight carrying manufactured goods, livestock and food products, in turn impacting the chain. The nationalised Ferguson Marine shipyard has revealed both the Glen Sannox and the other ferry, titled hull 802, will be some...

THE team behind the famous Ho Wong restaurant in Glasgow are to stage a comeback, it is this week revealed. The original Ho Wong on the corner of Argyle Street and York Street closed in 2019, pending the redevelopment of a site that was historically home to retailer What Every Woman Wants. The site is currently being developed into modern office accommodation.  Majority think North Sea oil and gas production should be halted The coronavirus crisis has impacted on demand for oil and gas...