President-elect Donald Trump has signalled the US will pursue protectionist trade policies when he returns to the White House this month, which is widely expected to mean the reintroduction of import tariffs in the whisky industry’s most lucrative export market.
William Wemyss, chairman of Wemyss Family Spirits, owner of the Kingsbarns Distillery in Fife, has now echoed those views. He told The Herald: “Any tariff will of course be damaging, and it really depends what level these are introduced at and how serious it becomes. Last time they were imposed at 25 per cent and it cost the industry £600 million of exports to the States.”
Read Scott Wright’s story here
Emirates’ major Scottish airports flights decision ‘disappointing’
However, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick at the same time hailed the importance of Emirates’ daily A380 service to Glasgow Airport, the city and the local economy. The Airbus A380 is the world’s largest passenger aircraft.
Asked what he thought of Glasgow Airport’s post-pandemic recovery, in an exclusive interview with The Herald, Mr Patrick said: “I think the guys have put in a hell of an effort. The fact they have been able to get Emirates back on the A380 – that is a significant positive step.”
However, he added: “I am disappointed they [Emirates] went to Edinburgh before they had the double-daily back in [at Glasgow Airport].”
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Delivery and haulier firms in ‘urgent need’ of drivers
The company said challenges facing the industry around fuel costs were made worse by “persistent driver shortages”.
Operating in the rural and remote regions of the Scottish Highlands and Islands, M&H Carriers said it found itself “in direct competition for a shrinking pool of qualified drivers, underscoring the urgent need for skilled talent in the sector”.
Read Brian Donnelly’s story here
Glasgow’s Golf It seeks to crank up the game’s mass appeal
Golf It opened in 2023 on the site of what was Lethamhill Golf Course, a municipal facility established for more than 100 years but which in more recent times was left with little investment and deteriorating conditions.
The game’s governing body, the R&A, purchased the site in 2021 and has invested several million pounds into building a facility in the east end of Glasgow that has created more than 50 job opportunities.
The area has been transformed during the past three years to meet the vision of the R&A, which was to bring golf back to the heart of community life in a fun, inclusive and affordable way. Head of golf Alyson McKechin explains how that is being achieved.
