Most exciting hotels in Scotland are in the spotlight

Across Scotland, a new generation of hotel owners is investing, reinventing and reimagining hospitality, turning country estates into destinations, ships into hotels and remote communities into tourism success stories, Kristy observes, with luxury no longer the sole guarantor of influence.

Scott Wright speaks to Alison Condie, major UK housebuilder Barratt Redrow’s managing director for Scotland, who expresses concern about “dwindling land supply” across the country that she sees slowing efforts to tackle an acute housing shortage.

However, she also hails Barratt Redrow’s progress in developing “one of the most significant new communities in Scotland”.

Barratt Redrow, which builds houses under the Barratt and David Wilson brands in Scotland, is forging ahead with a project to develop more than 3,000 homes at Durieshill in Stirling over the next 30 years, 750 of which will be affordable.

I interview Bryce Cunningham, of Mossgiel Organic Dairy at Mauchline in Ayrshire.

He flags “proving that people will pay for food they believe in” as the main success of his business, which has recently expanded into England with its milk arriving on doorsteps hundreds of miles away from Ayrshire.

And he wants consumers to “understand that food that’s too cheap always has a hidden cost somewhere”.

Sarah Campbell writes: “The story of Islay's first dedicated rum distillery began when the paths of a family-run whisky business and a talented young distiller first converged nearly a decade ago.”

Read more

• The 21 most exciting hotels reshaping the future of Scottish tourism
• Scottish company collapses with all staff made redundant
• New executive search firm launches in Scottish city
• So what's all this about the Scottish economy being a basket case?
• Scottish lawyer leaves head of corporate role to build practice with global firm
• Accountancy firm reveals four senior hires
• What any analysis of Scottish National Investment Bank performance must not ignore

Economist Stephen Boyd, director of IPPR Scotland, observes: “During my time in the Scottish government, I witnessed ministers and officials constantly fretting about their relationship with the business community.”

His insights on this topic are fascinating.

And Aidan Rooney, assistant economist at the University of Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander Institute, provides his insights into the business of football fandom.

Fashion entrepreneur Antoinette Fionda-Douglas, meanwhile, provides her perspective on burning issues in her sector in her latest column.

Alex Burns writes on Scottish outdoor equipment brand Vango’s 60th anniversary.

The Herald’s business writers again highlight a broad range of business and economic developments as they reflect on what they have been writing about during the past month. There has been a lot going on.

Scott Wright meanwhile takes a look at who has had a good month and who has not.

I hope you enjoy this month’s edition and find it enjoyable and illuminating.