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What matters most now for island Scotch whisky distillery and its dream

There is no doubt the announcement of Simon Erlanger’s retirement from Isle of Harris Distillery is a big moment for this island business. The...

yesterday 4

Ian Mcconnell

Solution to UK misery shunned as Sturgeon in spotlight

The sun might be shining but there remains plenty of gloom when it comes to the UK economy. Labour’s Autumn Budget is probably still more than two...

tuesday 20

Ian Mcconnell

So Sturgeon achieved nothing? What a load of emotive nonsense

There has been plenty of negative reaction to Nicola Sturgeon’s newly published memoir, Frankly. And much of this has been emotive. I have not...

16.08.2025 20

Ian Mcconnell

'Messy' event ramps up uncertainty over interest rates

“Messy” was certainly one way of putting it after the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee had to vote twice to achieve a definitive...

14.08.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

Big gap to fill for SNP after Kate Forbes bolt from the blue

Last week was one that began with a big surprise, continuing what has been a very busy summer on the news front. The announcement from Kate Forbes,...

12.08.2025 4

Ian Mcconnell

Cause for celebration over two key assets owned by Scottish Government and jobs hope

It has been great to see some good news in the last month for two key assets owned by the Scottish Government. For one, the latest win continued a...

10.08.2025 4

Ian Mcconnell

Time for some courage from Labour on Brexit. Don't hold your breath though

The “B” word - the one that Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour administration all too often look like they would simply rather not hear - has been...

09.08.2025 4

Ian Mcconnell

Why Kate Forbes is such a rarity among politicians and a big loss

The decision of Kate Forbes not to stand at next year’s Holyrood election undoubtedly represents a significant loss for the SNP on the economic and...

08.08.2025 7

Ian Mcconnell

Big feather in Scotland's cap amid gloom Much of the news has been less than cheerful but we should not overlook a major positive in these difficult times

There has been a welter of news on the Scottish economy in the last week. Much of this has been less than cheerful, including official figures...

05.08.2025 5

Ian Mcconnell

The companies which should absolutely not be making their staff foot the bill Employees of these companies should not be made to pay the price for the rise in employers' national insurance

The proportions of Scottish businesses having already adjusted their operations in response to the hike in employers’ national insurance...

02.08.2025 20

Ian Mcconnell

This should be music to ears of Scots but some might hear bum note With people’s constitutional stances sometimes seriously endangering objectivity, an external view is valuable.

Given the grinding of political axes is commonplace when it comes to debating the attractiveness of Scotland as a place to do business - with...

31.07.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

Reasons to be cheerful about Scottish shipyard without its troubles to seek The Ferguson Marine shipyard at Port Glasgow was in the headlines again – and it was thankfully good news this time

The Ferguson Marine shipyard at Port Glasgow was in the headlines again last week – and it was thankfully good news this time. The yard has not...

15.07.2025 4

Ian Mcconnell

Will these bold plans shift the dial on Scotland cashing in on renewables boom? After many dismal stories around Scotland’s fabrication yards over decades, will these bold plans help the nation cash in on renewables boom?

Too many of the stories around Scotland’s fabrication yards over the years and decades have been dismal: threats of closure which have often...

12.07.2025 6

Ian Mcconnell

Are critics glad yet this key Scottish airport was rescued? There are many reasons to be grateful that this key Scottish airport was rescued

When I interviewed Kate Forbes last month, she highlighted her view that Prestwick Airport’s work in building new alliances and relationships means...

10.07.2025 9

Ian Mcconnell

'Historic moment' in Scotch whisky sector as major deal done Some of the biggest brands and two heavyweight distillers have been in the headlines

The Scotch whisky sector has been sharply in focus in the last week, with some of the biggest brands and two heavyweight distillers in the headlines. ...

08.07.2025 20

Ian Mcconnell

Glass half-full or half-empty as major Scotch whisky distiller delivers update? There was probably something - in almost equal measure - for the glass half-empty and half-full types in the update from this major Scotch whisky distiller

There was probably something - in almost equal measure - for the glass half-empty and half-full types in the latest results from the owner of The...

05.07.2025 8

Ian Mcconnell

Key ingredient for success as Scottish restaurant and bar group eyes new venues The Scottish restaurant and bar group is eyeing new venues as it aims to double in size

The scale of the ambitions set out by the head of a fast-growing Scottish restaurants and bars group - as he announced he was taking control of the...

03.07.2025 20

Ian Mcconnell

'Stupidest' and 'unhinged' seem like measured descriptions amid destruction Words such as 'unhinged' and 'stupidest' seem perfectly measured and proportionate in the scheme of things

It is now more than nine years since the UK electorate voted for Brexit but the issue - most justifiably given the damage it is causing to the economy...

01.07.2025 5

Ian Mcconnell

I remembered meeting Scottish company chief with such an inspiring tale It brought back memories of meeting the managing director of this Scottish business, which has such an inspiring story, about seven years ago now

Reflecting this week on the ambitious expansion plans of one of Scotland’s largest structural steel fabricators brought back memories of meeting its...

28.06.2025 5

Ian Mcconnell

Are these Brexit revelations a mandate for Labour to take UK back into EU? There might still be the sounds of 'non, je ne Bregret rien' from those who voted for the folly.

Les Britanniques “Bregret” beaucoup. That was the clear message coming out of a poll published last week by YouGov. This is, of course, no...

26.06.2025 4

Ian Mcconnell

Worth the wait for those who like to see Scotland doing well

EY created a degree of suspense when it published strong 2024 financial services foreign direct investment figures for Scotland on June 9 and said it...

24.06.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

We can surely learn lessons from the tale of Barrhead Travel The story of Barrhead Travel, one of the best-known names in the overseas travel sector in Scotland, surely offers broader lessons

One of the best-known names in the overseas travel sector in Scotland celebrated its 50th birthday at a dinner at Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket last...

21.06.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

Overseas positivity towards Scotland contrasts with domestic whingers

There was much to grab the attention in the latest foreign direct investment figures for Scotland published this week. The top lines were mostly...

19.06.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

Votes of confidence in Scotland highlight false narrative Votes of confidence in Scotland from overseas companies highlight wide of mark nature of narrative around the nation

There has been some good news on the Scottish economy in the last week, which has been all the more pleasing given the continuing difficult UK...

17.06.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

Edinburgh Airport chief and the big Glasgow question The momentum of Edinburgh Airport seems difficult to overstate right now

The momentum of Edinburgh Airport seems difficult to overstate. This impetus has been crystal clear through the first half of this year and indeed...

14.06.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

This might not delight the pompous carpers

It was heartening indeed to hear Scotland not only managed to retain its impressive place as second only to London as a destination in the UK for...

12.06.2025 20

Ian Mcconnell

Kate Forbes addresses same two big topics - one year on Kate Forbes addressed the two crucial issues - one year on

It was interesting to catch up with Kate Forbes last week for an exclusive interview in which she answered questions on a broad range of business and...

10.06.2025 40

Ian Mcconnell

Major flights win is huge boost for Scottish airport The Scottish airport has announced some very positive news

Prestwick Airport has stayed firmly in the headlines in the past month with some very positive news on the cargo side of its business. As many...

08.06.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

The big problems with Labour's populist immigration proposals

Scottish Engineering chief executive Paul Sheerin is at times robust in his comments but always appears measured – which is all the more reason why...

07.06.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

North Sea row appears to be reaching boiling point The North Sea windfall tax has been sharply in focus again over the last week.

The North Sea windfall tax has been sharply in focus again over the last week. Major players in the territory are banging their drums loudly against...

03.06.2025 40

Ian Mcconnell

Does 'ferry fiasco' vessel offer hope for Arran? What has the Glen Sannox's arrival meant for Arran, including hotels on the island?

Describing the Glen Sannox ferry as worth the wait would probably not be the best way of putting it, given the huge troubles the excruciating delay in...

31.05.2025 20

Ian Mcconnell

North Sea job losses warning by major player The nature of the debate on the future of the North Sea poses a risk to jobs

The chairman of one of the big North Sea players had plenty to say last week about the UK tax and regulatory regime. Serica Energy’s David Latin...

29.05.2025 30

Ian Mcconnell

This is no 'surrender' and sadly this Brexit nightmare is not dead Emotive language was inevitably in plentiful supply but this is no Brexit 'surrender'

Emotive language was inevitably in plentiful supply last week as the Labour Government unveiled a post-Brexit agreement with the European Union,...

27.05.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

Holiday companies and airlines revelations are eye-catching The revelations about the summer state of play from the airlines and holiday companies are eye-catching

It was interesting to see both package holiday giant TUI and budget airline Ryanair use the word “robust” in recent days in relation to customer...

24.05.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

Flights win 'game changer' for Scottish airport Having followed the fortunes of the airport closely, it was heartening to hear of another very significant win for it

Having followed the fortunes of Prestwick Airport closely, it was heartening to hear on Friday night of another very significant win for it. The...

22.05.2025 30

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Privatisation surely not the answer for Scotland's ferries CalMac and its ferries are once again very much in focus

There were certainly some positives for Scotland in a key economic report published last week. However, Royal Bank of Scotland’s growth tracker...

20.05.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Why this big CalMac news is such a huge relief The news on CalMac was a huge relief, having observed a litany of woe over decades

Having observed so many UK privatisation fiascos over the decades, it was such a relief to hear that the Scottish Government was making a direct award...

15.05.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Double-take this was not Boris Johnson's Tories trumpeting There was a sense of déjà vu all over again as the UK Government trumpeted the deal

There was a sense of déjà vu all over again as the UK Government trumpeted its trade deal with India on Tuesday. It almost needed a quick...

13.05.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Major flights update revealed by Scottish airport chief The Scottish airport chief provided a major update on flights

It has been fascinating to cover some major developments affecting Scottish airports over the past month. The new owner of Glasgow Airport on April 23...

11.05.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: No fears so far after major Prestwick deal There is much going on in and around Prestwick Airport and this is a major deal

There is a great deal going on in and around Prestwick Airport and, while much remains to be seen and it is important not to be complacent, there...

10.05.2025 5

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Why distillery job cuts are so difficult for island community “It is without doubt the saddest day in the distillery's young life.” The distillery management team seems acutely aware of the profound effects of the decision

“It is without doubt the saddest day in the distillery's young life.” That was how Ron MacEachran, executive chairman and chief financial...

08.05.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Scotland resilience might surprise amid all that doomsaying The performance might surprise many given the downbeat narrative about Scotland from some politically motivated doomsayers

Amid the tumult of the Trump administration, official data revealing the US economy shrank in the first quarter of this year were hardly surprising. ...

06.05.2025 9

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Flights joy for Scottish airport on key routes The Scottish airport has unveiled two major wins in recent days

The momentum of Edinburgh Airport remains truly eye-catching, with a couple of very significant announcements in recent days. These two...

03.05.2025 20

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: A landmark moment but such a sad Scottish story

Much has been made in recent days of Royal Bank of Scotland owner NatWest’s imminent return to full private ownership. This will of course be an...

01.05.2025 30

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Big news on flights from Scottish airport

Scottish airports have been in sharp focus in the last week. It was heartening to see a huge investment in Glasgow Airport announced by its new...

29.04.2025 30

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Glasgow Airport chief flags Edinburgh lure as he bids to regain share Glasgow Airport chief says 'goal is not to steal anything that wasn’t naturally ours back from Edinburgh'

The new head of Glasgow Airport made no bones about its loss of market share in recent times as he talked this week about a huge investment in...

26.04.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Rival airport chief’s Prestwick compliments not to be sniffed at As we await the outcome of a takeover approach for Prestwick Airport, a recent conversation with the chief executive of a rival airport came to mind

As we await the outcome of a takeover approach for Prestwick Airport, a recent conversation with Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar came...

24.04.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Buckle up - Trump rollercoaster likely to have plenty more twists Donald Trump’s tariff soap opera has ensured it has been a rollercoaster week

Donald Trump’s tariff soap opera has ensured it has been a rollercoaster of a week. If anyone had thought peak drama had been hit with the US...

15.04.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Scottish airport boost as fast-growing airline launches flights What was particularly striking was the momentum of the airline

When interviewing the chief executive of SunExpress, what was particularly striking was the momentum of the airline. This joint venture between...

12.04.2025 10

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Something for SNP to smile about in difficult relationship? Does this give the SNP something to smile about in what has been a difficult and at times stormy relationship?

There was much to digest in a major poll by The Herald of Scottish business leaders, and it looked as if it would be far easier for the SNP to find...

10.04.2025 5

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What matters most now for island Scotch whisky distillery and its dream

Ian Mcconnell

Solution to UK misery shunned as Sturgeon in spotlight

Ian Mcconnell

So Sturgeon achieved nothing? What a load of emotive nonsense

Ian Mcconnell

'Messy' event ramps up uncertainty over interest rates

Ian Mcconnell

Big gap to fill for SNP after Kate Forbes bolt from the blue

Ian Mcconnell

Cause for celebration over two key assets owned by Scottish Government and jobs hope

Ian Mcconnell

Time for some courage from Labour on Brexit. Don't hold your breath though

Ian Mcconnell

Why Kate Forbes is such a rarity among politicians and a big loss

Ian Mcconnell

Big feather in Scotland's cap amid gloom Much of the news has been less than cheerful but we should not overlook a major positive in these difficult times

Ian Mcconnell

The companies which should absolutely not be making their staff foot the bill Employees of these companies should not be made to pay the price for the rise in employers' national insurance

Ian Mcconnell

This should be music to ears of Scots but some might hear bum note With people’s constitutional stances sometimes seriously endangering objectivity, an external view is valuable.

Ian Mcconnell

Reasons to be cheerful about Scottish shipyard without its troubles to seek The Ferguson Marine shipyard at Port Glasgow was in the headlines again – and it was thankfully good news this time

Ian Mcconnell

Will these bold plans shift the dial on Scotland cashing in on renewables boom? After many dismal stories around Scotland’s fabrication yards over decades, will these bold plans help the nation cash in on renewables boom?

Ian Mcconnell

Are critics glad yet this key Scottish airport was rescued? There are many reasons to be grateful that this key Scottish airport was rescued

Ian Mcconnell

'Historic moment' in Scotch whisky sector as major deal done Some of the biggest brands and two heavyweight distillers have been in the headlines

Ian Mcconnell

Glass half-full or half-empty as major Scotch whisky distiller delivers update? There was probably something - in almost equal measure - for the glass half-empty and half-full types in the update from this major Scotch whisky distiller

Ian Mcconnell

Key ingredient for success as Scottish restaurant and bar group eyes new venues The Scottish restaurant and bar group is eyeing new venues as it aims to double in size

Ian Mcconnell

'Stupidest' and 'unhinged' seem like measured descriptions amid destruction Words such as 'unhinged' and 'stupidest' seem perfectly measured and proportionate in the scheme of things

Ian Mcconnell

I remembered meeting Scottish company chief with such an inspiring tale It brought back memories of meeting the managing director of this Scottish business, which has such an inspiring story, about seven years ago now

Ian Mcconnell

Are these Brexit revelations a mandate for Labour to take UK back into EU? There might still be the sounds of 'non, je ne Bregret rien' from those who voted for the folly.

Ian Mcconnell

Worth the wait for those who like to see Scotland doing well

Ian Mcconnell

We can surely learn lessons from the tale of Barrhead Travel The story of Barrhead Travel, one of the best-known names in the overseas travel sector in Scotland, surely offers broader lessons

Ian Mcconnell

Overseas positivity towards Scotland contrasts with domestic whingers

Ian Mcconnell

Votes of confidence in Scotland highlight false narrative Votes of confidence in Scotland from overseas companies highlight wide of mark nature of narrative around the nation

Ian Mcconnell

Edinburgh Airport chief and the big Glasgow question The momentum of Edinburgh Airport seems difficult to overstate right now

Ian Mcconnell

This might not delight the pompous carpers

Ian Mcconnell

Kate Forbes addresses same two big topics - one year on Kate Forbes addressed the two crucial issues - one year on

Ian Mcconnell

Major flights win is huge boost for Scottish airport The Scottish airport has announced some very positive news

Ian Mcconnell

The big problems with Labour's populist immigration proposals

Ian Mcconnell

North Sea row appears to be reaching boiling point The North Sea windfall tax has been sharply in focus again over the last week.

Ian Mcconnell

Does 'ferry fiasco' vessel offer hope for Arran? What has the Glen Sannox's arrival meant for Arran, including hotels on the island?

Ian Mcconnell

North Sea job losses warning by major player The nature of the debate on the future of the North Sea poses a risk to jobs

Ian Mcconnell

This is no 'surrender' and sadly this Brexit nightmare is not dead Emotive language was inevitably in plentiful supply but this is no Brexit 'surrender'

Ian Mcconnell

Holiday companies and airlines revelations are eye-catching The revelations about the summer state of play from the airlines and holiday companies are eye-catching

Ian Mcconnell

Flights win 'game changer' for Scottish airport Having followed the fortunes of the airport closely, it was heartening to hear of another very significant win for it

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Privatisation surely not the answer for Scotland's ferries CalMac and its ferries are once again very much in focus

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Why this big CalMac news is such a huge relief The news on CalMac was a huge relief, having observed a litany of woe over decades

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Double-take this was not Boris Johnson's Tories trumpeting There was a sense of déjà vu all over again as the UK Government trumpeted the deal

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Major flights update revealed by Scottish airport chief The Scottish airport chief provided a major update on flights