Demise of an icon

[Tomo]

My last trip was in October last year - we managed to squeeze in a week or two in between the lockdowns. Things needed a little more planning, pre-booking and restrictions on numbers - but other some a couple eating options we managed to fit most things in. On the whole, at that stage, things seamed to be just about ticking along - although we were the only visitors to the Speyside Cooperage and Dalwhinnie distillery.

By contrast - the last time I was in Edinburgh (Spring 2019) with my daughter - who was 4 at the time - we visited Gordon Nicholson, Slanj, the Celtic Craft Centre, Hector Russel and couple of other to check out some bits and bobs - she thought it was great fun and everywhere was busy. However, the second wave seams to have exposed how fragile some of these businesses are - and I know from someones else in the tourism business that financial support is a bit hit and miss. Sad times indeed - but sometimes you need to take a longer view to even out the ups and downs.