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The Herald Scotland
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish golf set to cash in as summer gets underway
"We can't get more people into St Andrews to play more golf," Mr Coulson said. "We're already busy and we have the local balance that we have to make sure we maintain." He added: "There's got to be some joined-up conversations about infrastructure and how people move around, and also about the experience that people get. There's lots of different sport and tourism sectors doing really good things, but it's about how do you join those up so that a distillery piece is connected to a golf piece that's connected to a heritage piece." St Andrews Links Trust chief executive Neil Coulson is calling for 'some joined-up conversations' (Image: St Andrews Links Trust) As reported earlier this week in Business HQ Monthly, Dundonald Links in Ayrshire is preparing to host the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open which gets underway on July 24. The venue, owned by holiday park operator Darwin Escapes, is effectively gifting the course and the clubhouse to event management company IMG for the week. In-house catering for players, officials and the event's corporate sponsors is being charged at cost. 'Where does Dundonald make money? That's a good question,' says Craig Reekie, general manager of Dundonald Links. 'There's probably a commercial aspect that says we could make more money on our normal operations, but…the balance of it is exposure. It's a really high-profile media event." Craig Reekie says Dundonald Links benefits from the exposure of hosting the Women's Scottish Open (Image: Dundonald Links) Roy Clarke, manager of international operations at tour operator All Access GTE, told The Herald's Around the Greens series that interest in Scotland has never been higher but the industry is potentially pricing itself out of the market. "Costs for hotels, courses, and transport have jumped more than 10% in a single year," Mr Clarke said. "If the trend continues, there's a real risk that Scotland might price itself out of reach for many travellers, especially with Ireland charging less which is becoming increasingly attractive alternative." The month kicked off with the publication of The Herald's first Scottish Golf Survey, which found among other things that financial benefits from the 'Covid bounce' – the resurgence in the game's popularity since lockdown – have been far from uniform. Some clubs and venues reported they were managing well up to 2020 but had since been undone by the inflationary surge of the cost-of-living crisis, which has outweighed any gain in membership numbers. Others that were previously struggling are, unsurprisingly, continuing to have a tough time. Read more Business HQ Monthly: The survey series also uncovered divided opinions among affiliated clubs towards governing body Scottish Golf. OpenPlay, the handicapping system for independent players who are not a member of a golf club, similarly sparked some robust responses. Launched in June 2021 by Scottish Golf, the scheme offers anyone the opportunity to gain an official handicap at a cost of £4.99 per month or for an annual fee of £50. OpenPlay members also get access to tee booking and affiliated green fee rates which typically come at a discount but are charged in addition to their OpenPlay membership. Scottish Golf and other national governing bodies that operate similar schemes say the aim is to keep independent players in the golfing fold and perhaps ultimately guide them back into club membership. Some club officials maintain that it cheapens the game and is detrimental to their finances. And finally, in response to the survey results, Scottish Golf chief executive Robbie Clyde revealed that affiliation fees paid by players to his organisation may have to go up to avoid charging those who are members of multiple clubs twice or more over.
The Herald Scotland
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
New restaurant opens in ‘fantastic' Scottish city suburb
Herringbone Barnton is the fourth site to be opened under the brand by family-owned hospitality group Buzzworks, joining sister venues in Goldenacre, Abbeyhill and North Berwick. Chris Robinson, general manager of Herringbone Barnton, said: 'We're so excited to be opening our doors here in Barnton – it's such a fantastic community, and we really feel we're bringing something special to the area. 'The venue looks incredible, our team has been training hard and is full of energy, and we just can't wait to welcome everyone in. 'There's a real buzz about the place already, and it's been amazing to see how excited people are to have a Herringbone on their doorstep. 'We've poured a lot of love into every detail, from the menu to the interiors, and we hope our guests are going to feel that from the moment they walk in.' Food will be served from 9am daily, with full breakfasts, coffees, breakfast bowls, toasted croissants, avocado on toast, and much more available. Mr Robinson also said: 'Whether you're stopping in for a laid-back brunch, catching up over dinner with friends, or enjoying a relaxed drink at the bar, there's truly something for everyone. 'We're here to be a neighbourhood favourite, and we can't wait for the locals to come in and make it their own.' Aviva 'firmly on track' to buy Glasgow employer Direct Line Insurance giant Aviva has declared its £3.7 billion takeover of Direct Line is 'firmly on track' as it told the City that it has 'got off to a great start in 2025'. Aviva reported a nine per cent rise in general premiums to £2.9bn for the first quarter yesterday, amid 'strong performances' in personal and commercial insurance. General insurance premiums in the UK and Ireland were up by 12% to £2bn, with 8% growth in personal lines and 15% in commercial, reflecting new business wins and the £242 million acquisition of Probitas. The latter paved the way for Aviva to re-enter the Lloyds market. The company also reported net flows of £2.3bn into its wealth business compared with £2.7bn in the first quarter of 2024, as the growth of its investment platform was more than offset by the outflow from a large workplace scheme which switched to another provider. AROUND THE GREENS Full steam ahead for Muir of Ord's 150th anniversary This article appears as part of Kristy Dorsey's Around the Greens series Muir of Ord Golf Club was originally established as a 9-hole course in 1875 at the instigation of Alexander MacHardy, who at the time was the chief constable of Inverness-shire Police and is often referred to as the 'pioneer of golf' in the Highlands.
The Herald Scotland
04-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Distillery takes 'desperately sad decision' to cut jobs
The Isle of Harris Distillery said it is "deeply regrettable". A consultation is under way. (Image: Isle of Harris Distillery) Simon Erlanger, managing director of the distillery, pointed headwinds faced by the distillery and others in the industry. The distillery, which produces The Hearach single malt Scotch whisky and Isle of Harris gin, currently employs 45 people. Mr Erlanger told The Herald: "In a move to safeguard the future of our business, today we are introducing a restructuring programme which will see reduced production and workforce at the distillery." Read Ian McConnell's exclusive story here Shopping park next to new 2,700-home development for sale The retail park is now on the market. (Image: Galbraith) A Scottish retail park has been put on the market for sale. The park is in a "highly prominent position" and next to a major redevelopment site. Galbraith said Seafield Retail Park in Edinburgh comprises a terrace of three retail warehouse units, a stand-alone retail warehouse and a stand-alone drive-thru restaurant which has been sold on a long lease to McDonald's. The agent said the stand-alone retail warehouse has recently been subdivided into two drive-to food units and 12 EV charging stations have been created in the car park. The terrace provides accommodation for Halfords, Connection Flooring and McGuirks Golf, which is currently fitting out. Read Brian Donnelly's story here Scotch whisky is a family affair for Isle of Raasay chief Whisky is a family affair for Isle of Raasay chief. (Image: Peter Sandground) Scotch whisky is very much a family affair for Alasdair Day. The former food industry chief executive is the co-founder of Isle of Raasay Distillery, which released its inaugural single malt in late 2020. But his family connections to the industry stretch back all the way to 1820, when his great grandfather, Richard Day, joined a company called J&A Davidson in Coldstream. Alasdair took his own first steps in the industry in 2009, when he recreated the recipe of one of the whiskies his great grandfather produced for J&A Davidson between 1899 and 1916. Read Scott Wright's Q&A here AROUND THE GREENS For the love of golf's hickory history The workshop is celebrating its first anniversary. (Image: Hickory Golf Workshop) This article appears as part of Kristy Dorsey's Around the Greens series Previously employed in the financial services sector, Stuart Fraser set up his artisan clubmaking business as part-time gig during the Covid lockdowns and gave up his day job in November 2023 after finding a permanent home for the operation. The Hickory Golf Workshop is now celebrating its first anniversary, having restored more than 500 clubs to their former glory. It is opening the 2025 season with a new hickory-era golf ball making experience, along with the addition of traditional plus fours and bunnets for visitors to try on. Mr Fraser describes the workshop experience as a combination of "Scottish history, traditional craftsmanship, and storytelling with the chance to handle and play with authentic hickory-shafted clubs".
