It was great to see some good news for Scottish business last week, especially one that’s investing in the kind of future we all want – sustainable, community-minded, and grounded in long-term partnership.
Last week, Lomond Banks was granted permission in principle for a £40 million sustainable holiday park on the shores of Loch Lomond. For those who’ve followed the story, and the political circus that has surrounded it, this is more than just a green light for a development. It’s a line in the sand.
Lomond Banks’ plans have been through the wringer, blocked and bashed by those who shout the loudest, but listen the least.
The developer’s commitment to Balloch is clear. They’ve spent over two years consulting with the local community, creating a legally binding pledge – known as the Lomond Promise – to deliver jobs, support the local supply chain, invest sustainably, and enhance the area for future generations.
Likewise, this is not a faceless corporation parachuting in to concrete over the gateway to the Highlands. This is a company trying to do things right – and being vilified for it.
Unsurprisingly, heading up the opposition has been Ross Greer and the Scottish Greens, who’ve made it their mission to stop this investment dead in its tracks.
Now let’s be clear – scrutiny is part of the planning process. That’s healthy. But there’s a difference between constructive criticism and ideological obstruction. The latter is exactly what we’ve seen from the Greens, who seem to treat any kind of private investment as inherently evil, regardless of its credentials or the positive benefits for local communities.
Mr Greer, in particular, has treated the Lomond Banks development as a political football, peddling fear, misinformation, and murky online petitions full of unverifiable claims.
At one point in the saga he accused the developers of “distortion” and “disinformation”, interesting from someone whose arguments often lack basic facts.
Let’s not forget, this is the same Ross Greer who’s earned something of a reputation for blocking projects that might actually bring jobs and a bit of economic life to parts of Scotland that badly need it.
Whether it’s opposition to vital road upgrades, resistance to housing developments, or knee-jerk disdain for anything that involves private sector involvement, the Scottish Greens have been consistent – consistently anti-business.
This is part of a wider problem. Scotland cannot afford to be seen as hostile to investment. The reality is stark. We need economic growth to fund public services. We need jobs to retain talent and sustain communities, and we certainly need tourism, one of Scotland’s greatest economic assets, to thrive, not die, due to a handful of nimby crusaders who think ‘sustainable’ means saying no to everything.
Lomond Banks is not some soulless mega-resort, boasting flamingos and rollercoasters. Instead, it’s the redevelopment of a disused railway siding and former hotel that was burned down in the 1980s. More importantly, it’s a £40 million opportunity to create real, lasting benefit in Balloch and beyond.
The project promises not only new jobs but a boost for local businesses who will see increased footfall from visitors. It ties in with our national strategy for sustainable tourism as well as the local development plan for Balloch. It’s also being brought to fruition by Flamingo Land Ltd, a firm with over 60 years of history and no borrowings – hardly a risky venture. Scotland needs more of this – not less.
As Scots, we can be proud environmental stewards without blocking all development, valuing our wild places but still creating opportunities for people to live, work and visit. The two are simply not mutually exclusive.
If we want to be a nation that attracts talent, investment and innovation, then we must start acting this way. This means cutting the anti-business rhetoric, giving companies that have a positive and beneficial vision the right to a fair hearing – not dragging them through years of political theatre.
To my mind, it also means asking serious questions about the influence of a party that holds just a handful of seats, but seems intent on kneecapping growth at every turn.
For me, the Lomond Banks decision is a win for common sense – and for Balloch. But more importantly, it sends a message: Scotland is still open for business.
Druids Golf Let Drives Growth
As the director of SRA Ventures, I’ve always believed that strategic acquisitions fuel real business growth.
Our latest deal proves that point, with a landmark letting at Shairps Business Park in Livingston, welcoming one of Scotland’s fastest-growing brands – Druids Golf – to Unit 22. It’s the perfect match of high-growth business in a high-spec space.
Druids is a textbook disruptor, with sharp branding, slick digital strategy and a direct-to-consumer model that’s shaking up the golf apparel market globally.
Their rapid expansion has made them one to watch, not just in sport, but in the e-commerce sector as a whole.
Their decision to anchor operations in Livingston isn’t just great news for the central belt, but it’s a sign of confidence in the kind of quality commercial assets SRA Ventures is known for.
Every smart acquisition has a ripple effect, from the supply chain to local employment and even international perception of our business environment. When you align ambition with strategic capital, the impact multiplies.
The Druids Golf letting reinforces our belief that smart acquisitions aren’t about chasing volume, but they’re also about backing ambition and creating opportunity. It’s how we deliver resilient returns and drive tangible growth across the board.
And that’s exactly what good acquisitions do. They power growth, shape sectors and help build an economy that rewards risk, resilience and reinvention.
In today’s market, it’s the kind of move that delivers long-term value, not just for investors, but for the wider economy too.
It Made Me Laugh: Girvan’s Purrfect for Dogs
If you were planning a dog-friendly getaway, Girvan in Ayrshire probably wouldn’t be at the top of your list.
But according to the experts it should, as the seaside town has just been crowned the UK’s most dog-friendly destination.
The burgh beat out over 100 other entrants around the country at the annual DogFriendly Awards held in London’s Kennel Club, with over 30 local business signing up to welcome four-legged friends, including cafes, pubs and even the town’s amusement arcade.
Savvy entrepreneurs in the area have tapped into the pet potential, and with dog ownership booming, Girvan is cashing in on a market often overlooked by tourism boards, turning paws into potential pounds.
It’s the perfect formula: pups, picturesque views and profit!
It Made Me Weep: Dundee Coach Firm’s Closure
Sad news out of Dundee recently as Fisher Tours, one of Scotland’s long-standing names in coach travel, announced it was closing after 25 years, with over 20 jobs lost.
Staff said the decision left them ‘blindsided’, with many showing up to work only to be told the business was to close by the end of the week.
Workers claimed they were given no clear explanation to the decision, with one employee criticising the “smoke and mirrors” communication approach that management had allegedly adopted.
Sometimes business go under and that’s a harsh reality. But how it’s handled by bosses says everything about a company – and I fear that duty of care has gone amiss in this case
