Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron is urging the owners of Bed and Breakfast businesses to consider applying for support if they have suffered financial losses due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Cameron is one of several MSPs who successfully lobbied the Scottish Government to change its funding rules to allow businesses which lack a separate business bank account to apply for financial support.

The Scottish Conservative MSP said: “Bed and breakfast businesses make a substantial contribution to the economy of the Highlands and Islands which is so reliant on hospitality and tourism.

“Without them, we would all be substantially worse off.

“It is good news that there is now a funding pot available to help these businesses get through this very difficult period so that they will be in place to offer a warm welcome to visitors when they start returning in the, hopefully, not too distant future.

“The funding will be administered by local authorities and I would like to thank council officials for all the work they have done to help their communities get through this crisis.”