Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron has condemned Nicola Sturgeon’s decision to delay the re-opening of Scotland’s hospitality and tourism industry

Mr Cameron, the Scottish Conservative Shadow Finance Secretary, said: “The SNP seem to be oblivious to the immense importance of tourism to the economy of the Highlands and Islands, which is worth an estimated £1bn per year.

“Nicola Sturgeon’s delay is costing us jobs and putting businesses at risk.

“We can only hope that when the cost of this delay becomes apparent to the SNP Government and they will U-turn just as they did on re-opening schools.

“In the meantime, the hospitality industry in the rest of the UK is making up for lost time while we are left watching the summer slip by, along with our hopes for a quick recovery.”