Highlands make headlines this week with wildlife milestones and civic strains; a new eagle chick fledges on a southern grouse moor as health and tourism issues ripple through the region.
Strathmore Hotels is placed under joint administration as eight hotels, including Perth’s Salutation Hotel, trade while options for the business are reviewed. The move follows sustained creditor pressure and a winding up petition in July; 410 staff are being retained as the portfolio continues operating.
Two British regions are advancing discussions on visitor levies. Cornwall is considering a levy to fund public services with growth in tourism cited as justification, while the Highland Council is preparing a staged consultation on a fixed-rate levy for accommodation, debated as a way to reinvest in communities.
The Royal Scottish Academy showcases work drawn from grants awarded over 26 years, highlighting artists who have benefited from its funding since the early 2000s. The exhibition, titled 26, travels through decades of Scottish art, featuring pieces that reflect social and political themes, including Ben Quinn's politically charged works and Paloma Proudfoot’s provocative installation.
NHS Grampian has declared a critical incident as Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Dr Gray’s Hospital face high demand, with patient capacity reached and ambulances diverted to other regions. The Scottish government is coordinating with partners to ensure patient safety as waits lengthen and beds are freed through prompt discharges.
The BBC reality game show has opened with a dramatic launch, featuring Acaster and Rajan negotiating to be traitors while facing potential murder. The episode sets up alliances, betrayals and a charity prize pot, with Claudia Winkleman hosting at Ardross Castle.
A roundup of continuing festival talk across Scotland and the UK. Belladrum in the Highlands has named Fatboy Slim, James and Amy Macdonald as headliners for 2027, with Reading/Leeds, Glastonbury, Download and TRNSMT still shaping up. Primavera Sound 2027 and TRNSMT remain unresolved as organisers weigh acts and schedules.
Golden eagle chick Beaky Junior has fledged from a nest on a managed grouse moor in southern Scotland, marking a milestone for Restoring Upland Nature and its South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project amid rising regional eagle numbers and ongoing conservation collaboration.