Two Sutherland villages singled out as among worst affected economically by Covid-19
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Two East Sutherland villages are among the top 10 communities in Scotland to have been worst affected economically by Covid-19, it is claimed.
The value of sales in the two villages dropped by 61 per cent since lockdown began at the end of March.
The numbers are based on an analysis of debit card and direct debit transactions compared to the same period last year.
Support charity Social Investment Business has put together the data along with journalism website Tortoise and the figures were reproduced in a Sunday newspaper.
Oban is cited as worst affected with a downturn of 68 per cent followed by Golspie and Brora, then Aviemore and Grantown-on-Spey (58 %), Lochgilphead (49%) and Inverness (48 %).
According to the newspaper report, factors which dictate the findings are how far people have to go to shop and if an area is significantly reliant on tourism.
It also stated that the least badly affected communities were those where “inactivity was offset by buoyant grocery sales”. These included Alness and Invergordon.
East Sutherland and Edderton ward representative Jim McGillivray said: “The economic situation is a big worry, obviously and we are looking at 30 per cent unemployment across the Highland area.”
