Tourists down, costs up: recession looms on Highlands horizon
In the first part of a series assessing warning signs of economic downturn, the Guardian visits a hotel in Scotland
Tanja Lister is addressing her fears of a looming recession one dinner plate at a time. "We spent about 3,000 on new crockery," she explains. She has been running the Kylesku hotel, a former coaching inn perched on a wild peninsula in Sutherland, north-west Scotland, with her partner, Sonia Virechauveix, for a decade. "Other people might have made a different decision, but for us it was important that we weren't sending out a bowl with a chip in it so that people really enjoy their experience."
In addition to the colourful crockery, diners can enjoy panoramic views across Loch Glendhu and an ultra-local menu that this week includes hogget from Drumbeg and Ullapool crab. Boosted by a recent refurbishment and extension, as well as the hotel's proximity to the phenomenally popular North Coast 500 road route, Lister has been reaping the rewards of Scotland's high-end and sustainability-conscious tourist boom.
Number employed in sector: 2.9m
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