In Insider today: ‘Liberty Steel Dalzell back in business. A Scottish steel plant has vowed to win back market share in the import-dominated market for heavy-duty steel that is used in bridges, buildings and battleships. Dalzell is now the only remaining UK-owned large producer of plate steel, an ultra-tough product used for demanding applications such as large physical structures, ship bodies, undersea oil pipes, bulldozers and wind towers…..the plant has just secured two substantial new contracts and is on target to produce more than 120,000 tonnes of plate this year…..this figure is set to rise by at least another 25% next year, as the plant’s expansion plan moves into its next phase. Other Liberty plants in Scotland and England will use a significant amount of steel from Dalzell to make products such as wind towers and oil pipelines.’
https://thoughtcontrolscotland.com/2018/08/09/scotland-shows-her-metal/

From Scottish Field on 2nd August: ‘The Seasonal Experiences Trend Index, announced by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest provider of bookable tours and activities, reveals the must-visit attractions for summer, based on year-over-year booking activity on the site. The firm announced the top 10 for the UK, with Scotland taking three of the slots- including the top two positions. With a 479% increase, taking top slot is the Loch Ness, Highlands and Whisky Distillery Day Tour from Edinburgh. Taking second place, with a 260% rise, is the Skip-the-Line Edinburgh Castle Walking Tour. And in eighth place, with a 200% rise is the One-Hour Real Mary King’s Close Underground Tour in Edinburgh.’
https://thoughtcontrolscotland.com/2018/08/04/scottish-attractions-are-number-1-and-2-in-tripadvisor-poll-without-strongman-skirt-parties/

From Insider today: ‘Permanent staff demand in Scotland grows sharply. Royal Bank of Scotland Jobs for Scotland report discovers a rise in staff vacancies alongside a shrinking candidate supply. The sharp growth in permanent staff appointments continued in July, according to the latest Royal Bank of Scotland Jobs for Scotland report.’ A sharp increase in vacancies means business is confident and growing. This is also good news for the workers, for a change: ‘Amid rising staff vacancies and shrinking candidate supply, pay pressures intensified in July. Salaries awarded to permanent starters in Scotland increased at the fastest pace in six months, with inflation outpacing that seen for the UK overall. Meanwhile, temp pay rates in Scotland rose at the sharpest degree since April 2017.’
https://thoughtcontrolscotland.com/2018/08/08/wages-growing-faster-in-scotland-than-in-non-scottish-parts-of-the-uk/

From Insider today: ‘The number of larger businesses in Scotland failing has fallen by more than half in the last quarter compared to the same period last year, according to new figures from KPMG. Administrations – which normally involve larger companies – fell by 63% (10 down from 26) and compared to the previous three months in 2018, decreased by one third (10 down from 15).’
https://thoughtcontrolscotland.com/2018/08/04/63-fall-in-large-business-insolvencies-as-scottish-economy-reveals-strength/