Golden opportunity

Sir,

I saw a comment on Arran Community Forum – also featured on this letters page – by Dr John Cruikshank remarking on the fact that an old friend from Cambridge was staying at the Auchrannie but he was unable to allow his friend to visit because of the new rules. He and his friend are both over 70.

Arran is arguably one of the safest places in the UK. There have been only five cases recorded on the island and no new cases since the beginning of June.

Is it really reasonable? Are we to be subjected to a ‘one size fits all regime? This is not a university campus – we are not in a big city!

Arran depends largely on tourism for its livelihood. Hotels, restaurants, letting houses, shops, the distilleries are all largely dependent on tourism for their income.

The short season has become longer this year as people opt to spend their holidays, and their holiday money, in the UK. Arran is proving to be popular for the October holidays, which are a staple of the Arran calendar.

Gone are the golden beaches of Spain and the warm breezes of Tenerife. When visitors come to Arran, they can of course enjoy the warm hospitality that the excellent teams are providing.

But is Arran missing a golden opportunity? A simple testing procedure (10 minutes) and passengers would be allowed to board the ferry. Arran could then retain its claim to be ‘one of the safest places in the UK’.

Yours, Sheila Noren, Shiskine.