Dominic Ryan, meanwhile, takes the pulse of Scottish island economies, examining the key issues currently affecting individuals and companies and whether their raised social media profile is actually translating into a tangible boost for businesses.
There are surely not many places as appealing as Scotland’s islands on some of the glorious, summer days we have enjoyed these past few weeks – however, it’s not all rays of sunshine for local communities faced with the challenges of living in remote locations.
Elsewhere in this edition I interview John Hamilton, the chief executive of Winchburgh Developments Ltd, the single-purpose vehicle leading the delivery of at least 3,800 new homes through the expansion of a historic West Lothian village, 10 miles west of Edinburgh.
He flags as an immediate ambition getting the new Winchburgh railway station built within the next two years.
He says he is “very pleased that we have been able to integrate new residents into Winchburgh while maintaining and building strong links with the long-established community”.
Mr Hamilton adds: “I’m learning to become more patient as I advance in years but, I suspect like everyone, I’ve had to develop a tolerance to the red tape and obstacles that grace the planning system. That said, large-scale developments are always worth the wait, especially when the results are so visibly rewarding, such as the installation of the new road we built linking Winchburgh to the M9, which has made journeys to and from the community so much easier.”
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Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview, Mark Williamson catches up with the chief executive of Great British Energy, the publicly owned energy company set up with a mission to “accelerate clean energy and the industries that support it”
and “ensure workers and communities reap the benefits of clean, secure, homegrown energy”.
Economist Stephen Boyd, director of IPPR Scotland, writes: “I may have had a professional interest in the Scottish economy for over 20 years but there’s nothing quite like a young person entering the labour market for the first time to focus the mind on its various challenges.”
The University of Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander Institute provides its latest insights, while fashion entrepreneur Antoinette Fionda-Douglas offers her perspective in her regular column.
The Herald’s business writers once more highlight a broad range of business and economic developments as they reflect on what they have been writing about during the past month.
Scott Wright takes a look at who has had a good month and who has not.
It might have been the peak holiday season but there has been plenty going on across the nation in Scottish business.
I hope you enjoy this month’s edition.