Brown and Blacks, a pub in Scone near John Swinney’s home, is due to close after its operator, Katie Long, gave notice to the brewery that owns it. Long said a sharp rise in business rates and higher energy costs had made the business unsustainable, raising concerns about mounting pressure on Scottish hospitality venues and the jobs they provide.

The pub employs 26 people, and its rateable value rose from £19,900 to £52,700 under a recent revaluation. Long hopes another operator will take over the premises in January. A study cited in the article found Scotland’s pub numbers fell from 3,215 in 2010 to 2,565 in 2025; the Scottish Hospitality Group also called for a lower VAT rate, arguing that taxation contributes to closures.