A police probe is under way into “financial irregularities” at a top Perthshire holiday resort.
The investigation at the Loch Rannoch Highland Club, in Kinloch Rannoch, follows the sacking of its general manager during lockdown.
The Courier revealed this week a long-simmering row between disgruntled timeshare owners and senior committee members had reached boiling point.
The issue came after a spate of redundancies in April – shortly before the general manager was dismissed – and the decision to recruit contract workers just weeks later.
Some of the agency staff then walked out, claiming they were shouted at by senior members of staff.
In response to the article, committee chairman Cliff Hunter wrote to members to address “recent misunderstandings” and claims made by members in an online forum.
He volunteered that a police investigation had been launched at the club, stating the former general manager was “dismissed for matters of gross misconduct”.
Mr Hunter wrote: “It is an ongoing Police Scotland investigation. Perth CID have conducted interviews with staff and committee members and are reviewing evidence on these matters.
“We have now been advised by Police Scotland that, at this time, all we can say further on this matter is that the investigation is into financial irregularities.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman told The Courier: “We can confirm we have received a report of a possible embezzlement. Enquiries are ongoing and at an early stage.”
Staff said the general manager was suspended and “escorted off site” by Mr Hunter and others in early April.
The resort, which has 85 timeshare flats overlooking Loch Rannoch, has 3,800 members from around the world.
In his email, Mr Hunter wrote: “It is worth reminding everyone that the club’s committee is elected by you, our members.
“They are unpaid volunteers and carry out their duties on behalf of the membership to the best of their abilities, using wide-ranging experience and skills.”
The row over redundancies led to the resort being vandalised in September.
Slogans demanding the resignation of committee members – including grafitti that read “Contract workers over locals” – appeared in large, bold capital letters around the building.
The resort was closed when lockdown restrictions came into force on March 24, but reopened to visitors in July.
The committee said it is working to restructure the organisation, which will shortly be incorporated as a not-for-profit limited company.
