Former Liberal Democrat MP John Thurso to chair VisitScotland

Scottish Tourism agency VisitScotland has appointed former MP John Thurso as its new chairman.

As Viscount Thurso, he sat in the House of Lords between 1995 and 1999, then he served as an MP between 2001 and 2015.

The Liberal Democrat lost his Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross seat at last May’s general election to the SNP’s Paul Monaghan.

Thurso has experience in the hospitality industry including running hotels and health spas.

"Scotland is an iconic national brand with a world class tourist offering and VisitScotland does a great job promoting both.

"I look forward to joining the team where I hope the skills I have learnt in my hospitality career combined with my career in public service will make a useful contribution," he said.