NICOLA Sturgeon has condemned author Neil Gaiman after he broke lockdown rules to travel to Skye.
The American Gods writer travelled more than 11,000 miles from New Zealand, via Los Angeles and London, to his holiday home on Skye, leaving his wife and son in Auckland.
Gaiman wrote on his blog that he arrived in Scotland last week after he and his wife agreed "that we needed to give each other some space".
The English-born author has been spoken to by police, who issued him “suitable advice” about lockdown restrictions.
READ MORE: Police speak to author Neil Gaiman about lockdown trip to Skye
The First Minister was asked about Gaiman at the Scottish Government’s daily coronavirus briefing.
She said travelling to remote parts of the country risked bringing the virus there and putting pressure on local services.
"Do not do it,” the FM commented. “You should not be travelling away from your home apart from in the essential circumstances that we cover here on a daily basis.
"So that's my message to Neil Gaiman and it's my message to everybody. The more we stick with this right now, the sooner we will get to the point I spoke about earlier where we start to take these concrete steps back to normality."
READ MORE: Ian Blackford says 'stay away' after author's trip to Skye
The writer was also criticised by Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP Ian Blackford.
The SNP Westminster leader tweeted: “Can I just remind anyone else thinking of coming to the Highlands this is against the regulations.
“To come from the other end of the planet is gobsmacking. We will welcome all to the Highlands when it is safe to do so. For now stay away.”
Faced with complaints on Twitter, Gaiman responded: “I’m currently a UK taxpayer and on the Scottish voting rolls. I went home.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel