A Perth and Kinross councillor has decided to stay in the spirit of Christmas by keeping his tree and decorations up to lift the gloom of lockdown.
SNP councillor Grant Laing had the tree-mendous idea as he came home to the cheery lights and his tree just after latest lockdown was announced.
NHS Tayside aiming to vaccinate all over 80s by the end of January
The Strathtay councillor has vowed to keep his decorations up until he can have the Christmas he wanted - with friends and family.
Spirits have been low in the council’s SNP group following the recent death of Almond and Earn councillor Henry Anderson from COVID-19.
And earlier this year the SNP group lost another of its popular councillors - Perth City South councillor Bob Band.
Cllr Laing told the PA : “People that know me might just think I couldn’t be bothered taking it down.
“But I’ve decided I’m going to keep it up until we can have a wake and a proper send-off for Bob Band and Henry Anderson.”
The Strathtay councillor came up with the idea as he was coming home on Monday, January 4 following the first minister’s announcement of a national lockdown.
Cllr Laing posted on Facebook: “Just come home. Was welcomed by the Xmas tree and its lights. Thocht better tak that doon noo. Decided no, it cheers me up.”
Sixteen new awards a record for famous Gleneagles Hotel
The councillor has instead opted to “go against all convention and sage advice” and leave his decorated tree up until he can have the Christmas he wanted with friends and family.
And he is undeterred by however long that might take.
Cllr Laing said: “Whether it be June or September. This is nobody’s fault. We are doing our best for each other.”
He joked he “may have tae start a go fund me page fer the ‘lecky though.”
The council’s SNP group leader called on others to join his rebellion - Baubles Unite.
