A CONSTRUCTION firm has confirmed 60 jobs are to go at its site in Dunoon - leaving just one employee in place.
The roles are going at Stuart McNee construction, which is now in administration, with losses being blamed on "tough trading conditions" and "significant cash flow difficulties".
The Scottish Government is now working to assist those who have been made redundant.
Business Minister Fergus Ewing said: "KPMG have confirmed that they have made 60 employees of Stuart McNee construction redundant, most of whom live in the town. This news will be devastating for employees, their families and the town of Dunoon and the Scottish Government will do everything possible to help.
"Our initiative for responding to redundancy situations, Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) is already engaged with the administrators, who will today issue a letter on our behalf inviting employees to attend four PACE drop in sessions over the next fortnight to provide immediate help.
"Through providing skills development and employability support, PACE aims to minimise the time that individuals affected by redundancy are out of work. Skills Development Scotland will also help the five Modern Apprentices who trained at the company."
Blair Nimmo and Tony Friar, of KPMG, were appointed as joint administrators of the family firm - which was formed in 1973 - on Thursday at the request of the company's directors.
They said that a lack of available funds meant they were forced to make 60 of the firm's 61 staff redundant.
Mr Nimmo said: "It is highly regrettable that such a long-established family business and significant employer in the Cowal Peninsula, has succumbed to market and cash flow pressures.
"Our immediate priorities are to ensure that all employees are supported, working closely with the relevant government agencies. We will explore the possibility of transferring existing contracts to another contractor as we seek to maximise asset realisations."
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