More than 300 jobs have been lost in Aberdeen after the historic Stoneywood paper mill fell into administration.
Administrators have been appointed at the Arjowiggins Group mills in the Granite City and Chartham in Kent, with 368 of the group's 463 UK-based employees made redundant.
A total of 301 out of 372 jobs have already gone at Stoneywood.
Ninety-five employees have been retained by the administrators to assist them with the operation of limited activity at the two mills while they explore any possibility of a sale of the sites and assets.
The Press and Journal says Aberdeen staff were only given 90 minutes notice of yesterday's meeting where the bad news was broken to them.
The mill, the last of its kind in the area, escaped administration just three years ago when a management buyout was completed.
Sad news
Shauna Wright, industrial officer for Unite, told the P&J: "We are saddened to hear the news about Stoneywood Mill - particularly on the anniversary of its opening 252 years ago.
"This comes as a huge blow to our members who stood by the mill through the last administration and welcomed the management buyout, which gave them so much hope for the future."
The union has organised a mass meeting to offer support to its members on Tuesday.
Employees who had spent decades of their working life at Stoneywood are now facing the daunting prospect of trying to find a new career.
Richard Innes, who had worked at the mill for 35 years, said: "I was told at 4.45pm by a workmate I didn't have a job after a buyer pulled out.
Difficult to find a job
"There are 400 people here at the mill so it will be difficult to find a job. I'm 59, I'm not sure how to make a CV.
"It feels weird, I came in to do my job to be told I don't have a job. It's a total shock."
Shift manager Neil Minty, who has been at Stoneywood for 22 years, said he was now facing up to the prospect of trying to find another job.
He added: "There have been men and women in tears today. Management couldn't tell us that much."
Blair Nimmo and Alistair McAlinden from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators to 10 Arjowiggins Group UK subsidiaries yesterday.
Mr Nimmo told the BBC: "Unfortunately, and following on from the severe challenges posed by the pandemic, the significant economic headwinds which have been impacting industrial manufacturing businesses up and down the country, including skyrocketing energy costs and spiralling input prices, have proved to be overwhelming for the group.
Deep regret
"The management team has asked that we pass on their sincere thanks to all employees, customers and suppliers, plus Scottish Enterprise, for their strong support during these very difficult times, and they would like to express their deep regret that there was unfortunately no other option available for this historic group."
Mr McAlinden added that they will be working with unions, the government and job centres to provide relevant support to staff, as well as exploring options to sell the site.
There has been speculation that a potential buyer pulled out of a deal.
Russell Borthwick, chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: "We need all agencies and government working together to ensure that we don’t lose his iconic business and the city's long lineage of papermaking."
North-east MSP Douglas Lumsden said: "This is a hammer blow to the north-east economy and Scottish manufacturing.
"It's now time for the Scottish Government to step in and help Stoneywood like they did for Ferguson shipyard.
"Stoneywood has been a very successful business in Aberdeen for more than 250 years and everything must be done to safeguard jobs and protect its future."
Support for workforce
The Scottish Government has said it will do "everything in its power" to support those who have lost their jobs.
A spokeswoman told the P&J: "Scottish Enterprise has been working extensively with Arjowiggins and its partners to explore all possible options to support the business and its staff, including a sale of the business.
"Unfortunately, a solution could not be found to turn the company's situation around. Scottish Enterprise will work with the administrators to understand the potential options for the business going forward and explore all possibilities to rescue the jobs.
"The individuals affected by this announcement are our immediate priority and we recognise the important role they play in our economy. The Scottish Government will do everything in our power to help those affected through our initiative for responding to redundancy situations."