STB honours van Dijk with silver thistle
Leading hotelier Pieter van Dijk has scooped Scotland's top tourism accolade at the annual Scottish Thistle Awards.
Van Dijk, managing director at Peebles Hydro hotel since 1972, was awarded the Silver Thistle Award for outstanding achievement. Dutchman van Dijk joined the hotel in 1962 and worked his way up from head receptionist to assistant manager.
He returned to Peebles in 1972 as general manager and is due to retire next year. He is also on the executive committee of the Scottish Borders Tourist Board and the board of Scottish Borders Enterprise.
"Peter's commitment to training and the highest standards of hospitality have placed Peebles Hydro and the Scottish Borders on the tourism map," said STB chairman Ian Grant.
Other hotels to take awards at the ceremony, held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, were the Torna-Coille hotel in Banchory, which won the Tourism for All category for its disabled access provision, and Crieff Hydro hotel, which won an award for its successful campaign to extend the season.
Marco Trufelli of Channings hotel, Edinburgh, was named Manager of the Year.