Thompson strikes silver at the Thistle Awards

James Thompson, the man behind Edinburgh landmarks Prestonfield House and the Witchery, has capped 25 years in the industry by scooping the Silver Thistle, the top accolade at VisitScotland's Thistle Awards.

The Flavour of Scotland award, sponsored by the Caterer Group, was won by the Lochside Lodge and Roundhouse restaurant, in Kirriemuir, Angus, which opened in December 2000.

Other award winners at the event, held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre last week, included Edinburgh's Balmoral hotel, which won the Customer Care award for large hotels.

Private Edinburgh hotel chain the Town House Company won the main marketing initiative accolade, while the small business equivalent went to Beechwood Country House hotel, Moffat.

The award for year-round operator went to the Auchrannie Spa Resort, Country House Hotel & Country Club, Brodick, Isle of Arran.

St Andrews Bay Golf Resort and Spa, St Andrews, bagged the Skills for Success training award for a large company.