Awards

A Highland woman has become the first-ever bed and breakfast owner to scoop the most prestigious prize in the Scottish tourism industry.

Joan Campbell from Melvich in Sutherland,scooped the Silver Thistle success is a fitting end to over 30 years in the tourism industry and comes in the same week that the Sutherland businesswoman announced her retirement from running the Sheiling B&B near Thurso.

The esteemed VisitScotland accolade has been awarded to Joan in recognition of her outstanding dedication to supporting the wider tourism industry in Scotland during the past three decades.

Joan has welcomed thousands of visitors to Scotland since starting her business and now joins leading figures in the tourism industry in receiving the VisitScotland accolade which celebrates excellence.

VisitScotland Chairman Peter Lederer said: “Joan is an unsung hero of Scottish tourism and has worked tirelessly during the last 30 years to welcome thousands of visitors from around the world to Scotland and ensure that they have a truly memorable stay.

“Her commitment to quality, from the locally sourced ingredients in her famous Scottish breakfast to her annual decorating sprees, has won her a string of awards including five stars from VisitScotland and has kept visitors coming back year after year for more.

“And as if making her own business a success wasn’t enough, Joan has also dedicated an enormous amount of time and effort into supporting the wider tourism industry and making Scotland a must visit, must return destination.

“I congratulate her and all the other businesses here tonight on their success and wish Joan the best of luck in her retirement.”

Tourism Minister Jim Mather said: “Tourism iscrucial to Scotland's economic wellbeing and its success is driven by the passion of businesses large and small – as Joan Campbell demonstrates so well.

“Joan and all the other Thistle Award winners are role models that the whole of the Scottish hospitality industry would be wise to follow.

“The secret is out. If everyone in the industry works with the same enthusiasm and dedication as our winners, we can reach the higher levels of customer satisfaction that will make our revenue and profit aspirations easy to achieve.

“I am delighted to see that theseindividual contributions to the industry, the Scottish economy and the reputation of our country have been rightly recognised tonight.”

Scotland’s top tourism businesses were also named during a glittering awards ceremony at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (see complete list below.)

Created by VisitScotland, the Scottish Thistle Awards - now in their 16th year – are widely recognised as the mark of excellence and professionalism across Scottish tourism, rewarding businesses for their contribution to the country’s reputation as a first-class visitor destination.

Every year, the prestigious Silver Thistle award seeks to recognise an individual with a true commitment to Scottish tourism; someone who may or not be involved in mainstream tourism but has worked over and above their own business interest to benefit our industry.

This year’s winner Joan Campbell is a member of the North Highland Initiative, North Highland Tourism Ltd., launched by HRH Prince Charles to increase the number of tourists to the area.

She is represented on a number of Scotland’s leading tourism committees including chairing Scotland’s Best B&Bs and is a member of VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance Scheme.

Grant Macnicol of Dornoch Cstle Hotel, on the occasion of winning "Young Ambassador of The Year 2007" Award.

Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards

This year's Awards 07, from the North Highlands Tourism area;
Invergordon Tourism Alliance, on the occasion of winning the top spot in the "Community Tourism" Awards.