KERRY Watson and Aileen MacKinnon both work for Inverlochy Castle Management International (ICMI).
Both are very successful, but their careers started out quite differently, with Kerry choosing university and Aileen opting for full-time work.
Right now, many youngsters are making similar choices, but which one is best?
Kerry, an operations manager for ICMI, attended Glasgow Caledonian University, where she gained a distinction in business information management.
“University gave me a great understanding of business and best practices, something we use every day, but it was a lot more than that – it was a great all-round experience,” said Kerry, who began working part-time at Inverlochy Castle Hotel, near Fort William, when she was just 12.
Under the leadership of ICMI’s Norbert Lieder, she now manages some of the country’s most exclusive hotels, including Inverlochy Castle, which has held a Michelin star for more than a decade, and the Rocpool Reserve, Inverness, which boasts Albert Roux’s first Scottish restaurant, Chez Roux.
“Originally, I planned to join the Navy, but a ski-ing accident halted my plans,” said Kerry.
After spending a year in Australia and having enjoyed the buzz of working in hotels, she decided to follow in her mum’s footsteps and go into high-end hotel management.
“My first job was working as a duty and restaurant manager for Relais & Chateau in Kinnaird, before moving back to Inverlochy Castle as a senior assistant manager for three years,” said Kerry.
She then moved to Rocpool Reserve and helped Albert Roux launch his restaurant.
“Working with a perfectionist like Mr Roux, who has spent a lifetime in the kitchen, is a great lesson,” said Kerry.
“His attention to detail and vision to bring French country cooking to the Highlands is testimony to why he commands so much respect within the industry.”
Mr Roux is one of seven industry experts in ICMI who work alongside Kerry on a daily basis. But does she attribute her success to her degree?
“University was the right path for me at that time,” said Kerry.
“As a manager, I look for the best candidate and sometimes they come with a degree and at other times they don’t.
“It’s important that potential employees have an understanding of the organisation and a willingness to learn.”
At 16, Aileen Mackinnon, manager of Rocpool Reserve, began full-time work as a waitress at Inverlochy Castle.
“I knew I wanted a career in the hotel and hospitality industry and decided to go straight into the industry,” said Aileen.
“My training at Inverlochy gave me essential experience and a full knowledge of the high standards expected.
“Like Kerry, I travelled for a year and went to New Zealand, where I worked in a vineyard in the Marlborough region of the South Island.
“Seeing wine produced first-hand gave me an appreciation of this process and a passion to continue working in my chosen career.”
On her return to the UK, she worked for a time at Seaham Hall, in County Durham, a leading hotel with one Michelin star.
In 2002, she returned to Inverlochy Castle, this time in the role of chef de rang.
“Over the next seven years, I worked my way through the ranks from head waitress to restaurant manager and duty manager,” said Aileen.
“The in-house training I received gave me the confidence to assume more and more responsibility and rise in my career.
“I’ve never regretted not going to university as I have been able to develop my skills through hands-on experience.
“If you have the right attitude and are willing to put the hours in, you will see the results at the end of the day.”