Auldearn hotel voted best in country at AA awards

A HIGHLAND hotel has been named Scottish hotel of the year at the prestigious AA hospitality awards.

Boath House Hotel at Auldearn, near Nairn, was voted top in the country by judges.

Owner Wendy Matheson received the award at the ceremony in the London Hilton on Park Lane in front of more than 700 members of the hospitality industry.

She said: “It may be an often used and hackneyed phrase, but without our amazing staff and some very experienced and helpful AA inspectors we would not have achieved this award.” Boath Hotel is a grade-A listed Georgian mansion house and boasts the culinary skills of head chef Charlie Lockley, who has a Michelin star and 4 AA rosettes.

AA award winners are selected in recognition of excellence and success within their chosen category. They are required to show a significant improvement in the preceding 12–18 months and prove their dedication to raising industry standards and enhancing both their guest and diner experiences.

AA Hotel Services group area manager Giovanna Grossi said: “We are delighted at the excellent standards we have experienced in Scotland this year, resulting in some outstanding award winners north of the border. Other winners were Martin Wishart as chef’s chef of the year and the Peat Inn in Fife as Scottish restaurant of the year.