A north-east distillery has raised a glass in toast to a double success after winning two accolades in the region’s annual tourism Oscars.
Glen Garioch Distillery at Oldmeldrum picked up Best Heritage Tourism Experience and the Working Together For Tourism titles at the Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards (ACSTA).
Staff from the distillery – one of the oldest in Scotland – joined businesses and individuals from the local tourism scene to celebrate success at the ceremony at Ardoe House Hotel in Aberdeen.
The distillery’s neighbour – Meldrum House Country Hotel – won the Most Hospitable Hotel title for the fifth time, while luxury venue Lys-Na-Greyne at Aboyne took the trophy for Most Hospitable Bed And Breakfast for the second year running.
The Regional Ambassador title went to David McCubbin, a business executive with VisitAberdeenshire, while the regional Rising Star award for those with a bright future in the industry was presented to Nicola Downie, conference and banqueting manager at Meldrum House Country Hotel.
ACSTA chairman Alison Christie said: “Although there can only be one winner in each of the categories, the judges were incredibly impressed with all of the contenders.
“I know that, for many of them, settling on a shortlist of finalists was very difficult and choosing a winner was an almost impossible task.”
ACSTA winners will now go on to fly the flag for the area nationally at VisitScotland’s Scottish Thistle Awards, which take place in March.
