The founder of Crathie Opportunity Holidays (COH) has been made a MBE for her services to people with disabilities and tourism at Crathie.
Christine Sloan transformed the crumbling Crathie Manse Stables into a holiday facility for disabled people, their families and their carers.
The Manse Stables were built over 200 years ago in solid granite but had been sorely neglected with broken doors and windows, sagging roofs and overgrowth of weeds.
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With the support of Crathie Parish behind her, the Church of Scotland agreed to the new use and there followed four years of intensive work to prepare a business plan and obtain funds for the new project.
Mrs Sloan led the way in fundraising, enlisting the support of local volunteers and organisations.
The refurbished courtyard opened its doors the following year and since then it has welcomed over 820 people with disabilities who, along with their friends and family, have enjoyed over 1,990 holidays in the four specially-adapted cottages.
Mrs Sloan, wife of Rev Robert Sloan who was Minister of Crathie and Braemar parish, lived in the manse herself between 1996 and 2005.
She said: “I was surprised to be honoured in this way for what is an amazing achievement for the local Deeside community.
“I think this honour is as much for the local people who have given so much support and encouragement to the project.
“I am delighted to see that COH is flourishing and continuing to provide wonderful holiday experiences for our guests of all abilities.”
Lesley Davidson, chairman of COH, said, “The Board, staff and local volunteers and above all our visitors will be so pleased with this honour.
“Without Christine Sloan’s efforts and leadership, this wonderful project would never have come to fruition or have succeeded so well”.
