AN “inspirational” Inverness businesswoman who runs a Loch Ness boat cruise company has scooped the top award at the Scottish tourism Oscars.
Freda Newton MBE, who owns and manages Loch Ness by Jacobite, was rewarded for her role in tourism with the prestigious Caledonian MacBrayne Silver Thistle Award, which was presented by Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs.
She was praised for her “pivotal role in their region’s tourism industry” including her work as an ambassador for Scotland on international business trips and was described as “an inspirational role model to women” and “mentor to young entrepreneurs”.
Newton’s award was one of 13 handed out at the Scottish Thistle Awards national final, held during Scottish Tourism Week, at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre hosted by TV presenter and Deacon Blue drummer, Dougie Vipond, and presenter and former Miss Scotland, Jennifer Reoch.
Michelin-starred Kinloch Lodge Hotel and Restaurant on Skye, owned by Lady Claire Macdonald with her husband, Lord Godfrey, chief of the Clan Donald, was named Most Hospitable Hotel at the event.
Comrie Croft near Crieff won the Scotland CAN DO Award for Innovation In Tourism, CalMac ferries picked up Edinburgh Airport Working Together For Tourism, while Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, produced by Unique Events, took home Caledonian MacBrayne Best Cultural Event.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here