Awards and
Feedback
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The hard work associated with the rehabilitation
of the buildings, the many training courses attended by Janet and Ross,
and the establishment of a quality tourism enterprise over a period
of 6 years, at last began to bear fruit in 2001.
Whilst we had always been pleased with our Tourist Board 4 star grading, the AA’s 5 Diamonds Premier Selected rating, and 5 stars from the Taste of Scotland, along with all sorts of flattering publicity, we had never won any special recognition. All that changed in 2001. In April 2001, we applied for and won a Gold Rating in the Tourist Board’s Green Tourism Business Award. (www.green-business.co.uk)This award recognises the importance of tourist businesses being environmentally friendly and encourages the development of a sustainable tourism industry. Also in April we were selected by the Hotels and Catering Industry International Management Association (HCIMA) as ‘Champions’ in their Hospitable Climates Initiative. (www.hospitableclimates.co.uk) This is an initiative aimed to improve energy efficiency in the hotel and catering industry, in response to the new government tax on energy known as the ‘Climate Change Levy’. We certainly benefited from the publicity surrounding the presentation by the Government Minister responsible for energy in the plush surroundings of the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh. Again in 2003 the HCIMA have featured East Lochhead as an example for small business for our energy saving efforts. Later in 2001, we won a Thistle Award for Customer Care. The Thistle Awards are the top tourism awards in Scotland. They are sponsored by the Tourist Board, and are the Oscars of the tourism industry! Unfortunately Janet could not collect the award in person from TV personality Sally Magnusson, but Heather enjoyed substituting, and in many ways it was just reward for all the help and assistance she has given us. |
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Later
that year, in October, we learned that we had been shortlisted by the
Taste of Scotland for one of their awards – namely the best B &
B and small hotel in Scotland. We did not win, but just to be runners
up in our fifth year of trading was a huge achievement. The two awards meant that the Tourist Boards 2002 web site identified East Lochhead as 'Scotland's B&B of the year!!' (www.visitscotland.com) Janet’s success has also been recognised by the Women into Business organisation, (www.scottishbusinesswomen.com) and she has addressed regional meetings on the subject of starting ones own business. Early in 2002, she was chosen to be one of 4 businesses featured in a specially commissioned film shown at the Women into Business Annual Conference held in Glasgow in June 2002. She has also been invited to lecture to students of entrepreneurship at Paisley University.In the Spring of 2002, we also met the requirements of the Investors in People National Standard which recognises our commitment to best practice in managing people towards our business goals. Also in Spring 2002, we were selected as an exemplary business in extending the Green Tourism Business Scheme to England. Ross has been involved in numerous seminars in Northern England demonstrating how theory can be put into practice using East Lochhead as an example. Spring 2002 also saw Janet and East Lochhead being featured in a DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) film aimed at encouraging small businesses to use the web and develop e-business. (www.ukonlineforbusiness.gov.uk/tourism) Almost 70% of our business comes via the Internet, and the film also featured our e-business links with the local Ayrshire farmers Markets. (www.ayrshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk) In
September 2002 we learned that we had made the finals of the Thistle
awards for the second year running, although it's in a different category,
namely "Tourism and the Environment". Whilst we did not win,
coming second represents a significant achievment. Most recently the quality of Janet's cooking has been recognised by the tourist board's Food Grading Scheme, awarding her 4 medallions in recognition of "An outstanding standard of Food, Service and Ambience". East Lochhead therefore is in the top ten establishments in Scotland graded for Home Cooking. We are also pleased to be included in the first ever edition of Eating British which is an invaluable guide for all real food enthusiasts and tourists looking to experience British regional food and drink (www.finefoodworld.co.uk). We are also members of the Ayrshire Food Network which again encourages the supply and use of fresh local produce. Of course, the best award or reward for anyone in the hospitality business are satisfied customers. Fortunately, we have had quite a few of these and below are some examples:- |
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“A
glorious setting, Delicious food, good company – we should certainly
return” Just
a short note to congratulate you both on such a wonderful establishment,
little wonder you have won so many awards! We have been fortunate enough
to have stayed in some of the best hotels in the world and cantruly
say that our short stay with you recently equalled if not surpassed
some of these experiences. As a competent and very fussy cook (this
as you will know makes eating out sometimes quite disappointing) I was
delighted with your 'supper' and breakfast and I can truly say that
I enjoyed your food very very much. |
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In his Open Road Travel Guide to Scotland, Dan Macquillan says of us….”East Lochhead Country House is undoubtedly one of my favourite places to stay in Scotland. It combines a wonderful home, gracious hosts, and an idyllic setting to create one of the most memorable lodgings you are likely to have in Scotland”. All this and only 15 minutes from Glasgow Airport, 30 minutes from Prestwick Airport, and 25 minutes from Glasgow City Centre! |
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