The Scottish Thistle Awards national final took place last week with 19 winners recognised throughout the country for their excellence in Scotland’s tourism industry.
The awards have been given for over 30 years and are delivered by VisitScotland now combining five regional awards and a national final.
Among this year’s winners was The Torridon, Scotland’s most northerly 5 star hotel, which was awarded Employer of the Year being praised by judges for its strong employee focus with robust on-site training and learning opportunities for a large residential team. The judges also notes the team’s thoughtful approaches to sustainability and staff engagement tailored to the hotel’s remote, rural location.
Local charities will benefit from various events next year. The Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival has named Cantraybridge as its official charity partner for the 2026 event.
Cantraybridge supports young people with learning difficulties and /or neurodivergent conditions with its ethos that every young person has gifts to offer which can flourish with the right support and environment. It now provides various services including a learning centre offering training in animal care, horticulture, wood skills, creative arts, digital skills and hospitality with students having access to an independent living service that helps them build confidence, develop daily living skills and gain experience in supported accommodation.
Meanwhile, organisers of the annual Bridge to Bridge cycling event are inviting charities to become beneficiaries of next year’s event. £104,000 was raised this year from the 77 mile cycle ride from the Skye Bridge to the Kessock Bridge making a total of more than £376,000 raised for local causes since the event started in 2022 with 100 per cent of all funds raised going directly to the nominated charities. Applications to be beneficiaries next year need to be made online and close next Sunday 30th November.
In the weekend football, Inverness Caley Thistle beat Queen of the South four nil on Saturday to retain its three point lead at the top of League One.
Ross County’s match in the Championship on Friday night against Queens Park was postponed just 15 minutes before the kick off on account of parts of the pitch being frozen. County remains in second bottom place in the league on account of bottom club Airdrieonians losing its match on Saturday.
