The team at Kinloch Lodge is celebrating after being voted Most Hospitable Hotel at the 2017 Scottish Thistle Awards, recognised as Scotland’s tourism industry’s Oscars.
The hotel’s founders, Lord & Lady Macdonald, accepted the honour on behalf of the Kinloch team at a celebratory awards ceremony and dinner, last night (16th) at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. TV presenter and Deacon Blue drummer, Dougie Vipond, and presenter and former Miss Scotland, Jennifer Reoch hosted the glittering event.
Lady Claire Macdonald, said: “It was so lovely to represent the Kinloch team at the wonderful awards ceremony. Although we are still very much involved with Kinloch, Godfrey and I handed over the day to day running of the hotel and restaurant to our daughter Isabella and chef director Marcello Tully nearly 10 yeas ago and it has been wonderful to watch them take Kinloch forward and to continue to go from strength to strength, we are very proud of everyone.”
Organised by by Visit Scotland the awards recognise innovation, excellence and success in the hospitality and tourism industry, rewarding those who go that extra mile to provide customers with exceptional service.
Thistle judges commended owners of Kinloch Lodge Hotel & Restaurant for continuing to invest in quality, staff and innovation after 42 years in business. They noted that the hotel and restaurant was “geared up to maximise business through multiple channels and partnerships”.
Owner Isabella Macdonald commented: “It has been another amazing 12 months for us; We retained our Michelin star for a seventh year and now our entire team performance has also been rewarded, we are all absolutely thrilled and want to thank everyone for all their hard work. These awards are testament to our ‘our home is your home’ hospitality that my parents created from day one, when they opened the doors of their home to guests back in the seventies, and one that is absolutely central to what we do today.
An historic destination hotel and restaurant on the Isle of Skye, Kinloch Lodge has been one of Scotland’s most well-known and treasured hotels for over forty years and there have been numerous awards from The Scottish Tourist Board, AA and The Good Food Guide as well as Michelin.