Whisky bar and Old Course Hotel triumph at hospitality awards

0 The Old Course Hotel in St Andrews was named Scotland’s hotel of the year A specialist whisky bar which has been a Glasgow institution for more than 150 years and a five star hotel in the home of golf are among the winners in a prestigious awards ceremony showcasing the best of the British hospitality industry.

The Pot Still was named Scotland’s pub of the year at the AA Hospitality Awards, with the bar in Glasgow’s Hope Street praised for its extensive collection of more than 700 whiskies, its knowledgeable staff, and its “proper pies”.

Judges said the city centre bolthole, founded in 1867, was a “must” visit for whisky lovers, adding: “The team are passionate about their whiskies and gain satisfaction from matching customers to the appropriate whisky from the extensive selection.”

Geraldine Murphy, director of the bar, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be honoured with such a prestigious award. We would like to thank our staff for all their hard work and the AA for their support.

“There are so many amazing pubs in Scotland and to be picked ahead of them is incredible.”

The awards ceremony, which took place at London’s Grosvenor House and was hosted by television presenter, Claudia Winkleman, also saw the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews crowned Scotland’s hotel of the year.

General manager Helen Mcbride said: “The whole team at the Old Course Hotel is extremely honoured and truly delighted to win the AA hotel of the year for Scotland.

“We are continually investing in the hotel and in staff training to ensure that our guests always enjoy a truly memorable stay at the resort.”

The Newport Restaurant in Newport-on-tay was named restaurant of the year for Scotland.

Jamie Scott, the eatery’s chef patron, said: “This is a massive achievement for myself, my wife and our team. It is everything we could have hoped for and really confirmed for us that everyone’s hard work and determination in such a young business is paying off. A huge thank you to not only our amazing team, but also our customers for getting us to this stage with their continued support.”

Other Scottish winners at the ceremony included the Kilcamb Lodge Hotel in Fort William, and The Torridon, by Achnasheen in Wester Ross, both of which were awarded three rosettes.

John Strauss, former general manager of the Four Seasons Hotel London Park Lane, received the coveted lifetime achievement award, while Claude Bosi, chef-patron of Claude Bosi at Bibendum, was named chefs’ chef of the year.