Owner ‘over the moon’ as Comrie Croft scoops top award

Perthshire eco-destination Comrie Croft has secured the first ever “innovation in tourism” award at the regional finals of the VisitScotland Thistle Awards.

New for 2016, the category honours tourism businesses that are using innovation to commit to the future of tourism in Scotland.

Comrie Croft has rapidly established a reputation as a “forward thinking and sustainably-minded destination” in the heart of Perthshire.

Visitors can experience wild camping, glamping in Nordic Katas and can explore over 87km of hiking and biking trails, but the business was really set up to showcase the potential of rural communities to become self-sufficient.

This year has been a particularly strong 12 months for Comrie Croft as, in addition to existing sustainable enterprises – Tomnah’s Market Garden and The Tea Garden Café – it saw the launch of the 100 Mile Store, committed to selling and promoting locally produced food.

Additions to the site, meanwhile, included the expansion of the shop and office, the relocation and extension of the Comrie Croft Bikes shop, two new katas and the renovation of the existing katas, a heated barn-style function room, The Cowshed, and the planting of 1,000 native hedging plants.

Owner Andrew Donaldson said: “We are over the moon to be the regional winners.

“It is great to be recognised for thinking outside the box and pushing a few boundaries.

“Thank you to all of our customers for their continued support.”

The national final will take place in March 2017.