W E L C O M E
We're here to give you detailed, up-to-date descriptions of Scotland's hotels... plus BIG images, fast-to-follow review summaries by experts, and a simple recommendation rating system. In addition, HotLinx™ connect to the very latest offers and availability. Do check out other sites for consumer opinion but remember at this guide we are able to be comparative, i.e. a member of our team may easily spend 80 nights away per year we can compare like-with-like in Scotland.
The Scottish Hotel Guide is the hotel guide of The Scottish Hotel Awards scheme. The hotel guide is brand-new but our team founded Scotland's "flagship hotel awards" (The First Minister) scheme and event seven years ago. The hotel awards site, which we publish and which is top-ranked by Google, has received 1,000s of votes and nominations since going live back in 2003.
We're all well-travelled yet Scotland-based, independent-minded hotel, food and tourism writers. We do this work as we expressly want to guide consumers - Scots or visitors to our country - to the most suitable hotel, and best hospitality experience for each individual. We go and stay at hotels and do so as a normal guest would, but later check out everything with thorough inspections and interviews. We're very much in-the-loop for tips, trends and news in the Scottish hotel scene.
For the hotel industry we have worked to the motto 'Encouraging, Recognising & Rewarding Excellence' in Scotland's hotels since starting the process. And now we are thrilled to have a brand-new hotel guide in which we can publish all the inside information we get while researching the national hotel awards.
Do please just drop us a quick e-mail if we can be of any help. We hope you enjoy the site - and your stay in a Scottish hotel! There's a FeedBack section at every hotel review entry page. Thanks.
T H E T E A M
Gary McLean Quin, Editor & Chairman of The Scottish Hotel Awards
Gary founded Scotland's national hotel awards in 2003 and chairs them for the 7th time in 2010. He's a qualified travel editor with a committed interest in the Scottish hospitality and hotel industry having reviewed hotels for other publications for over 25 years. Gary studied divinity and politics at Glasgow and St Andrews universities and is a Chartered Designer (1997). He comes from a farming and business background in the rural west of Scotland and writes in several leading sites and magazines about Scottish hotels, food and tourism.
Vivien Devlin, Reviewer & Deputy Chairman of The Scottish Hotel Awards
Viv is deputy chairman for the 7th year of The Scottish Hotel Awards in 2010 and is an editor of Foodstars Scotland (launching in 2010). Vivien worked as a producer for BBC Scotland for many years, which saw her travel internationally on an arts agenda. Several years ago Viv become a freelance arts and travel writer and is a Member of the British Guild of Travel Writers who contributes to a wide range of magazines and sites, specialising in luxury and independent travel experiences. Viv's partner Ken Scott is one of our two photographers.
Adrienne Findlay, Reviewer & Membership Secretary
Adrienne is former manager of the Edinburgh business centre where we have been based since the start... so she knows us well! Mother of one son, Hugh, she has an international background with considerable experience of quality standards in the Far East. With her knowledge of good food, design, hospitality and positive management, she brings a wealth of relevant, real-world experience to her role as reviewer and our new Membership Secretary.
Louise Farquhar, Reviewer & Judge with The Scottish Hotel Awards
Lou has been a judge for The Scottish Hotel Awards for four years and is a key member of the team, both for reviewing but also for analysing performance delivery. From a legal background, Louise - who is Glasgow-based - has written hospitality and spa-review columns and reviews for many years. With a family, Lou can also relate to the demands and requirements of parents travelling with kids - just as easily as considering hotels' corporate offerings.
Scott Thornton, Reviewer & Judge with The Scottish Hotel Awards
Scott has travel experience in over 40 coutries, gained as a correspondent with Reuters. He is a PR specialist, director of Scot PR, with past experience leading PR for both VisitScotland and one of the country's leading hotel groups. Living is Glasgow, Scott has a love of the west coast and is frequently on an island - somewhere. He is passionate about good food and food provenance, having eaten at some of the world's best ("and worst!") restaurants.
Lynda Paton, Reviewer & Judge with The Scottish Hotel Awards
Lynda is a successful businesswoman based in Angus, the north-east county between Dundee and Aberdeen. She has been a judge for The Scottish Hotel Awards for many years and brings her passionate interest and academic skills, as holder of a BA in Hospitality Studies, to both the awards and guide. With an experienced eye for design and quality, Lynda looks with perception and experience for quality hospitality performance in all departments.
Lea Harris, Food Reviewer & Food Judge with The Scottish Hotel Awards
Lea is one of the most passionate of all writers about the Scottish food scene. From farm to plate, she follows everything and has an outstanding knowledge of producers, outlets and chefs. She's a great cook, too. As food editor of Instant magazine for many years she gained critical insight into the restaurant scene in Scotland. Today she is a writer for guidebooks, is a judge with The Scottish Hotel Awards and reviews food-led hotels in Scotland.
Arthur McGough, Reviewer & Judge with The Scottish Hotel Awards
Arthur, at home in Glasgow's West End, has a strong design background and this interesting career brought him into close contact with members of the Royal Family for whom he provided work. Today he's a valued member of our reviewing and judging team where not only his designer's eye but warm personality and listening ear makes him a superb talent-spotter for outstanding individuals - often 'rising stars' - within the Scottish hotel industry.
We also use guest and mystery writers from time to time, especially those with specialist or local knowledge. The Scottish Hotel Awards also employ the skills of additional, specialist and industry Judges.
Updated: December 2009
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