Thrilled to bits

HOTELIER Maurice Taylor, the man who founded famous Glasgow restaurant La Bonne Auberge, has amassed many awards in his long career. But his latest honour was more special than most.

Mr Taylor, who began his hospitality career with British Transport Hotels, was awarded the CBE by the Queen at Holyrood House in Edinburgh.

Mr Taylor, who was made a CBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list, said: “I am deeply honoured to have received this award from Her Majesty The Queen. And I’m absolutely thrilled to bits to receive such recognition in the autumn of what has been a very rewarding career within the hospitality sector.”

Daring for charity

TWO charities, Finding Your Feet and Cash for Kinds, are better off by a total of £10,000 after a charity abseil down the Atlantic Quay building in Glasgow.

Sixty tenants of the business location were joined by nine amputees including 11 year old Liam Brown from Coatbridge, who did the abseil for Finding Your Feet. The charity helped the amputees get back on their feet.

Finding Your Feet was set up by Corinne Hutton from Lochwinnoch, who had her hands and feet amputated after contracting pneumonia and septicaemia 2013.

Corinne said: “The money raised will have a huge impact on the work that Finding Your Feet does. It will go directly towards funding opportunities for amputees to get back into recreation and employment, while contributing to the projects we run from amputee football, climbing and skiing to cycling and movement therapy.”

Bear essentials

JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin was unequivocal when asked yesterday whether he would continue to campaign for a cut in VAT for the UK hospitality

industry.

“Does a bear dance in the

woods?” came the quick reply.

It’s certainly a different take on a popular phrase.

Making a difference

ROSS and Liddell said this week that has delivered more than £50,000 to groups and good causes as part of its Community Bursary Scheme.

The property management company has just completed its fifth and largest ever round of the funding programme, which provides support to organisations all over Scotland.

The scheme was launched in 2011 to provide support to organisations that make a vital difference in their community.

Irene Devenny, managing director of Ross and Liddell, said: “We have supported more than 100 groups across Scotland with a much needed cash boost and this has helped bring some fantastic projects to fruition.

“From building playparks in Craignish in Argyll and buying basketball uniforms in Aberdeen, to revamping allotments in Govan, the variety of applicants has been wonderful, and we are incredibly proud of the scheme’s achievements."

Record breakers

The contest to find the best tourism businesses in the Highlands and Islands has attracted a record number of entries.

A total of 203 entries have been received for the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards (HITA) this year – up more than 15 per cent on last year, itself a record.

Judging has now started to determine the winners in 15 categories with the best places to stay, eat and drink and enjoy the area’s sporting and musical culture among those to be honoured.

Craig Ewan, the HITA chairman, said: “Beating last year’s record entry was a tough challenge but this year we have reached an all-time high.

“Entries have continued to grow over the last five years and we are delighted that so many of our outstanding tourism businesses are in the running to be recognised by their peers.”

A shortlist for the awards will be announced in September and the event will culminate in a final at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness on November 4.

HITA winners will go on to represent the region at the national final of the Scottish Thistle Awards next year.