Joanne Warnock
Drum Castle has celebrated a double win at the Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards.
The popular attraction, near Banchory, triumphed in the Innovation in Tourism and Working Together for Tourism categories.
The latter prize was the result of Drum’s successful initiative, whereby a gallery was opened in the castle to display works of art, relocated from Aberdeen Art Gallery, whilst it undergoes refurbishment.
Drum Castle’s Property Manager, Alison Burke, accepted the awards on behalf of the Trust and said: “It is quite overwhelming.
“I am so proud of our team at Drum and so grateful for the partnership of the Aberdeen Art Gallery. There is so much to see and enjoy in Aberdeenshire and I hope these awards inspire more people to get out and about and enjoy the wonderful places that we are so lucky to have on our doorstep.”
The winners of the City and Shire Tourism Awards will now represent Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire as one of five regions entered into national competition at the 2017 Scottish Thistle Awards, which are run by VisitScotland.
The National Trust for Scotland’s chief executive, Simon Skinner added: “Alison and her team have done exceptionally well to receive these awards against such tough competition.
“The awards follow on from Alison being voted as Aberdeenshire Business Personality of the Year a few weeks ago.
“We will now be cheering Drum on in the 2017 national awards, but there are no real losers from events like this – they prove how many great businesses and visitor attractions there are in Scotland and how important a strong, vibrant tourism industry is for our country.”