A ski centre has been recognised with a top award – for its food.
Nevis Range Mountain Gondola is the first ski area in Scotland to be awarded the VisitScotland “Taste Our Best” Award.
It is also one of only six visitor attractions to be recognised with the award in the Highlands.
The Award recognises the high quality of the eating experience including the hospitality, quality of the food and menu variety, with an emphasis on the use of Scottish produce and ingredients.
Nevis Range customers can sample some of the best Scottish produce all year round in the Pinemarten cafe bar and in the Snowgoose restaurant at the top of the Mountain Gondola on the slopes of Aonach Mor.
Nevis Range’s successful head chef, Will MacDonald, has worked to create a menu with an accessible, yet decidedly Scottish identity.
Scott Armstrong, VisitScotland Regional Partnerships Director, said: “I would like to congratulate Nevis Range on becoming the first ski centre in Scotland to achieve Taste Our Best. This award is another string to their bow as they continue to enhance their offering to the public.
“We know that visitors enjoy authentic, quality traditional food and drink, with many willing to pay up to 15% more for food that they know is of local origin. By sourcing and promoting local produce and securing the Taste Our Best award, businesses have a real opportunity to boost both their finances and their reputation.”
Marian Austin, managing director, Nevis Range said “We are absolutely delighted to have received this recognition from VisitScotland, and it’s certainly been an important goal of ours in the last year.
“We are committed to providing our customers with a unique mountain experience, and providing quality and locally sourced food is key to this effort.”
Peter McFarlane, catering manager, Nevis Range, added: “Over the years we have chosen to source as much food and drink as we can from local and Scottish based companies. We work with local Cobbs Bakery and Great Glen Game and serve Macsween’s Haggis and Stornoway Black Pudding.
“We also prepare our own dishes on site in our kitchen at 2,132ft on the slopes of Aonach Mor – which can only be accessed by our gondola.
“During 2015, we have introduced even more local and Scottish produce to our menu to celebrate the Year of Food and Drink Scotland 2015 themes.”