An Inverness pub has defeated hundreds of competitors to win a prestigious national award.
Johnny Foxes and the Den won both the Best National Bar and Best Independent Bar awards at the Best Bar None National Awards Scotland in Edinburgh.
Owner of the popular Inverness nightspot, Don Lawson, said he was “delighted” but “shocked” to win the national award against 460 competitors.
The Arts Bar in the Mercure Hotel in Inverness also won the Best Hotel Bar award at the event held in Murrayfield stadium.
Assessment criteria for the competition included performance on aspects such as fire safety, environmental health, drugs policy, disabled policy and the general operation of the establishment.
Mr Lawson said: “I am absolutely delighted. It is absolutely brilliant for the whole team at Foxes and for Inverness as well because there are bars from Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow competing.
“I thought we were in with a chance of winning our category but to win the overall award and be crowned champion is beyond my expectations. I am shocked.”
Craig Duncan, chairman of Inverness Business Improvement District (Bid), which co-ordinates the local Best Bar None award assessment, said: “Winning these prestigious awards is an enormous honour for Inverness.
“I am delighted that the city has been recognised in these awards, which reflect the hard work done by all of the licensed premises under the Best Bar None scheme.
“It is a major achievement for Johnny Foxes and the Den to be named overall Best Bar None National Champions as they were competing against 400-plus other premises in Scotland. All credit to Don Lawson and his exceptional staff for achieving this award.”