Highland Hospitality Industry Raises over £15,000 for Charity

Leaders of the Highland hospitality industry have raised over £15,000 for charity.

The Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland Highland Dinner, now in its second year, saw 107 guests arrive at the Kingmsills Hotel in Inverness to raise money for HIT Scotland’s scholarship programme.

The annual Emerging Talent programme sees individuals placed on world-class experiences at home and abroad in a bid to raise the aspirations of the industry and help people reach their potential.

Guests heard from speaker Sandy Strang, Scottish journalist and former "Wag of the Year”. Nicky Marr, the Moray Firth Radio presenter, was the evening’s MC.

During the evening, applications for the scholarship programme were promoted direct to businesses in the area. The scholarships are on offer to students and workers of any age from any area of tourism, leisure, travel, catering and hospitality.

Craig Ewan, chair of the organising committee and general manager of the Kingsmills Hotel, said: "The HIT Scotland Highland Dinner has already become a 'must attend' event for the Highland hospitality industry.

"With the scholarship programme now open, it is mportant it for us to work together to create a strong tourism product for Scotland and the Highlands."

This year’s event was supported by a number of organisations, including host for the night, the Kingsmills Hotel. The Institute of Hospitality provided the speaker while drinks supplier Matthew Clark supplied the wine.

Meanwhile, Tomatin donated a bottle of whisky to each table and wine agent Hatch Mansfield sponsored the champagne reception. Haggis was provided by Perthshire-based Simon Howie, The Scottish Butcher.

Table centres were by Stephen Seedhouse, with additional costs covered by Inverness Hotels Association. Highland Spring provided the water.

As well as fundraising through events like the Highland Dinner, HIT Scotland is supported by big names in the industry including Highland Spring, Robert Wiseman Dairies, Caterer.com, Enterprise Rent a Car, Phillips and Brakes Fresh Ideas.