The Colquhonnie House Hotel in Strathdon was awarded a Best Bar None award at a ceremony in Westhill.

Licensee Paul MacLennan said he was delighted with the second award for the Strathdon hotel which boasts local laird and comedian Billy Connolly and his family as regulars.

The awards scheme provides an opportunity for licensees to demonstrate to official agencies just how well they manage their own businesses.
Aberdeenshire has been involved in the scheme since 200 and 18 licensees received awards this year.

Councillor Kitts-Hayes, who presented the awards, said: "It's wonderful that such a high number of licensed premises throughout Aberdeenshire are been recognised for all their hard work over the last year.

"Alcohol misuse is such a topical issue, and it is important that we do everything we can to help solve a problem that is so widespread. Congratulations to all the winners."

William Munro, chairman of Community Safety in Aberdeenshire, said: "We are very proud to be involved with this scheme, and that so many Aberdeenshire premises are being awarded is extremely good news.
"The Community Safety Executive is committed to ensuring Aberdeenshire is a safe place for all who come to visit, and Best Bar None is a very effective resource available to us."

The scheme is supported by Community Safety in Aberdeenshire, the Scottish Business Crime Centre and is sponsored by Diageo.

The Best Bar None scheme has a number of aims, including: Reducing the risk of alcohol related harm, disorder and crime; establishing a benchmark for good practice in licensed trade premises; identifying and rewarding responsible operators and share their good practice with others; raising public awareness of the benefits of choosing to use well run licensed premises and creating a positive vehicle for all sectors of the night time economy to work together in partnership.

This years winners included: David Pollock, Key West, Unit 17 Westhill Shopping Centre; Bill Reid, Broadstraik Inn, Elrick; Iain Anderson, The Shepherds Rest, 10 Straik Road, Westhill and Marc Jones, Holiday Inn Aberdeen West, (Westhill), Westhill Drive.