Personal

Silver Thistle. The highest accolade in tourism, presented to James Thomson for his "outstanding contribution to the development of tourism in Scotland" by First Minister Jack McConnell at the Thistle Awards 2004 - Scotland's tourism oscars October 2004.

Hospitality Industry Trust Industry Achievement Award, received by James Thomson 2002.

Chevalier of the Order of the Tasse de Vin, for James Thomson 2001.

Manager of the Year, James Thomson, Scottish Tourist Board Thistle Awards 1999.

Spirit of Scotland Awards, Finalist Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Awards for James Thomson 1999 & 2003.

Business

BT Vision 100 Index, member of this annual index of the UK's 100 most visionary organisations.

Investor in People, the first independent restaurant in Scotland to be accredited in 1998 & reaccredited to include the Tower in 2002.

Company of the Year, Lothian Business Excellence Awards 2000.

Scotland the Brand, we were awarded memebership of this prestigious marketing organisation in December 2000 becoming their first restaurant member.

The Quality Scotland Awards for Business Excellence, Highly Commended 2000.

Quality Scotland, Awarded Membership of Scotland's EFQM assessing organisation 2001.

National Business Awards for Scotland 2000, Commended Finalist.

Scottish Tourist Board Thistle Awards Large Company Training Award, 2001 Finalist.

Scottish Tourist Board Thistle Awards IT Initiative 2001, Finalist.

Scottish Tourist Board Thistle Awards Large Company Training Award, 1998 Finalist.

Acorn Award, from Caterer & Hotelkeeper for Tower General Manager.

Suites

Room for Romance Hotel of the Year Award, for "Britain's Sexiest Suites" Many 2003.

The 4th most Romantic Destination in the World, The Independent Newspaper 2001.

AA Five Diamonds & Premier Collection accreditation for the Witchery Suites.

The Seven Wonders of the World, Cosmopolitan Magazine for the suites.

Scotland's Most Romantic Hotel, Scotland on Sunday.

Scotland's Ten Best Rooms, Sunday Times Scotland.

Ten Most Romantic Destinations, Men's Health Magazine.

Top Romantic Honeymoon Destinations, from Wedding Magazine putting us on a par with the Ritz.

AA Bed and Breakfast Guide, The Best in Scotland for our suites.

Restaurants & Food

Macallan Taste of Scotland Restaurant of the Year Award, 2001-2 for the Witchery.

Sunday Times Regeneration Award, for the creation of the Secret Garden Restaurant.

Domecq la Ina Most Civilised Diningroom Award, for the Secret Garden Restaurant.

Courvoisier The Best of the Best, Awards for the Witchery and Secret Garden.

Michelin Guide, two knives and forks for the Tower 2001 & 2002 & 2003 & 2004.

AA Two Rosettes, for food at the Witchery.

Good Food Guide, listing in the Tower's first and subsequent years 1999-2005.

Most Talked about Restaurants, listings for Tower and Witchery in Harden's Guides.

New Restaurant of the Year, Finalist Highland Spring The Tower 1999.

Wine

AA Wine Award, for the Tower 2003.

AA Best Brasserie Wine List Award, for the Tower 2002.

AA Wine Award for Scotland 2001, for the Witchery.

AA Wine Award, for the Witchery Wine list 1999.

Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, 1995-2007, for the Witchery Cellar.

Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, for the Tower 1999-2003.

Decanter Magazine Wine List of the Year, for six consecutive years at the Witchery.

SLTN Awards 2000, Wine by the Glass Award, Highly Commended for the Tower.

updated: 17 December 2004

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Should you require any images or  further information on the The Witchery by the Castle, the Tower Restaurant, Prestonfield,James Thomson or any of his exceptional collection of unique venues please contact Mark Rowley on 0131 225 0976 or email

Further information can be found at www.edinburghsbestrestaurants.com