For David MacBeath, the award is another triumph over the life-threatening brain haemorrhage he suffered in 2005 – forcing him to give up building work after 22 years. He now works as a receptionist at the Dornoch Hotel and has just completed his two-year Higher National Certificate hospitality course at the nearby campus of North Highland College UHI.

David (46), who lives with his family in Dornoch, said: "Life changed very suddenly for me when I was driving up the road one day and suffered a bleed on my brain, known as a subarachnoid haemorrhage. My chances of survival were said to be very slim, but somehow I managed to pull through.

"I had to give up my building company, Highland Stoneworks, and look for something new. I was given the opportunity to work in the Burghfield House Hotel and, when that closed, was lucky enough to move to the Dornoch Hotel.

"Then I decided to study for a professional qualification because I believed in myself and wanted to prove that I had something else to offer. I also want to give my family a better standard of living, although I know only too well that money is not everything.

"The HNC was a fair challenge, but I gave it 100 per cent – and I'm all the more delighted as I do have some side effects from the illness."

Originally from Brora, David is a keen musician and has played the keyboards in several bands over the years. He now plays regularly in the Dornoch area where he lives with his wife Jennifer and two-year-old daughter, Zoe. He also has an 18-year-old stepson, Leigh.

David MacBeath at the Dornoch Hotel, where he works as a receptionist.

His college tutor, Vanessa Williamson, paid him this tribute: "David has demonstrated a consistently high standard of work and true commitment.

"Throughout his course, his determination to succeed has never faltered. He has maintained a very cheerful disposition and eagerness to complete the course, even through the hard times, and has been an inspiration to us all."

David wins £100 as North Highland College UHI student of the year and now goes through as a candidate for the overall UHI student of the year, due to be announced in August.

North Highland is one of the 13 partner colleges in the prospective University of the Highlands and Islands which provides higher level and degree courses throughout the Highlands and Islands.

"The UHI experience for me has been excellent, and a lot of this is down to the support from my tutors," David added. He now plans to study for a qualification enabling him to assess students in the hospitality industry.

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