Former Melvich B&B operator stands down as director of Highland tourism awards scheme after 20 years' service
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Former guest house owner and author Joan Campbell, Melvich, has retired from the board of directors of the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards (HITA).
A farewell dinner was held at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness, for Mrs Campbell and two fellow founding members and directors who have also retired - Elizabeth Mackintosh, Drumnadrochit, and Ken MacAulay, Inverness.
Mrs Campbell now lives just up the hill from the Sheiling, the B&B business she ran with her husband for 40 years.
Her guest house career provided the inspiration for her 2009 book, Heads on Pillows, and two years later she was awarded an MBE for her work in tourism. She wrote a popular column, Tourism Matters, in the Northern Times for seven years.
Laurence Young, chairman of the HITA board of directors, thanked the three former directors for their contribution.
“Liz, Joan and Ken have been with the awards from the outset – more than 20 years of service,” he said. “They have done so much across the years, and will be really missed.”
Mr Young also pointed out that the board is looking to the future and the resumption in 2022 of the awards following the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He added: “We are also finalising plans to recruit new directors, and are keen to hear of anyone who may feel this role is right for them.”
Directors are drawn from Highland tourism businesses.
