I was very sorry to hear about the death of Stewart Spence. We met a number of years ago when I interviewed him; he was an inspiration. His obituary is on page 31. This month, I caught up with Beth Rehman—she too is inspirational. She runs the Perle Hotel Group and recently celebrated receiving the King’s Award for Enterprise Meanwhile, I asked Nicola Young to take a look at AI and compare a few of the providers. She asked them to outline a marketing plan. It really is fascinating— I’d be curious to learn what you think. Manorview celebrated their profit share this month, and the crew celebrated. See the pictures on page 26. Last, but not least, we have a preview of ScotHot on page 22.

This month we asked some hoteliers to let us know their plans and predictions for 2025 See what they have to say on page 10. We also have an interview with Annie Gracie-Gunn, the woman behind the Sonas Collection who operates a raft of hotels in Skye and the Highlands. She is certainly a glass half-full kind of person. I popped in to the newly renovated Pine Trees Hotel in Pitlochry. What a superb renovation by Apex.

This month we visit Mar Hall last and talk to Joe Gallacher about its plans for 2025. Ken McCulloch sadly passed away in November. He was an industry legend and helped raise standards in Scotland with his first class boutique hotels. This issue we have reprinted an interview Susan Young did with him a few years ago. Plus the new look Hotel Indigo in Edinburgh, Beira in Inverness and 1635 at The Knipnoch Hotel.

Congrats to all the hotels that picked up awards at our sister publications annual awards including Manorview, Black Ivy, The Lochrin at the Moxy Fountainbridge, Forbes of Kingennie and Montpeliers. Pics on page 13. We also caught up with Craig Munro who took over as General Manager of the AC Marriott Glasgow just over 18 months. Plus the newly opened Spa at The Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries and The Resident in Edinburgh.

This month I headed to Inverness to catch up with Guy Crawford of Highland Coast Hotels. He has travelled the world carving out a career in hospitality. Plus Angela Vickers CEO of Apex Hotels, HIT dinner, The Leddie, formerly Ducks Inn at Aberlady and Prestwick has a new hotel, DeiRa Hotel & Apartments.

Dee Bruce who heads up the AC Marriot in Inverness. Extended news New hotels. Design features with Brig o’Doon, The Rutland Hotel, House of Gods. Scotland’s Best Hotel Bar - sponsored by Molinari Extra, voting closes soon. To vote just head over to www.scottishbarandpubawards.com

Marcello Ventisei of Kimpton Blythswood, The Brisbane House Hotel in Largs, Mhairi Wilson on hotel trends and the new Scottish Hate Crime Legislation. Scotland’s Best Hotel Bar - sponsored by Molinari Extra. If you would like to put yours forward head over to www.scottishbarandpubawards.com

Andrew Deighan of the Doubletree Hilton in Glasgow, Cameron House in Hotel Focus, the new Address Hotel plus the HIT Talent Conference and Social Engineering feature.

The Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries with The Wallaces, the new W Edinburgh, hotel trends for 2024 plus property for sale and new appointments plus extended news.

The new Copper Beech Cocktail Lounge at Lochgreen House Hotel in Troon from Costley & Costley, the refreshed Radisson Blu in Glasgow plus recent and a gallery of pictures from the HIT Edinburgh lunch.

Jonathan Doherty the dynamo behind the WORQ Group. What to consider when looking for finance, Alastair Roy on Procurement, and we take a look at the Glasgow Virgin Hotel. Plus lots of news.

Jordan Charles, Meldrum House Hotel, the new look Brig O Doon, Procurement, all the news plus industry special on the demise of cookies.

Barry Makin, the General Manager of Cromlix House Hotel, The Torridon Hotel on Sustainability. News, pics from HIT Scotland dinner and regular procurement from Alastair Roy.