Four star Borders B&B is certified as fit for a king

Traquair House near Innerleithen has this week been awarded the Four Star Gold Quality Assurance (QA) Award from VisitScotland.

Often described as Scotland’s oldest inhabited house, Traquair received the award in recognition of its high standards from VisitScotland chief executive Malcolm Roughead, who made a special stop-off as part of a ‘Listening Tour’ in the Borders to meet with tourism businesses in the region.

Accepting the award was Catherine Maxwell-Stuart, 21st Lady of Traquair, who lives with her family in the ancestral home which was gifted to the 1st Laird of Traquair, by the Earl of Buchan way back in 1491.

Catherine said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the Four Star Gold Award from VisitScotland for our Bed and Breakfast accommodation.

“Adding this award to our Five Star Visitor Attraction status demonstrates the high standards and commitment we offer our visitors to ensure their experience is the very best.

“The B&B accommodation at Traquair House offers visitors the unique opportunity to experience a piece of living history.”

The Four Star Gold B&B grading recognises the high standards of Traquair House’s visitor accommodationin its latest grading. The ‘gold’ part of the QA award acknowledges the continuing attainment of outstanding customer service and hospitality.

Traquair House, which dates back to 1107 and is still lived in by the descendants of the Maxwell Stuart family, has also been graded a Five Star Visitor Attraction in the VisitScotland Visitor Attraction Scheme.

Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland, said while on his visit: “It is fantastic to get the opportunity to meet face to face with businesses like Traquair House, an excellent example of a business capitalising on its unique heritage and ancestry to develop a visitor experience of the highest quality in the region.

“Tourism is at the heart of economic success in the Scottish Borders – creating jobs and supporting communities.

“The industry currently supports over 3,200 jobs in the area and generates £71 million in revenue.

“The aim of today’s tour is to meet with industry leaders and discuss how we can continue to capitalise on the wealth of opportunities in the region and maximise the visitor economy.”