Moray mill wins prestigious tourism award

A MORAY firm has been hailed by industry chiefs for the experience it offers tourists.

Johnstons of Elgin took the award for Best Heritage Tourism Experience at the 2019 Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards (HITA).

Established in 1797, Johnstons is the only vertical mill in Scotland and visitors touring the Newmill site can look on as raw cashmere and wool fibres are transformed into luxury garments.

The firm, which has over 1000 full-time employees, is one of the largest independent employers in the Elgin area.

This year, Johnstons has accommodated 33 secondary school visits and nine primary school visits to the Elgin and Hawick Mills, helping to educate the next generation about the textile industry and the opportunities it holds.

CEO Simon Cotton said: "The Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards is one of the highlights in the Scottish tourism calendar and to win Best Heritage Tourism Experience is fantastic recognition of the hard work and dedication of our exceptional teams.

"Last year alone we committed £4.5 million in new investments including a flagship store in Edinburgh and expansion of our knitting mill in Hawick.

"As we continue to invest in technology, the most important investment is on our people and I’m proud to say we have three skilled generations of one family working in our mill in Elgin.

"Our tourism offering continues to go from strength to strength, and to be at the forefront of this fast-moving sector is fantastic not only for our growing brand, but for our local community and employees in Elgin."

Laurence Young, chairman of the HITA board, also commented: "The awards are such a key part of the industry and we’re delighted to celebrate the effort, skill and success of Johnstons of Elgin and their contribution to driving the sector forward.

"We were incredibly impressed with Johnstons’ investment in their craftspeople and technology. From offering a range of foreign languages on their mill tours to their ethos in sourcing local produce, it's clear their surrounding communities are at the heart of everything they do."

Winners of HITA awards – except for the Highland Ambassador and Highland Rising Star – automatically qualify for a place in the nationals, the Scottish Thistle Awards, which are due to take place in March 2020.

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