Team celebrates 570 years of long service!

Kingsmills Long Service Awards 2023

The Kingsmills Hotel Team proudly gathered on Sunday to celebrate the dedication of its longest-serving team members. More than 50 individuals, with over 5 years of service each, came together on Sunday. The celebratory lunch marked a collective achievement of over 570 years of service!

Tony Story thanks the team at hotel Long Service Awards

The glitzy event was hosted at the Kingsmills Hotel’s sister property, the 5-star Ness Walk, on the banks of River Ness. Owner and CEO Tony Story, presented each of the team with a personal thank you. And, the team also received a long-service gift, before guests enjoyed a three-course lunch with matching wines.

Following lunch, local singer Sarah Mackay performed a medley of hits. Having recently showcased her talents at the Kingsmills Hotel’s charity fundraising event, Stars in Their Eyes, supporting the local children’s charity SNAP.

Our Longest Serving Team

Craig Ewan, Group Operations Director, was among those recognised for their long service. Having joined the hotel 26 years ago. However, it was Hazel Crush, Reservations Manager, who has been part of the Kingsmills family for the longest. She celebrates just over 32 years of service!

The celebrations represent a proud moment for the Kingsmills Hotel, as tourism in the Highlands continues to go from strength to strength. HR Manager Rosemary Vacca, hopes these celebrations will inspire others to fall in love with hospitality. She describes the hotel as “a big family with great teamwork and a special bond that you do not find in other industries.”

A business all about people

The Kingsmills is proud of our loyal and dedicated team, providing employees with structured training and development, clear pathways for career advancement, complimentary leisure access and associate of the month awards, among other benefits. 

The Kingsmills Group remains keen to attract new talent into the sector. We are currently looking for applicants to join our certified 2-year Modern Apprenticeship programme. It is about to enter its seventh year this year. 

Tony Story says: “Our business is all about people and we are fortunate to have some of the best within our team.  Our success is very much based on the great service and warmth they show our guests. My most sincere thanks go to everyone single one of them. 

It was wonderful to celebrate and pay tribute to the outstanding service of our outstanding team. We all enjoyed a great day with cocktails, fine wines and wonderful food prepared by our Ness Walk brigade.”