A North Berwick editor has won a national prize after showing “determination and grit” to succeed.

Isla Aitken, of Marmion Road, was awarded the prize for Overcoming Adversity at the Association of Scottish Businesswomen (ASB) conference and national business awards in Edinburgh on November 7.

A freelance sub-editor at the Courier, Isla was praised by judges for overcoming an accident which hospitalised her in her 20s, making a move to Scotland from London, then facing breast cancer in 2017, before she launched her business, Green Gables Editing, in 2019 – just before Covid hit.

Isla, 50, said: “It’s certainly been a rollercoaster!

“I’m just hugely grateful to my family, my lovely husband Michael, and my incredibly kind friends for always being there for me and supporting me through the evolution of my career.”

Judge Elaine Guthrie said: “Isla has been driven to succeed despite hitting various hurdles and challenges along the way.”

Isabel McNicoll, co-president of ASB, said: “The ASB conference is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Scottish women in business and highlight their successes and achievements.

“Isla really impressed judges with her determination and grit and we’re delighted for her.”