THE team at a 16th-century tower are celebrating after clinching a national award.

Fenton Tower was one of four finalists in the Best Exclusive Use Venue category at the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards.

The accommodation, at Kingston, south of North Berwick, held off the challenge of fellow East Lothian venue Gilmerton House, as well as Cluny Castle and Dunskey Estate, to take home the accolade.

Alan Thomson, manager of the winning venue, described the feeling when the winner was announced at the awards ceremony, held in the National Trust for Scotland’s Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre at Inverness. He said: “It was shock to start with – shock and disbelief.

“Fenton Tower is one of the longest graded five-star exclusive use properties in Scotland. We have won several awards in the past.

“It was quite humbling to be crowned the Best Exclusive Use Venue. It is quite nice to know we are doing as good a job 20 years later.”

'Above and beyond'

Mr Thomson has been manager of Fenton Tower – which has been restored to provide luxury accommodation for up to 13 guests, alongside additional accommodation within Fenton Lodge and Hillside Cottage for a further eight guests – for nearly 17 years.

The business employs about 10 people, with the number rising to up to 40 with part-time seasonal staff.

The Scottish Golf Tourism Awards have been running for more than a decade.

They were formed to celebrate the outstanding achievements within the Scottish golf tourism industry, recognising the finest courses, hotels and experiences that have helped shape the country’s reputation as a world-class golfing destination.

Mr Thomson told the Courier that the fact the winners of the awards were decided by a panel of industry peers also meant a lot.

He said: “I think we have always gone above and beyond in terms of the guest services that we offer.”