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A professional wildlife photographer has beaten off stiff competition from other travel and tourism businesses across Scotland to win the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust / Moffat Charitable Trust Awards for Travel & Tourism at a ceremony in Glasgow.

Argyll-based Philip Price (28), founder of Loch Visions, www.lochvisions.co.uk, scooped the overall title for the best tourism business with outstanding economic and community impact, as well as a £1500 cash prize. Price runs one-day wildlife photography experiences at an estate near Loch Awe. The 22-acre woodland estate boasts viewing platforms, hides and forest glade meadows enabling visitors to observe a variety of wildlife in their natural habitat. As well as providing one-day packages for amateurs, which include technical instruction, camera equipment and lunch, Philip offers tailored packages for experienced photographers, including specially organised trips to seal and puffin colonies.

The Moffat awards, which are run by the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT), recognise outstanding young businesses demonstrating best practice, excellent customer service and positive economic and community impact in the Scottish travel and tourism sector. They were unveiled in July last year thanks to The Moffat Charitable Trust, which has pledged almost £300,000 to support the Awards.

£1000 cash prizes went to Ayrshire entrepreneur, Ross McKinnon founder of Amazing Days Scotland, who won the award for best customer service; and Steve Mitchell founder of Puddledub Buffalo farm in Fife, who won the award for personal growth and development.

Last year PSYBT supported over 80 tourism businesses offering goods and services that enhance the community and overall visitor experience of Scotland.  Commenting PSYBT chief executive Mark Strudwick said “Today’s winners are shining examples of the large numbers of young entrepreneurs who are playing a leading role in creating outstanding visitor attractions and experiences in Scotland. It is thanks to The Moffat Charitable Trust, that the contribution and positive community impact of young businesses such as those here today, are being recognised.”

Speaking on behalf of The Moffat Charitable Trust, Mr Jamie Moffat said, “We are delighted to be supporting young people who have a passion for business, to play a leading role in enhancing tourism in Scotland. The judging was extremely difficult but today’s finalists are very worthy winners.”

Ends

Issued on behalf of PSYBT by Jen Nash, Panache Communications tel. 07971 466 220 Email jen@panachecommunications.co.uk. For more information please contact Margaret Gibson or Louise Moore on Tel no. 0141 248 4999 or visit the PSYBT website at www.psybt.org.uk.

Notes to editors:

PSYBT was launched in January 1989 and is a national organisation with offices in 18 Regions across Scotland.  To date 8545 (10,118 proprietors) businesses have been assisted with £30.9m awarded - £27.5m in loans (89%) and £3.4m in grants (11%).

The Moffat Trust is named after one of Scotland’s best known names in the travel and tourism industry, Mr Jim Moffat, co-founder of A.T. Mays. Founded in Saltcoats in Ayrshire in the 1950s as All Travel by Mr Jim Moffat and his wife Margie Moffat, A.T. Mays grew to become the third largest travel group in the UK, eventually employing over 2500 people.

Philip Price - Loch Visions

    Phone         01866 833 272

    email           philipvprice@lochvisions.co.uk

                        www.lochvisions.co.uk

Ross McKinnon - Amazing Days Scotland

    Phone         01563 550447 or 07748 075222

    email:          ross@amazingdays-scotland.com

    website:    www.amazingdays-scotland.com

Stephen Mitchell - Puddledub Buffalo Ltd

    Phone         01592 780087

    Email          steve@puddledubbuffalo.co.uk

    web site      www.puddledubbuffalo.co.uk