A TILLICOULTRY Bed and Breakfast has been awarded the highest possible tourism accolade by VisitScotland.

Wyvis B&B in Stirling Street has been upgraded from a Five Star B&B to Five Star Gold.

The former Victorian mill workers’ cottage has been a member of VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance Scheme for the last 23 years.

The gold award recognises serviced accommodation businesses which consistently achieve the highest levels of excellence within their VisitScotland star grading, including customer care and hospitality.

Irene Goddard, who runs the accommodation with her husband Terry, said, “My husband and I were both overwhelmed and humbled to receive VisitScotland’s Five Star Gold award as we had not been expecting it. It has been an amazing journey over the years to and we are absolutely delighted. Being the only business to achieve this award in the Forth Valley & Trossachs area makes this even more special.

“Terry and I love meeting people and we have had many interesting guests, from all over the world, stay with us over the past 23 years. We pride ourselves in welcoming our guests as strangers and saying goodbye to them as friends and our objective is to provide each one of them with a memorable stay so they will return.

“We do this by ensuring that we understand their needs and provide them with advice on the local area and best places to eat out and also try to be innovative adding that extra touch to make them feel really special, particularly if it is a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon or other special occasion.” VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance Scheme currently boasts over 7000 participants.

Liz Buchanan, VisitScotland Regional Director, said, “Accommodations such as Wyvis B&B, who continue to provide such a high level of service to their visitors, are doing an amazing job in attracting people not just to stay here but to return, year after year.

“Wyvis B&B should also be congratulated on setting an excellent example in this, Scotland’s Homecoming year, to other businesses who can be capitalizing on what 2014 can bring in terms of tourism to Clackmannanshire, Stirlingshire and indeed Scotland.”