Amazing authors of the future were recognised at a special Book Festival event on Saturday 17th July at Crieff Hydro Resort, with families enjoying an afternoon of fun to celebrate.
The event marked the launch of a limited-edition bedtime story book curated by Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels which includes a collection of short stories written by children across the country, shortlisted from more than 300 competition entries received earlier this year.
Judge authors John Bray, Helen Grant and Susy McPhee were on hand to present prizes, including their very own copy of the special book, to the age category winners – Daisy McCulloch from Crieff (age 5), fourteen-year-old Chloe Aitken from Penicuik (age 14) and Clara Kooyman from Archway in North London (age 11).
The winners, those shortlisted and other guests were treated to a fantastic performance from iconic children’s entertainers, The Singing Kettle, and also enjoyed a picnic lunch and lots of fun at the resort’s Adventure Park.
Thirty stories from children aged 5-14 have been included in the story book which will be available at all eight hotels in the Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels.
Nic Oldham, Head of Customer and Commercial at Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, said: “We were thrilled to welcome some of the budding authors who took part in the competition and their families to the event, which proved to be the perfect launch for our Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels bedtime story book.
“It was wonderful for the children to see their imaginative tales in print for the first time and everyone thoroughly enjoyed The Singing Kettle’s performance and other activities on the day. A huge thank you to everyone who made the competition such a success, including our author judges, illustrators and – of course – the talented young writers who shared their stories with us.”
Category winner Daisy McCulloch, aged five from Crieff, said: “It was really exciting to hear my story being read out at the event, seeing Captain Bluebeak brought to life and getting my very own copy of the book. I loved meeting everyone, being at Crieff Hydro and seeing The Singing Kettle!”
NOTES TO EDITOR
Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels
Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels is a family of eight hotels all set within iconic Scottish locations. Whether that be Perthshire, the Scottish Borders, the Highlands or Dundee, The Family includes something for everyone. From 10 to 215 bedrooms, onsite activities, various dining options, corporate events, team building, and leisure facilities.
Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels includes Crieff Hydro, Peebles Hydro, Murraypark Hotel in Crieff, The Park Hotel in Peebles, The Isles of Glencoe, Ballachulish Hotel, Kingshouse Hotel also in Glencoe and Taypark House in Dundee.
For more information please log onto: https://www.crieffhydrofamily.com/
Stephen Leckie, Chairman and CEO of Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels
Stephen Leckie is Chairman and CEO of Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels. Mr Leckie heads up a family of seven hotels and is the fifth generation in his family to do so. Stephen is chairman of the Scottish Tourism Alliance and is President of the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce. He is an active member of the industry voice UK Hospitality and a member of the Scottish Government’s Tourism Leadership Group, responsible for overseeing the delivery of the national tourism strategy Tourism Scotland 2030. Since 2019 Stephen has represented her Majesty the Queen, as Lord-Lieutenant for Perth & Kinross.
FURTHER INFORMATION
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