Article Source: Stirling PR
Last Updated: 19 November 2018 15:32
A unique Stirlingshire holiday home has picked up a top regional tourism award from Visit Scotland.
Helicopter Glamping at Mains Farm Wigwams, Thornhill won the Innovation in Tourism category at the Thistle Awards – the tourism industry’s answer to the ‘Oscars’ – held at Prestonfield House, Edinburgh (15 November).
Owner Louise Cross said: “We’re honoured to have landed this award for Innovation in Tourism. Our business has really taken off since launching Helicopter Glamping last year. So much so that we’ve had to expand our team to keep up with customer demand. By creating a unique experience, we’ve attracted visitors to rural Scotland from all over the world. We’ve even had guests from as far afield as Australia! We’re delighted be recognised for all our hard work restoring the helicopter to her former glory and transforming her interior into something very special. We can’t wait to get cracking on our next glamping project, a Scottish Twin Pioneer plane!”
As featured on Channel 4’s Amazing Spaces, Helicopter Glamping is one of Scotland’s most unusual places to stay.
The retired Royal Navy Sea King was purchased at a MOD auction in 2016 and converted into a holiday home by Louise and her husband Martyn Steedman.
The helicopter offers a unique experience for tourists with a quirky bed in the tail and a spectacular cockpit seating area with panoramic views of the stunning Stirlingshire countryside.
Since being launched in March 2017 the 17m long Sea King has become a visitor attraction in its own right and has given the rural economy a huge boost, attracting visitors from as far afield as Australia.
The spectacular transformation even won the seal of approval of the Royal Navy, who flew two Sea Kings into Thornhill to pay their old helicopter a visit.
Image: Pictured L-R are:
Fiona Richmond (award presenter and Vice Chair Scotland Food & Drink), Lesley Wilkinson (Stirling PR), Alan Burke, Martyn Steedman, Louise Cross (all Mains Farm Wigwams) and Jennifer Reoch (host and former Miss Scotland).
Noughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MOREMacdonald Hotels, one of the UK’s most popular independent hotel groups, invites you to join them for an Easter break to remember.
READ MOREA mass gathering of heavy horses assembled at the home of Scotland’s iconic Kelpies structures today (Tuesday, March 26) in celebration of the forthcoming 10th anniversary.
READ MOREDobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MOREThe search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MOREThis year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MOREA host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MOREA range of Stirling’s outstanding independent business owners were rewarded with trophies last night at the city’s annual Business Awards.
READ MORESpring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MOREFull cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MOREDobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MOREA sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland is going hopping mad for Easter and hosting a bumper 35 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care this spring.
READ MOREStirling’s business community is getting ready to celebrate at the city’s annual awards for independent traders.
READ MOREExcavation work on a Pictish stone of potential ‘international significance’, discovered buried in a cemetery near Doune, will begin within the next fortnight.
READ MOREGreat Run 2024 series highlights inspirational stories from runners around the UK.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is bringing back its much-loved Easter event, inviting families to hop along to their nearest store and enjoy an Easter Bunny Breakfast egg-stravaganza.
READ MOREFriday 8th March marks International Women's Day and to celebrate Vue is set to screen four inspiring films which follow the achievements of incredible female leads.
READ MORENew research released by VisitScotland reveals the growing popularity of Scottish traditional music, finding that over a third of Scots (34%) are listening to it more often in the past year.
READ MOREThe public was treated to a surprise choir performance against the backdrop of the National Wallace Monument in Stirling to mark Marie Curie's Day of Reflection this weekend.
READ MOREA stellar line-up of authors are set to take Paisley by storm at this year's Paisley Book Festival in April!
READ MOREThe AJ Bell Great Scottish Run is back on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October, and the Earlybird offer to save up to £8 off your entry ends this Friday 1st March at 10am.
READ MOREA Scottish author's poignant tale of generosity and kindness has raised £2,262 to help the homeless.
READ MOREDobbies is offering customers the chance to treat the mother figures in their lives to an indulgent Mother's Day Afternoon Tea experience and a special flower gift on March 9th & 10th.
READ MORESTEP, in partnership with Forth Valley Food and Drink, is thrilled to announce a series of engaging business events throughout March.
READ MOREA project involving the University of Stirling, Stirling Council and a group of volunteers has uncovered a historic folly on the university grounds.
READ MOREAn Impassioned photo-led exhibition that depicts the challenge, pride and responsibility felt by those working in Scotland’s fishing industry is to debut within the Scottish Parliament.
READ MOREThe Scottish Influencer Awards, the major awards ceremony celebrating Scotland's stars of social, has announced the full shortlist of nominees in the running to be named the Influencer of the Year.
READ MOREDobbies is encouraging gardeners of all ages and skill levels across the country to get one of their 5 a day by learning how to grow soft fruits at one of its free workshops in March.
READ MOREScotland's largest wedding showcase, The Scottish Wedding Show, returns to Glasgow this Valentine's weekend and is putting love on display as the country celebrates 10 years of same sex marriage.
READ MORE