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About the award 

The AA Lifetime Achievement Award, introduced in 2006, recognises professionals within the hospitality industry who have committed their lives to the pursuit of perfection within their discipline. Winners of this award are to be congratulated for making significant fundamental contributions to the industry which have had a notable impact, and must have demonstrated a lifetime commitment to progress in their field.

James Thomson OBE DL MI

James is one of Scotland’s best-known independent restaurateurs and hoteliers. In 1979, at the age of 20, he launched his first restaurant at The Witchery. This original restaurant remains an integral part of the Edinburgh scene.

In 1999, James opened Edinburgh’s first rooftop restaurant, the Tower Restaurant, which successfully operated until 2020. In 2003, James became the owner of Prestonfield House. A major refurb transformed it into a luxury AA 5-Star hotel. It remains one of Scotland’s finest.

For over 40 years he has supported students at Edinburgh College, and is a founding patron of Springboard UK, helping disadvantaged people get into the industry. He also founded the annual fundraising ‘Lunch with an Old Bag’, and the ’One pound on a bill’ donation initiative. James does all this quietly, in the background with no fanfare or great attention. There are few others in our industry that can match his contribution.