The quality of tourism in Argyll and the Islands has received national acclaim with three local companies scooping top wards at the Scottish Tourist Board's annual ceremony, and two more reaching the finals.

The Isle of Arran Taste Trail, a visitors' guide to good food and eating out on Arran, earned Argyll & the Islands Enterprise (AIE), part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Network, the Area Tourism Initiative award. The project was set up in 1998 to promote the island as a destination with a reputation for high quality food. A recent survey to measure its effectiveness found that the guide successfully met its aims of encouraging people to eat out more often and spend more on local products. It also found that a high proportion - 88 per cent of visitors interviewed, would be influenced by the high standards of Arran's food when making a decision to return.

Kilmeny Guest House on the Isle of Islay was named Bed &Breakfast of the Year, a crowning achievement for owner Margaret Rozga who has developed and improved her accommodation over 24 years. From 'Listed Commended' at the start of the Tourist Board's classification and grading scheme she has risen to the prestigious '5 Star Award'.

Argyll's strength in environmental tourism was highlighted with two of the three nominations in the Tourism and the Environment category coming from the area. The winner, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is a charitable organisation based on the Isle of Mull, which aims to raise awareness of the marine mammals living off Scotland's west coast. In addition to providing boat tours, the Trust offers a year round programme of educational events and training opportunities at their Marine Discovery Centre.

Machrie Guest House, on Islay - the second nomination in this category was commended as an example of successful business principles being combined with a desire to sustain the natural environment for future generations.

Kilmartin House Museum, an organisation that is no stranger to awards, was the final Argyll short listing in the Cultural Tourism category. At last week's Museum of the Year awards, the Kilmartin House Museum won 'Best Publication by a Museum' for their visitor guide.

Ken Abernethy, chief executive of AIE said: "The high number of businesses from Argyll and the Islands recognised in the Thistle Awards demonstrates the quality tourism product that the area has to offer. Thistle award winners in Argyll and the Islands have all received assistance from AIE, either through business expansion projects or our various training courses. This highlights our commitment to helping boost tourism in the area.

"I am particularly pleased that the Isle of Arran Taste Trail picked up the Area Tourism Initiative award. Our staff worked extremely hard establishing this project and I would also like to thank writer, Catherine Brown for her assistance."