The Storehouse of Foulis Caterers have been awarded Investors in People (IIP) status. The award comes at the end of a hectic first year in business, which also saw the company as finalists in the 'Taste of Scotland' awards.

The recent launch of their high quality 'Highland Tablet' has also kept the Storehouse of Foulis Caterers busy providing retail outlets from Lewis to Cumbria with the distinctive gold and blue packs.  The tablet has been selected by the team bidding to make Inverness and the Highlands Capital of Culture in 2008 to include as gifts to guests at forthcoming events hosted by Jack MacConnell in Edinburgh and by Helen Liddell and Sir Cameron Mackintosh at Dover House in London.

Catherine Brady of Storehouse of Foulis Caterers said: "A seasonally busy restaurant in a visitor attraction is a challenge in itself and one of our priorities as caterers is to ensure that we can operate all year round.  Developing our own range of products to sell out with the Storehouse is one way of helping us achieve this.

"The support we have had from RACE and their IIP team to take us through the Investors in People accreditation process has been invaluable in helping us to achieve our business objectives.  We recognise that our 12 staff, headed by Dinah Bolton are simply the best.  They are hard working, talented, committed and great fun."

Gordon Cox, chief executive of RACE said: "Seasonality is an issue faced by many of our tourism related small businesses in Ross-shire, and it is good to see a local business actively tackling this through diversification and staff training.

"I would like to congratulate the company on achieving Investors in People status, a national award which helps to promote the development of staff and skills."

Storehouse of Foulis is a visitor attraction situated on the shores of the Cromarty Firth near Evanton.  It features a Clan exhibition, gift shop and 70-seat restaurant.  A recent addition to the restaurant is a small delicatessen section which stocks a range of local produce including cheese, mueslis, preserves, confectionery, baking, beers & whiskies.