Cromarty based director Don Coutts, is on a winning streak!

Don scooped two prestigious Angel Awards at the Monaco International Film Festival last weekend (Saturday 10th Dec) with his film 'American Cousins' and is celebrating his co-operatively owned restaurant 'Sutor Creek', in Cromarty, being included as a newcomer in the latest edition of 'Scotland The Best' by Peter Irvine.

American Cousins has won numerous awards since it first premiered at the Highland Festival and has now added the Angel Awards for Best Script and Best Cast to its accolades.

Don, his partner Lindy Cameron, who edited the film, and Donald Shaw, of the band Capercaillie, who wrote the score for the film, were guests at the festival.

Talking about appearing at the Festival and winning the Awards, Don Coutts said: "I am so pleased to have been able to showcase my work at this event and to have received these Awards, it means a lot to have the film recognised in this way.

"I should have had a flutter in the casinos of Monte Carlo during our visit as my luck certainly seems to be in at the moment with our restaurant being recognised in 'Scotland The Best' which has been described as the guide to help you experience all that is excellent about Scotland."

Donald Shaw was joined by fellow members of Capercaillie Karen Matheson and Charlie McKerron and musicians Eilidh Shaw and Ross Martin to perform at a reception for 100 invited guests after the film screening on Friday 9th of December.

The reception was hosted by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), in partnership with GoEvents, the Scottish Highlands and Islands Film Commission (SHIFC), and BAFTA Scotland to celebrate the showing of 'American Cousins' at such a prestigious event.

Iain Hamilton, creative industries manager at HIE, said: "It's great that Don's film achieved such acclaim at the festival.  The whole event gave us an excellent opportunity to promote not just the work Don does but the Highlands and Islands as a whole package and the many opportunities it offers to those involved in any of the creative industries. 

"Musical talent from the area in the shape of members of the Celtic band Capercaillie and other Highland based musicians went down a storm when they performed at the reception.  They attracted lots of interest and it was great to see everyone dancing and enjoying the atmosphere.

"The event was an excellent opportunity to make links between the Highlands and Islands and an international audience giving us the opportunity to build quality relationships for the future.

"Two of the musicians, Ross Martin and Eilidh Shaw were certainly building quality relationships at the event - they returned home with a stunning diamond engagement ring and we wish them both the best of luck in the future!"