This week, Mr McLeod (34) paid tribute to his staff at Aurora Hotels and Resorts, and said it was their efforts which led to the success.

At the Scottish Hotel Awards 2009 on Sunday, the Aurora group was named Rising Star Hotel Business and Visionary Business of the Year, while Glenbervie House Hotel won Wedding Hotel of the Year and Airth Castle the Sales Team Performance award.

Days earlier, at the Scottish Hotel of the Year Awards, Airth and Glenbervie triumphed in the Rising Star Hotel of the Year large and small categories, Airth Castle was named Scottish Spa of the Year and Glenbervie the Rising Star Wedding Venue.

There were runner-up awards for Steven McLeod in the Scottish Hotelier of the Year, Airth Castle in the Scottish Business Hotel of the Year and Scottish Wedding Hotel of the Year categories and Aurora Hotels was runner-up in the Scottish Hotel Group of the Year.

Mr McLeod said: "These awards reflect the progress and expansion of the group and are a testament to the hard work of everyone involved in Aurora Hotels and Resorts.

"It is always nice when you are recognised for a job well done, especially as one in one of these awards the public at large take the time to vote for you, and the other is from experts and our peers."

The company has permission to transform the former Stirling Royal Infirmary into a boutique hotel and spa. It has lodged plans to turn Glenbervie House into a luxury spa resort and village, and this year acquired Melville Castle Hotel, near Edinburgh, which is getting an extensive refurbishment.