FROM pulling pints behind a Kilwinning bar to co-owning 16 venues of his own, it has been quite the journey for local entrepeneur Colin Blair.

The co-owner of Buzzworks Holdings, who own numerous venues in Ayrshire as well as the rest of Scotland, was beaming with pride after scooping a top prize at the "hospitality Oscars".

Colin took home the DRAM Lifetime Achievement Award at the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2022 as way of honouring his 44 years in the hospitality game.

Buzzworks Holdings has become one Scotland’s fastest-growing independent restaurant and bar operators, with venues across East, West and Central Scotland with more on the way and over 650 staff.

The company has also won many individual accolades for many of its Ayrshire venues, which include The Corner House in Kilwinning, Scotts in Largs and Troon, Lido in Troon, Vic’s & The Vine in Prestwick and their latest Ayrshire venture, The Fox in Troon.

Speaking after receiving his award, Colin said: “I am absolutely over the moon and humbled to receive such a prestigious accolade which reflects all of the incredible hard work put in by all of those involved in our family business.

“It is an honour to be recognised for our achievements and to see our business continue to flourish even after a challenging few years. I can’t wait to see what else the future holds for Buzzworks.”

This was the 27th year of the Scottish Bar and Pub awards, which were celebrated with a glitzy ceremony on August 30.

More than 600 people from Scotland's licensed trade gathered together to celebrate the award winners and finalists and to party to tribute band AbbaMANIA - who also performed at Irvine's Making Waves festival.

Colin's lifetime achievement award was sponsored by DRAM magazine, a monthly on-trade magazine for pubs, bars restaurants and hotels. Editor and owner of the magazine, Susan Young, commented on the Buzzworks co-owner's award success.

She said: “Colin Blair has been in the hospitality industry for some 44 years and his passion for creating great places to spend time in, his passion for doing things really well, and his determination to be the best you can has helped created one of Scotland’s most successful hospitality businesses - Buzzworks.

“He is not afraid to take calculated risks, his attention to detail is legendary, he has evolved the business, adapting and being progressive at every turn, and is a leader in the true sense of the word.

"He convinces others to follow his lead and inspires confidence in other people and moves them to action.  He is an inspiration to all that know him and that is why he is our 2022 recipient of the DRAM Lifetime Achievement Award."