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Hospitality legend James Thomson speaks to Susan Young

Prestonfield was looking magnificent when I visited. The sun was shining, its lawn was perfectly manicured and fluttering in the breeze were a multitude of bright red parasols and a peacock was majestically strolling around. It was a sight to lift your spirits. I was there to catch up with James Thomson the fabled hotelier and restaurateur who is a Scottish legend.

The protocols were all in place from the meet and greet, to the hand sanitiser and temperature control – but the hotel itself was as familiar with its baroque-style glamour and just as immaculate.

James greeted me on the outdoor terrace which overlooks the hotel’s ground, a perfect place to have a relaxing chat.

It’s certainly been a dramatic year for us all, James is no exception. He tells me, “I’ve been very busy. I’ve probably worked harder in the past year than I have in the last 40 because I’ve only had a really small team around me. See the magazine for the full story.