Jolene Levy, a young hospitality professional from the small village of Port Appin on the Argyll coast, has been shortlisted as one of top three rising stars in the Highlands and Islands for 2026.
Levy, 29, from The Pierhouse Hotel and The Linnhe Storehouse & Café, has was selected by a panel of judges for this year’s Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards, which will take place at Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness on Friday 9th October.
These annual awards cover all the regions of the Highlands and Islands, from Argyll in the west, to Moray in the east, and Orkney and Shetland in the north.
Levy is the only contender from Argyll to have secured a place on this year’s ‘Rising Star’ category shortlist, which celebrates young people within the Scottish tourism, hospitality or events industry who are at the start of their working career, as well as those who have made a career change and are new to the industry.
Jolene joined The Pierhouse Hotel in 2020 as a restaurant supervisor, before taking on the role of café manager at The Linnhe Storehouse & Café’ overlooking Castle Stalker and Loch Linnhe, which was launched by The Pierhouse team in spring 2026.
She played an instrumental role in the planning and development of the café, demonstrating initiative, organisational skill, and a clear vision for its success.
Jolene has successfully completed a degree in international business and human resource management in Glasgow, alongside a hospitality management course through HIT Scotland.
She has also achieved the WSET Level 1 and 2 Award in Wines and Spirits, further enhancing her product knowledge and service expertise.
During her studies, Jolene remained closely connected to the teams at The Pierhouse and The Linnhe, returning each summer season to continue her role. She said: “It’s a huge privilege to be named as a rising star in hospitality and tourism for the Highlands and Islands region.
“A massive thank you goes to my team and friends at The Pierhouse and The Linnhe for their ongoing support. Pierhouse Hotel manager, Fiona McLean, has provided me with invaluable mentorship, which has given me the confidence to grow into my current role and make so much progress with my career in such a short space of time.”
McLean added: “We’re so proud of Jolene for this massive achievement. Over the last six years, Jolene has proven herself as a shining example of next generation talent.
“Her leadership potential, passion and ambition have been key ingredients for delivering exceptional guest experiences at both The Pierhouse and The Linnhe.
“Throughout her time with us, Jolene has grown significantly in confidence, taking on greater responsibility and demonstrating her ability to lead effectively in a fast-paced environment,” said McLean.
“Jolene’s journey reflects not only her commitment to the industry but also her ambition to grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact. Her progression from supervisor to manager, her academic achievements and hands-on involvement in launching a new venture has helped secure her place on this year’s ‘Rising Star’ shortlist and we wish her every success.”
Regional winners will automatically progress as finalists to the Scottish Thistle Awards National Final in November 2026.
