A PEEBLES guest house has been crowned the best in the country.

Kingsmuir House was named as the AA’s Guest Accomodation of the Year for Scotland. The AA inspect and rate over 2,300 B&Bs throughout the country.

And the annual B&B Awards at the Landmark Hotel in London recognises and rewards the very best. Kingsmuir owners, Malcolm and Karen Mullarkey, received the coveted title at the glitzy awards bash. Malcolm said: “This is such a privilege for Kingsmuir House to be recognised by one of the industry’s leading names and to win the AA Guest Accommodation of the Year for Scotland 2015 for the customer service and hospitality we provide. “We started with the ethos 'to provide the warmth of a B&B with the comfort, style and luxury of a small intimate hotel,’ I hope we have achieved this and continue to improve and enhance our service on an ongoing basis.” All of the winners at the event were nominated by the team of expert AA Inspectors.

Malcolm and Karen bought the house in 2004 and after years of renovation welcomed their first guests in January 2012.

A spokesman for the AA said: “Kingsmuir House is located in picturesque Peebles and offers guests a personal, homely and elegant experience. The two stunning suites retain many of the original features of the Victorian built home with touches of modern luxury. “Malcolm and Karen aim to exceed guests’ expectations and the added treats such as homemade chocolate truffles, shortbreads and fresh flowers all make the welcome so special at Kingsmuir House.”