The team at The Leddie is celebrating a double success. General Manager Robert Clark has secured a prestigious leadership scholarship from HIT Scotland, while rising culinary talent Sam Currie has been shortlisted for Young Chef of the Year at the 2026 Scottish Excellence Awards.
HIT Scotland has selected Robert Clark for its highly regarded Art of Leadership Scholarship. The programme will take leading hospitality professionals to Lausanne, Switzerland, in April 2026. Participants will take part in an intensive leadership development programme designed to support the industry's next generation of leaders.
Robert has led The Leddie since its reopening in 2024. He brings more than 16 years of experience in Scotland's hospitality industry. Before joining The Leddie, he served as General Manager at The Scran & Scallie and The Bonnie Badger. These roles helped him build strong connections across East Lothian and Edinburgh's food and hospitality sector.
The award comes as The Leddie also celebrates the success of chef Sam Currie. Judges have shortlisted him for Young Chef of the Year at the upcoming Scottish Excellence Awards.
Sam joined The Leddie as a junior chef in 2024 and quickly established himself as one of the kitchen's brightest talents. Colleagues value his calm approach under pressure, refined technique and natural understanding of flavour. He has also helped create seasonal dishes that showcase the best of Scottish produce.
Together, these achievements highlight the strength of talent and leadership within The Leddie team. The Aberlady hotel continues to build its reputation for exceptional hospitality and high-quality food. Located just 30 minutes from Edinburgh and minutes from Gullane, The Leddie has become a popular destination on East Lothian's coast.
Robert Clark, General Manager of The Leddie, said:
"Hospitality is ultimately about people – supporting teams, creating opportunities and delivering memorable experiences for guests. Being awarded this scholarship from HIT Scotland is a real honour, and I'm looking forward to learning from industry peers and bringing fresh ideas back to The Leddie and our team."
Sam Currie added:
"Being shortlisted for Young Chef of the Year is incredibly exciting and a real confidence boost. Working at The Leddie has given me the chance to learn from a brilliant team and develop my skills every day. I'm passionate about using great Scottish ingredients and continuing to grow as a chef."
Sign up for our communications to receive the latest news and updates in East Lothian.
Please refer to our Privacy Policy.
