Islay and Jura Marketing Group is run by a dedicated committee – all volunteers who give their time to champion what we have to offer on these islands and to ensuring your voice, as I in the tourism sector, is heard.
We thought you’d like to know a little more about the members who give their free time to running and developing IJMG.
Beky Logan – Chair
Beky has a hectic Islay life running Highroad Hideaways holiday pods, looking after two young children and running a croft with husband JJ.
Emma Clark – Vice-chair
Co-Chair of Explore Islay and Jura and Vice Chair of Argyll and the Isles Tourism Committee. Emma (pictured with husband Graeme) is an islander having been born and raised here on Islay and brought up at Bunnahabhain and then later at the South of the island. Emma studied for a degree in nursing at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen from 1995 and then in 1998 studied Hospitality Management in Glasgow for three years. Emma then started working in 2001 for a Japanese Pharmaceutical Company and spent 12 years in Brand Marketing and Sales. In 2003 Emma and her husband Graeme returned to Islay and now run the Five Star Glenegedale House. Her passion for tourism and making sure the visitor experience to Islay and Jura is the best it possibly can be, while ensuring it has a positive impact on our community, is always key to her drive. You can usually find Emma either immersed in her work, baking, representing Islay and Jura’s tourism sector somewhere or out exploring our beautiful islands.
Lucy Schwind – treasurer
With a background in managing learning and development across sectors such as construction, education, and care, Lucy brings extensive experience in coordination, organisation, and people management. Having fallen in love with Islay after many visits since 2012, she made the move permanent in 2023.
She now runs a bespoke sightseeing tour business on Islay and Jura, helping visitors discover the islands’ rich mix of attractions – from wildlife and whisky to local produce, food, and culture. Each tour is designed in partnership with the customer, with a strong focus on supporting local businesses and promoting sustainable tourism.
As Treasurer of the Islay Marketing Group, Lucy contributes her organisational skills to ensure clear, transparent, and effective oversight of the group’s finances.
Iain Hamilton – committee member
Iain was raised on Islay and returned to the island in 2018 with his young family to take up the position of General Manager at The Machrie. He is now manager of the Bridgend Hotel.
Prior to this role at The Machrie, Iain has spent four years managing the four-star Loch Lomond Arms Hotel where he oversaw extensive refurbishments to the hotel’s guest rooms, kitchen, lounge areas and bar. He has also held the role of General Manager at two four-star boutique hotels – Duisdale and Toravaig – on the Isle of Skye and was Deputy General Manager at Auchrannie Resort on the Isle of Arran overseeing the operation of the resort’s two hotels, two leisure clubs, spa and 30 lodges.
Iain has won notable awards for his services to the hospitality industry including being awarded Regional General Manager of the Year for Lomond and Argyll three years in a row at the Scottish Hotel Awards and Highly Commended – Best General Manager at the Prestige Hotel Awards. During his time at the Machrie he led to team to success at the Golf Hotel of the Year and the Scottish Hotel of the Year – where it was named national winner!!
Graeme Clark
Graeme has over thirty years within the hospitality industry having studied hospitality management and then going onto working in hotel and restaurant management throughout Scotland. Graeme laterly worked for a large training provider delivering work-based qualifications within hospitality and retail. Graeme has owned and run the Five Star Gold Glenegedale house for over eight years. Graeme’s knowledge of the tourism industry and its inner workings as well as the islands ensure our industry is well represented. Graeme is usually found either working, renovating or walking and exploring Islay with his family and dog.
Megan O’Mahoney – committee member
Megan is an Ileach, growing up on Islay and going to school at Islay High School. With a wealth of experience in hospitality, she is now Port Ellen Brand Home Co-ordinator for Diageo.
Carol-Ann MacTaggart – committee member
Carol-Ann, who comes from Bowmore, attended Islay High School there and worked at Lochside Hotel in Bowmore from 2005-2013. She then worked as Assistant Manager at the Bridgend Hotel, before taking up her new position as Visitor Centre Manager at Kilchoman.
Lucy McNiven – committee member
Lucy is Assistant Compliance Manager- Lagavulin & Caol Ila Brand Homes and is mainly based at Caol Ila distillery.