Gulf Ballinluig nominated at the Forecourt Trader 2026 Awards
A Gulf service station on the A9 in Pitlochry, Scotland has been shortlisted for ‘Best Customer Service’ at the Forecourt Trader 2026 Awards. Being hailed as ‘The Friendliest Service Station in Scotland’ by news outlets, we’re delving into what makes it so special.
Proudly family run
Since 1970, Gulf Ballinluig has been under the care of the Bridges family, after Clive Bridges purchased the site decades ago. Now, the site is led by Clive’s daughter Claire – alongside her trusted sidekick, Pickles the Spanish Greyhound. He’s very popular with locals, happily greeting customers in his uniform.
A service station worthy of comedy royalty
Along with a versatile shop, the station is also kitted out with a Costa Express, free overnight HGV parking for drivers to rest and recharge, and a newly refurbished Ballinluig Motorgrill serving hot food. All these facilities have attracted some famous faces, including comedy legend Billy Connolly, who’s been known to stop during his visits to Highland Perthshire.
More than just a place to fuel up
Owner Claire said: “We’ve always strived to make Ballinluig somewhere more than just a place to stop for fuel. Whether it’s helping a stranded motorist, delivering essentials to local people during difficult weather or simply taking the time to chat with our regular customers, it’s those personal connections that matter most. To be recognised nationally for that is something we’re incredibly proud of.”
Another award nomination for Gulf
Alongside Ballinluig’s nomination at the Forecourt Trader Awards, Gulf Retail’s FuelSense pricing compliance platform has also been shortlisted in the ‘Best Oil Company Initiative’ category. This award nomination underlines Gulf’s commitment to supporting independent retailers through regulatory change, while equipping them with powerful, data-driven pricing tools.
FuelSense is just one of the many ways to work to add value for retailers. Jenny Lockwood, Certas UK’s Head of Retail Dealer, says the firm is “committed to providing our nationwide network of Gulf dealers with the tools and resources to provide the very best customer experience, adding: “FuelSense offers ‘in the moment’ data, enabling our dealers to track and respond quickly to market changes, ensuring pricing is always in line with the government’s recent fuel pricing legislation.”
Community is at the heart of what we do
We’re proud to be a part of great communities across the UK through inspiring forecourt owners like the Bridges.
Claire and the Ballinluig Services team will find out if they have won at the London ceremony in October, and we wish them the best of luck!
