North of Scotland tourism providers shine as Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards shortlist revealed – Scottish Business News

The shortlist for the 2024 Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards (HITA) has been revealed – celebrating hotels, restaurants, activity providers, and tourism businesses across the north of Scotland.

Over 40 businesses and individuals have been named as finalists in the annual celebration of tourism and hospitality excellence.

The winners will be revealed at a glitzy awards ceremony and gala dinner at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness on Friday, October 4.

The shortlist is:

• Best B&B or Guest House Experience – Blervie House, Forres; Broad Bay House, Lewis; Dunnet Bay Escapes, Dunnet; Glenegedale House, Islay
• Best Bar or Pub – Johnny Foxes and The Den, Inverness; Scotch & Rye, Inverness; The Station Bar, Alness
• Best Eating Experience – Downright Gabbler, Beauly; One One Two Wine Bar and Eatery, Nairn; The Dipping Lugger, Ullapool
• Best Hotel Experience – Links House at Royal Dornoch, Dornoch; Ness Walk, Inverness; The Dowans Hotel, Aberlour
• Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience – Nevis Range, Fort William; Seabirds-and-Seals – The Original Noss Boat Tours, Shetland; Shetland Seabird Tours – The Noss Boat, Shetland
• Best Self-Catering or Unique Stay – Borve Lodge Estate, Harris; Hideaway Under the Stars, Aberlour; Kabn Company, Loch Fyne
• Best Visitor Attraction – Islay Sea Adventures, Islay; Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge; Shetland Seabird Tours – The Noss Boat, Shetland
• Celebrating Thriving Communities – Cheryl Heggie School of Dance, Inverness; Loch Ness Hub and Travel, Drumnadrochit; Wick Development Trust, Wick
• Climate Action – Dornie Croft, Kyle; Glen Mhor Hotel & Uile-Bheist Distillery and Brewery, Inverness; Ness Walk, Inverness
• Inclusive Tourism – Girls on Hills, Glencoe; Seabirds-and-Seals – The Original Noss Boat Tours, Shetland; Wavysail, Oban
• Innovation in Tourism – Hebrides Cruises, Oban; Loch Ness Hub and Travel, Drumnadrochit; Scottish Islands Passport, Jura
• Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival – Eilean Dorcha Festival, Benbecula; Orkney Folk Festival, Orkney; Taste North, Wick
• Rising Star – Aedan Doig, Loch Fyne Hotel and Spa, Loch Fyne; Elliott Sabor, Orrin Restaurant and Bar, Elgin; Harris Brooker, Speyside Wildlife, Grantown-on-Spey; Kate Paterson, Golf View Hotel and Spa, Nairn
• Tourism and Hospitality Employer of the Year – Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness; Nevis Range, Fort William; The Pierhouse Hotel, Port Appin
• Tourism Individual of the Year – Fiona McLean, The Pierhouse Hotel, Port Appin; Paul Nixon, The Loch Ness Centre, Drumnadrochit; Russell Fraser, Loch Ness Hub, Drumnadrochit

Congratulating all the finalists for making it onto this year’s shortlist, HITA chairman Calum Ross said: “Yet again, our finalists have shown just what incredible talent we have in tourism and hospitality across all the regions of the Highlands and Islands.”

“Every year our judges find it more and more challenging to choose their shortlist and 2024 has been no exception!

“The innovation, dedication and desire to offer the very best experience of the Highlands and Islands to guests is inspirational, and the awards help ensure we all strive for excellence, to create unforgettable experiences and deliver rewarding careers.

“I look forward to celebrating with all our finalists on October 4. It will be a wonderful occasion and a well-deserved night off!”

Covering 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 – the annual Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards, now in its 17th year, brings together industry leaders, rising stars, new enterprises and trusted names to celebrate and recognise excellence in the sector.

HITA winners proceed to the Scottish Thistle Awards national final to represent the region and compete with the best of the rest of the country.