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Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards 2024 ‒ winners announced!





Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards. Picture: James Mackenzie
Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards. Picture: James Mackenzie

The winners of the Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards (HITA) 2024 are revealed!

They were announced at the awards ceremony and gala dinner at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness.

The winners are:

Best B&B or Guest House Experience

Glenegedale House

Best Bar or Pub

The Station Bar

Best Eating Experience

The Dipping Lugger

Best Hotel Experience

Ness Walk

Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience

Nevis Range

Best Self-Catering or Unique Stay

Kabn Company

Best Visitor Attraction

Landmark Forest Adventure Park

Highly Commended

Islay Sea Adventures

Celebrating Thriving Communities

Loch Ness Hub & Travel

Highly Commended

Wick Development Trust

Climate Action

Glen Mhor Hotel & Uile-Bheist Distillery and Brewery

Highly Commended

Dornie Croft

Inclusive Tourism

Girls on Hills

Innovation in Tourism

Loch Ness Hub & Travel

Highly Commended

Hebrides Cruises

Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival

Eilean Dorcha Festival

Highly Commended

Orkney Folk Festival

Rising Star

• Aedan Doig, Loch Fyne Hotel and Spa

Highly Commended

• Harris Brooker, Speyside Wildlife

Tourism and Hospitality Employer of the Year

The Pierhouse Hotel

Highly Commended

Kingsmills Hotel

Tourism Individual of the Year

• Russell Fraser, Loch Ness Hub & Travel

Highland Ambassador

• Victoria Erasmus, Glen Mhor Hotel & Uile-Bheist Distillery and Brewery

HITA chairman, Calum Ross, congratulated all of the winners and those highly commended on their success: “Huge congratulations to everyone on what was a fantastic night for our tourism and hospitality community here in the Highlands and Islands.

“Over 225 tourism businesses had the confidence and self-belief to enter the awards – making 2024 a record-breaking year for HITA, with the highest number of entries ever received.

“Our judging teams reported that the quality of entry was higher than ever this year. In three categories the judges found it impossible to separate the entrants. A great position for HITA to be in, but it also means that many of our shortlisted finalists missed out on winning by the smallest of margins!

“Choosing from such a high calibre shortlist is never easy but our winners and those highly commended are exceptional. Each and every one worthy recipients of a Thistle award and special recognition for all of their hard work, innovation and the contribution they make to our local communities. Well done everybody.”

Mr Ross also thanked awards’ sponsors and partners, and the Kingsmills Hotel: “Their continued support ensures the awards take place and that the entrepreneurs and businesses across our industry receive the recognition they so richly deserve. It was a wonderful occasion and it’s always great to see everyone enjoy a well-deserved night off!”

The annual awards cover 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.

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

Find out more about the Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards and this year’s winners at https://www.hita-awards.com

Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards 2024.
Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards 2024.

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