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Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards winners in line for national prizes at Scottish Thistle Awards


By John Davidson

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Willie Cameron receives the Silver Thistle Award at last year's national final.
Willie Cameron receives the Silver Thistle Award at last year's national final.

Leading firms and figures in tourism around the Highlands and Islands are in line for national recognition at the Scottish Thistle Awards on Thursday.

Winners of last year's Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards (HITA) are automatically shortlisted for the national honours alongside other regional winners from across the country.

Among the finalists are Skye's Sligachan Hotel for best bar/pub, Johnstons of Elgin for best heritage tourism experience and Nairn's Café One One Two for best informal eating experience.

The region tasted triple success at last year's Thistles, with MacGregor's Bar in Inverness receiving the best bar/pub accolade and Cruise Loch Ness taking home the best visitor attraction trophy, while 'Mr Loch Ness' Willie Cameron was awarded the Silver Thistle Award for "playing an important part in the promotion of food and drink, hospitality and film development, both in the Highlands and in Scotland".

Café One One Two in Nairn took the prize for best informal eating experience at HITA and are in line for a Thistle award on Thursday. Picture: Callum Mackay/HNM
Café One One Two in Nairn took the prize for best informal eating experience at HITA and are in line for a Thistle award on Thursday. Picture: Callum Mackay/HNM

The organisers of this year's Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards want to wish good luck to all the region's winners as they prepare to face up to competition from across Scotland.

HITA chairman Laurence Young said: “Our Highland tourism industry is doing so well because of the innovation and collaboration that bubbles up everywhere.

"Businesses are getting really skilled at working together and driving quality – and the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards identified such a strong field of brilliant operators.

"I know that as these Highlands and Islands winners go forward to the national Scottish finals, they are going to do so well. Over the past years, we are used to the Highlands scooping up national awards, and I'm sure 2020 will be no different.”

The Scottish Thistle Awards take place on Thursday, March 5, at 6.45pm at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

Entries for the 2020 Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards will open from March 6.

All the winners from HITA 2019. Picture: Callum Mackay/HNM
All the winners from HITA 2019. Picture: Callum Mackay/HNM

The full list of HITA 2019 winners which qualify for the 2020 Thistle Awards is:

Best Bar / Pub – Sligachan Hotel

Best Cultural Event or Festival – Cowal Highland Gathering

Best Heritage Tourism Experience – Johnstons of Elgin

Best Hotel Experience – Kingsmills Hotel

Best Informal Eating Experience – Café One One Two

Best Outdoor / Adventure Experience – Gairloch Canoe and Kayak Centre

Best Restaurant Experience – Etive Restaurant

Best Self Catering Accommodation – Eagle Brae

Best Visitor Attraction – Isle of Raasay Distillery

Innovation in Tourism – The Majestic Line

Most Hospitable B&B / Guest House – Glenegedale House

Working Together for Tourism – Destination Orkney


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