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

They were announced at the awards ceremony and gala dinner at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness on Friday, October 4.

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 www.hita-awards.com and on Facebook.