Shortlist is revealed for top Highland tourism awards
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The finalists will contest 13 categories with the Highland ambassador gong being presented at the end of the ceremony at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness on November 2.
This year’s shortlist includes 11 finalists from Inverness/ Inverness-shire and four each from Strathspey and Skye, although Argyll and the southern Hebrides leads the running with 16 finalists. Sutherland, Ross-shire, Moray, Lochaber and the Outer Hebrides are also represented.
HITA chairman Craig Ewan said: “Congratulations to all our finalists. Given the quality of the entries, the businesses and individuals who have made the shortlist can be really proud of their achievement.
“It was another extremely difficult task for the judges to narrow the entries to just 43 contenders and they have another huge challenge ahead in picking our eventual winners.
“The awards showcase the best of the tourism industry in the Highlands and Islands and also inspire operators to continue to raise standards and provide excellence at all times to our visitors.”
SPP is a sponsor of the event.
- For more, visit www.highland-tourism-awards.co.uk
The 2018 shortlist is –
Best self-catering/alternative accommodation experience
- Where Stags Roar, Newtonmore
- Portavadie,Loch Fyne, Argyll
- Clan Cottages, Oban
- Morag’s Lodge, Fort Augustus
Best cultural event or festival
- Oban Live
- Isle of Jura Music Festival
- Purvai Festival, Stornoway
Best heritage tourism experience
- The Highlanders Museum, Fort George, Inverness
- Speyside Cooperage Visitor Centre, Craigellachie
- Elgin Museum
- Go to St Kilda, Skye
Best eating experience
- The Seafood Shack, Ullapool
- Toravaig House Hotel. Skye
- Ninth Wave Restaurant, Mull
Best outdoor/adventure experience
- Glenlivet Hill Trek
- St Hilda Sea Adventures, Oban
- Basking Shark Scotland, Oban
- Nature Scotland, Mull
- Majestic Line, Argyll
Best pub/bar
- MacGregor’s Bar, Inverness
- Black Isle Bar and Rooms, Inverness
- Castle Tavern, Inverness
Best visitor attraction
- Johnstons of Elgin
- Dolphin Spirit, Inverness
- Cruise Loch Ness, Inverness
Innovation in tourism
- Portavadie, Loch Fyne
- Cruise Loch Ness
- Inverness Taxis
Most hospitable B&B/guest house
- Glenegedale House, Islay
- Pool House, Achnasheen, Wester Ross
- RossMor Guest House, Grantown
Most hospitable hotel
- Uig Hotel Ltd, Skye
- Skeabost Hotel, Skye
- Links House at Royal Dornoch, Sutherland
Working together for tourism
- Fort William Accommodation Marketing Group
- Mull Eagle Watch
- Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative Ltd
Highland rising star
- John McNulty, Taynuilt Hotel, Argyll
- Euan Walker, Achnagairn Estate, Kirkhill, Inverness
- Brian Sharp, Highland Experience Tours
Tourism and hospitality hero
- Emma Clark, Glenegedale House, Islay
- Alice Gill, Lodge on Loch Goil, Argyll
- John Easson, Culloden Battlefield
Highland ambassador - To be announced on the night
