Kayak and canoe-based Wester Ross firm Highland Experiences claims micro-business accolade at FSB Scotland awards
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
WESTER Ross tour business Highland Experiences has been crowned Scotland’s best micro business at the FSB Scotland Celebrating Small Business Awards.
Highland Experiences operates the Gairloch Canoe and Kayak Centre, Kayak Skye, Kayak Loch Ness and has diversified to offer a wide range of activities including canoeing and kayaking, paddle boarding, mountain walking and expeditions.
Founder and director Cory Jones said: “We are so pleased to have won the FSB Scotland Micro Business of the Year Award. It recognises the quality of our paddling experiences in Gairloch, on Loch Ness and Skye, and it’s a huge pat on the back for our dedicated team, who look after our customers so well on the water.
“The award will also act as a ‘credibility indicator’ for our customers and help support the growth of our well-respected brand.”
The Gairloch-based business was one of three Highlands and Islands connected firms to collect an award at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) ceremony at Edinburgh’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel, with Dunnet Bay Distillers from Caithness winning the environmental/sustainability business of the year award and Shetlander Brian Inkster winning the self-employed/sole trader award for his law firm, Inksters.
All three will now go on to represent Scotland at the UK final in Glasgow in May and have a chance to be named UK Small Business of the Year and follow the success of the previous two UK winners Cruise Loch Ness in Fort Augusts and Woodlands Glencoe in Ballachulish.
FSB Highlands and Islands development manager, David Richardson, said: “If there’s one unifying feature about businesses in our region exhibit – businesses operating in sparsely populated areas remote from markets and key population centres – it’s their ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances and to make the most of any opportunities that come their way. We have a lot to be proud of.”
