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!”Â

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.