The winners of this year’s Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards (HITA) have been announced!
They were revealed at the HITA awards ceremony and dinner at the Macdonald Drumossie Hotel, Inverness, on Friday 3rdOctober.
The annual awards celebrate and recognise excellence across every aspect of the sector; from food and drink, accommodation and experiences to outstanding individuals, action on climate change and innovation.
The 2025 winners are:
Best B&B or Guest House Experience
Ardtorna
Best Bar or Pub
Ardgour Ales
Best Community Tourism & Events Initiative
Sanday Community Craft Hub
Best Eating Experience
Ninth Wave Restaurant
Best Hotel Experience
The Torridon
Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience
Islay Sea Adventures
Best Self-Catering or Unique Stay
Big Sky Lodges
Best Visitor Attraction
Highland Wildlife Park
Climate Action Award
Maynes Coaches
Employer of the Year
The Torridon
Individual of the Year
Roddy MacKay, Eilean Dorcha Festival
Innovation Award
WildLuing
Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
Rising Star Award
Grace Robinson, Loch Ness Hub & Travel
Highland Ambassador
Marina Huggett
HITA chairman, Calum Ross, said:
“Huge congratulations to our winners, they are fully deserving of their awards.
“All of our finalists showed outstanding talent and dedication which made the task of judging all the more challenging.
“But our winners demonstrated excellence in their field and have proved yet again what exceptional talent we have here.
“We are delighted to celebrate this special occasion with them on what was another successful awards night.”
Mr Ross also thanked the event’s sponsors:
“The awards could not take place without the continuing support of our sponsors, a huge thank you to all of our sponsors for their support from everyone at HITA.”
Title sponsor, Royal Bank of Scotland, congratulated the winners.
Garry Munro, director Highlands & Islands Commercial Mid-Market Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, said:
“As Scotland’s biggest business bank, we are proud to once again have sponsored this landmark event recognising excellence in the Highlands and Islands tourism and hospitality sector.
“Succeeding with our customers is at the heart of everything that the Royal Bank of Scotland does and so we welcome the opportunity to celebrate the incredible contributions of individual businesses to this vital sector.
“Every year we are impressed by the innovation and resilience that Highlands and Islands businesses, workers and communities showcase in the face of difficult challenges.
“We congratulate this year’s winners, and everyone involved in delivering yet another successful evening.”
Covering 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, the annual Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards bring together industry leaders, rising stars, new enterprises and trusted names to celebrate achievements and recognise excellence in the sector.
Winners, except the Highland Ambassador, now proceed to the Scottish Thistle Awards national final to represent the region and compete with the best of the rest of the country.
For further information, visit www.hita-awards.com
