HITA tourism awards shortlist is revealed!

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HITA Chairman Laurence Young. Picture: Callum Mackay

The shortlist for the Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards (HITA) 2022 has been announced.

The return of the Awards this year, sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland, saw a record number of entries.

The HITA 2022 shortlist is:

Best Bar / Pub

Sponsored by Bidfood/Great Glen Gin

MacGregor’s Bars
Platform 1864
Scotch & Rye
Sligachan Hotel & Seumas’ Bar

Best B&B or Guest House Experience

Sponsored by HIAL

The Skye Inn
Tigh na Mara Guesthouse
Torlinnhe Guest House

Best Eatery Experience

Sponsored by NorthLink

Coll Hotel
Kincraig Art Café Ltd
No 88 Ltd
The Pierhouse Hotel

Best Hotel Experience (under 20 rooms)

Sponsored by Kilchoman

Coll Hotel
Foyers Lodge
Heathbank

Best Hotel Experience (over 20 rooms)

Sponsored by Fishers

Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa
Mackays Hotel
Ness Walk Hotel

Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience

Sponsored by Highland Tourism Partnership

In Your Element
Islay Sea Adventures
Nevis Range

Best Self Catering Accommodation Experience

Big Sky Lodges
Knoydart Hide
Lewis Longhouse

Best Visitor Attraction Experience

Sponsored by Port of Cromarty Firth Authority

Highland Wildlife Park
Loch Ness by Jacobite
Shetland Seabird Tours ‒ The Noss Boat

Food Tourism Award

Sponsored by Highland Hotels / Braehead

Beinn an Tuirc Distillers Ltd
Garths Croft Bressay
Spirit & Spice

Highland Ambassador

Sponsored by HIE

Winner announced on the evening

Highland Rising Star

Sponsored by Baywa

Dougal Cameron, The Lunchbox Boys
Michael Bell, Loch Ness Cruises

Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival

Sponsored by Caley Cruisers / Dolphin Spirit

Fèis Ìle, The Islay Festival
Live at Five, MacGregor’s Bars
Night @ the BOOtanics, The Inverness Botanic Gardens

RBS Climate Champion

Sponsored by RBS

Inverness Botanic Gardens
The Glen Mhor Hotel
Visit Inverness Loch Ness

Tourism and Hospitality Hero

Sponsored by DYW

Fraser Duff, Highland Explorer Tours
Graham Rooney, Platform 1864
Rebecca Macdonald, Culloden Battlefield

Working Together for Tourism

Sponsored by Highland Council

Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers
Visit Inverness Loch Ness
Wild Skies Shetland

The judging panel was delighted with the strong field of submissions, particularly after such a challenging two years for the sector.

Chair of the judging panel, Calum Ross, Loch Melfort Hotel, near Oban, said: “Not only did we have a record number of entries for the Awards’ return this year but the standard of submissions was exceptional. We had an incredibly strong field this year which is all the more remarkable given the huge challenges and disruption to our industry over the past two years.

“It is fantastic to see so much resilience and work that went into each entry and so many businesses that took the time to apply. Of course, that made our job of shortlisting the entries all the more difficult!”

HITA chairman Laurence Young added: “After two long years, it’s exciting to be able to bring the Awards back. Everyone can now look forward to a wonderful Awards night where we can celebrate the achievements of our sector and recognise the dedication, professionalism and excellence shown right across the Highlands and Islands.”

The winners will be revealed at the Awards night on Friday, November 4 at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness. The winners of 13 out of the 15 HITA categories will go forward to the national finals of VisitScotland’s Thistle Awards. HITA winners have gone on to win multiple awards at a national level.

Ahead of the Awards, headline partner and award sponsor, Royal Bank of Scotland, is hosting a special climate change seminar at 2pm at the Kingsmills Hotel. To register visit www.eventbrite.co.uk

Tickets for the Awards are on sale and available from highland-tourism-awards.co.uk