Highlands & Islands Thistles winners announced

Winners of the Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards (HITA) were announced at a ceremony at Drumossie Hotel in Inverness on Friday 3 October. 

Businesses from across the regions, representing accommodation, visitor attractions, events, food and drink and more, celebrated with colleagues and friends as the 2025 regional winners were announced. 

The Scottish Thistle Awards is an annual celebration of the very best in tourism and events, recognising excellence, collaboration and innovation within on of the country's most important and biggest growing sectors. The Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards ceremony is one of five regional finals, with the winners of each going on to compete at the national final in November.

Read on for the Highlands & Islands winners.

Highlands & Islands Thistle Award winners 2025. Credit Callum Mackay. 

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival. Credit: VisitScotland/Iona Spence

Best B&B or Guest House Experience

Ardtorna, Oban

Best Hotel Experience

The Torridon, Annat

Best Self-Catering or Unqiue Stay

Big Sky Lodges, Muir of Ord

Best Eating Experience

Ninth Wave Restaurant, Isle of Mull

Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Inverness

Best Bar or Pub

Ardgour Ales, Fort William

Best Community Tourism or Events Initiative

Sanday Community Craft Hub, Orkney

Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience

Islay Sea Adventures, Islay

Climate Action

Maynes Coaches Ltd, Moray

Innovation Award

WildLuing, Oban

Islay Sea Adventures. Credit: Wild Scotland / Stephen Sweeney

Highland Wildlife Park. Credit: Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)

Best Visitor Attraction

Highland Wildlife Park, Kingussie

Employer of the Year

The Torridon

Highland Ambassador

Marina Huggett

Individual of the Year

Roddy McKay, Eilean Dorcha Festival

Rising Star

Grace Robinson, Loch Ness Hub & Travel