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We are delighted to announce the following businesses nominated under the following categories. The public vote is now closed. Winners will be announced at our Tourism Conferences in November.
We have recently opened our purpose built rooms where we have strived to create well-desinged accommodation that really makes people's holidays memorable and exceptional. We are dog-friendly, accessible and well-equiped. We have tried to make the rooms just as cosy in winter with wood-burning stoves, comfy sofas and fabulous views. We have created local jobs and as we have no minimum night stay our housekeeping team is busy all week not just Saturdays.
Oran na Mara was designed in the Hebrides and built by local craftsmen using as many local materials as possible. The house is a competely original design, being curved to take full advantage of the stunning views from all rooms, with floor-to-ceiling windows. The house has every luxury on the inside and on the outside is built of traditional stone and thatch.
We have had consistently brilliant reviews and remains #1 place to stay in Stornoway on TripAdvisor.
Over 500 5* trip advisor reviews show our commitment to quality, sustainability and guest experience.
A modern black house, Brighid was designed to compliment the local landscape and reflect the natural black lewisian gneiss on which it sits. Sustainability was built into the design to minimise its impact on the environment with renewable energy and insulation far exceeding the building regulations. Positioned to take full advantage of the views to the west coast, the Atlantic Ocean, wildlife and sea birds. We promote local suppliers using products such as Ishga for bath and shower products, Harris tweed furnishings and extensively of places to see and eat in our interactive map within our welcome app.
Gealabhat B&B has been running for over 10 years and guest are writing great reviews. Would be nice to get some publicity on this and id like to encourage more young people to see b&b as a great self-employment opportunity.
The Sheep Station is committed to delivering a unique, luxury and memorable holiday experience for visitors to the Outer Hebrides. We have created a contemporary hideaway in a remote and beautiful location which nestles quietly within the landscape, taking advantage of the stunning views, with minimal impact on the environment. Being part of the community is key to our success, we employ local staff and support local producers. The exteriors and design of the buildings are subtle, unobtrusive and humble. We think this reflects the Hebridean way of life. The interiors are a deliberate juxtaposition – delivering modern day living, with considered and thoughtful design, providing guests with everything they require in a decadent manner. We are locally owned and managed, enabling us to offer a wealth of knowledge, which includes, promoting other sectors of the Harris hospitality industry and the capacity to share our passion and personal experiences with guests.
The Royal Hotel, Stornoway's most historic hotel has been open to the public for over 100 years. Since we became custodians of this great building in the 80's our primary goal has always been to offer the best of Hebridean hospitality. With 26 bedrooms and two bustling restaurants, overlooking the beautiful harbour and Lews Castle, our boutique gem in the middle of Stornoway has never been more popular. We are the top rated hotel in Stornoway on trip advisor and the number 1 place to stay when on Lewis.
Set up during covid, due to our Airbnb closing, we worked hard to set up our small campsite, with no outside funding. We have built up quite a following on social media, with CAMPRA noticing & giving support. All our camper reviews are great, with everyone loving our "quirky" & super dog friendly Croft! We promote ALL the businesses in Ness, & nearly all our guests use the facilities available, bringing in lots more revenue for the community. So many arrive as guests & leave as friends, so we must be doing something right! I absolutely love our wee Croft, & I'm delighted to be living back in my community.
We’re in our 10th year, operating all year around, using our home on an old family croft on the edge of the village, built to maintain my island connection but which now also provides guests with our authentic, luxury experience. Our business model is online and owner-direct to our guests, without OTAs, so far! That personal contact provided a strong foundation to steer us successfully through the pandemic. ‘Responsible Tourism’ is embedded and underpins our property and our business operations. We work to ensure our supply chain remains as local as possible despite it being tough in recent years. We build local partnerships to enhance our guest’s island experience. I publish my local insights ‘Days Out’ guide, updated annually, used religiously by guests to guide their island exploration! Guest feedback has been stellar over 10 years so we know what we do works for us and for our guests!
Located on the very edge of the Atlantic, surrounded by hills and white sandy beaches of the dramatic Harris landscape, Borve Lodge Estate is steeped in history. Guests receive a warm Hebridean welcome in our award-winning accommodation, offering modern-day comforts in spectacular coastal retreats. Built to reflect island history, The Broch mirrors the iron age fortifications of ancient Scotland, and the Rock House looking toward Taransay, blends into the natural rock terraces. Furnished with bespoke furniture, handmade locally, and stocked with goods from local businesses, we fully support our community. Embracing the peace and tranquillity, we cater for couples and families alike who experience the true nature of the Hebrides while staying in one of our 5 properties. Following the challenges of the last three years, our resilient team works hard to ensure we maintain high standards, providing our guests with confidence and desire to return to our island.
Lingay House B&B 2023 guest reviews heaped praise on our food: “absolutely delicious, amazing👌👌, best food we had in the Hebrides, excellent, exquisite, fantastic, first class, fish is to die for, good value for money, gourmet, great cook, incredible 3-course meal, likes to cook and shows on the plate, superb, very good cooking, definitely order the evening meal …” Lingay House is perfect for: • dinners every night in the dining room with alcohol licence, otherwise unavailable locally. • HebWay cyclists and walkers, we’re on both routes & welcome one-night stays, with large indoor bike storage and repair facility. • St. Kilda bound pontoons two minutes away, early cooked breakfasts, packed lunches and later dinners. Our home provides ensuite accommodation for singles, couples and friends to be looked after, with attentive drinks service. Plus scenic sitting room, library, boot warmers, WiFi, laundry, lifts, itinerary planning knowledge … Lingay House … Spot on Hospitality.
Since opening the main Two Seas Hebrides house, we have had nothing but praise and positive feedback for the extremely high standard of accommodation. This builds on the 95 five star reviews we gained on the adjoining apartment.
Our pods are in an incredibly beautiful location, and have a fabulous view, overlooking a white sandy beach. The location is in an area of outstanding natural beauty, and the quiet bay in front of the pods is safe for swimming, paddle boarding, and kayaking. Guests regularly comment on how peaceful they find their stay, with the sea lapping the shore right in front of the pods. and even if the weather is stormy, the view is breathtaking. There are many beautiful beaches nearby, and plenty walking, fishing, bird watching, and star gazing opportunities. We provide our guests with every home comfort, along with dived scallops, Stornoway black pudding, and home-made bread. The pods are fitted to a high standard, and are warm and cosy, with comfortable outdoor seating on the decking above the beach. Our many returning guests are a testament to the success of The Beach Bothies.
We started our trendsetting family-run glampsite, Mangersta Croft Holidays, in August 2013 and have offered visitors to the islands a warm and friendly welcome for the last 10 years. Three Cabins and two Shepherd’s Huts uniquely designed by Derek Scanlan are sensitively sited on a working Croft within 5 min walk of the spectacularly wild Mangersta coastline. We live in our croft-house on site and enjoy being on hand to give advice to enable our guests to make the most of their holiday. Our visitors enjoy an authentic taste of island life with crofting activities changing over the season. We particularly appeal to people with a love of nature and a passion to explore the great outdoors. Campfires and convivial chat are encouraged within a stunning stone walled campfire pit where many friendships have been formed under star studded skies. A space to recharge and connect with the natural world.
We were fortunate to became tenants of croft36 in 1998, in the subsequent years we drained the croft, built a house and had three more children besides working in various. In 2010 we started making and delivering seafood meals to visitors and residents alike. Later that year we started selling dressed Crab from a kiosk, and home-made bread and cakes. The following year we built the shed/shack which is still in operation today complete with the original honesty box system. We now focus on doing the things we enjoy most: baking, making soups and meals. We use Leverburgh Langoustines, crab and fish and grow vegetables on the Machair, or strawberries, salad crops and tomatoes in our polytunnel. A new venture this year is our masonry oven which we are able to fuel with the coppiced willow we planted 20 years ago, we are hoping to make craft breads and pizza!
We aim to offer a truly memorable and authentic experience to our visitors. We work really hard to support our team, create good jobs and support other local businesses. We focus on fresh, seasonal and local food as far as possible. It would be terrific for the hard work of our team to be recognised.
We have been a family run salmon smokery based at Uig Lodge since 1984. The smokery was originally started to help keep seasonal staff employed year round. The smokery is busiest in the winter and we are therefore able to offer year round jobs. We strive to produce the most delicious smoked salmon and we offer mail order, spreading the message about food quality in The Hebrides.
At the Loomshed, customers are at the heart of everything we do. We believe our offering within our little town deli is fantastic and our hot drinks are well received by repeat customers. Our local Loomshed Beer is hugely adored by all that walk through our door. Having supplied it to many stockist over the summer, we have managed to reach a number of people who have then paid a visit to our new, cosy wee Tap Room!
We have brought a new and exciting business to SY centre and to the islands. We have created employment which will increase with our annual growth. We are networking with other local businesses and selling their locally produced goods to help maintain and grow a sustainable local economy. We actively partake in local initiatives, including OHT events and also local charitable fund raising.
Our Aite Ceilidh Cafe is at the heart of our community, it is for the community and by the Community. Visitors to the Island coming into our cafe become immersed in the cafe and the community they come as strangers and they leave as friends. The cafe is run by paid staff all of whom live within 5 miles of Grinneabhat. They pride themselves on delivering a high standard of service while remaining relaxed and friendly. Our dedicated kitchen provide locally sourced produce which is cooked fresh daily. Our menu takes into account the local pallet - serving lamb stew or Macleod and Macleod black pudding. Every taste is catered for. The warmth generated in the cafe comes from the food, the staff and our fire.
Because Mustheb is an exceptional product that pairs well with Hebridean foods such as salmon, trout, seafood, black pudding, haggis, local meats and even whisky and gin in cocktails. Because Mustheb has won national and international awards and a reputation for appealing to a wide range of tastes. Because using organic ingredients and traditional production methods is proven to be good for our health and in keeping with the back-to-nature spirit. Because Mustheb attracts people to visit the south of the Isle of Harris, helping to revitalise the local community. Because Mustheb has been in business for over 6 years and the Mustard Maker has become an ambassador for the Outer Hebrides through several television appearances and has attracted countless tourists to the Hebrides. Because every jar of mustard passionately promotes the Hebridean larder and the Mustheb brand reflects the Outer Hebrides as a must from the Hebrides.
Eleven restaurant within Caladh Inn has been delivering first class food and drink to visitors and locals alike for over 18 years. With our unique mix of succulent carvery, abundant buffet and considerable a la carte menu, eleven has consistently been the first choice for family friendly, homely Hebridean food and service when on Lewis. We were rewarded for this earlier this year, winning the Scottish Hospitality Awards, Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year award for the North of Scotland.
The Boatshed Restaurant is situated in the town of Stornoway , boasting captivating views across Stornoway marina, towards Lews Castle and its grounds. Here, we take great pride in the produce found in the Outer Hebrides with the restaurant being renowned for its locally caught seafood and shellfish which features prominently on our menus, highlighting the remarkable food we produce in Scotland. Simply put, our mission is to bring out the best of what Scotland’s larder has to offer through our dishes. We offer this all year round, open 52 weeks a year for locals and visitors alike to be able to try the great Hebridean flavours no matter the day of the week, or month of the year.
We are the first and currently only charcuterie business based in the Outer Hebrides. We source our meats from the land (venison & goose) - contributing to keeping healthy numbers in our island community, and preventing damage to the environment. We source mutton from crofters aiding sustainability of the crofting community and pork via crofters (where possible) and local butchers. All the meats we use are from the wild or come from free range animals. We have no plastic in our packaging and highlight the culture of the area in our packaging by using Lewis chessmen inspired figures.
Dancing Flower Crafts takes great pride in producing unique, handmade products, showcasing spectacular Harris Tweed and other local products from the Hebrides. I love welcoming people to my wee shop, talking about the magical islands, the history and craftsmanship of Harris Tweed, and making bespoke special Crafts. Winning would mean such a lot to my young business, and would help to promote not only my crafts but also other local crafters and the islands.
As a community organisation aimed at bringing local artists and the public together, we have 2 weekends where 21 venues are set up for people to meet with our artists and makers, find out more about how they work and browse their work. We also set up the Stornoway Art Walk with shops featuring out artists in their windows and a map to follow the trail. 2023 is the third year of this event and we also held art exhibitions throughout the year.
Our business aim is to provide an incredible, memorable, welcoming breathtaking and fun organised activity experience suitable for all ages and abilities of riders. We are open all year and we offer a wide range of different treks and activities including beach rides, moorland rides and pony experience days. Our private bespoke evening beach rides provide us with an opportunity to showcase Tràigh Mhòr and is popular with those special occasions. We actively employ youths and provide work experience and employment to our local islander's. Our customers often rate their time with us as the highlight of their holiday and leave some amazing reviews, rating our customer service and our team of staff as exemplary. We have alot of returning customers (visitors) who come back time and time again. I firmly believe we offer the best beach riding anywhere in the UK and Europe.
A small family run business where visitors can see the artist at work and discuss his work. We are also in a fantastic location just above the harbour in Port of Ness.
We are independent weavers who weave our own tweeds and then craft every item to be unique from our own cloth. This gives visitors a rare chance to see one of the last hattersley looms still producing tweed full time and to purchase items made entirely in house. I use my own sheep fleeces to create tweed products which visitors absolutely love. So many visitors tell us we are the highlight of their trip and I have had numerous Americans say they came specially to visit us!
Immerse Hebrides are the first and only tour company in the Western Isles offering wild swimming tours and holidays throughout all the Outer Hebridean islands. They offer health & wellness breaks, adventure cave & island swimming and whale & dolphin boat trips whilst using local businesses to accommodate their holidays. With adventurous outdoor swimming, marine wildlife boat tours and the brand new beachside Saltbox Sauna addition, this young family-run innovative company is your one-stop shop for 'seeing and doing' the Outer Hebrides by and beside the water.
Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, established in 1977, is an award-winning heritage centre, based in the former Cross Primary School in North Lewis. It houses an accredited museum, galleries, exhibitions, a local history archive, cafe and gift shop. Visitors are welcomed in Gaelic by members of the local community and CEN staff. The centre is also a community hub, allowing visitors to mingle with local people and hear the Gaelic language spoken in a natural setting. The museum is currently displaying Bronze Age artefacts which were discovered locally. The Adabrock Hoard is one of the most significant Bronze Age Hoards discovered in the UK and is on loan from the National Museums of Scotland. All the artefacts in the CEN collection were donated by the local community and our displays provide visitors with a taste of island life through the ages.
Island Darkroom has quickly become a unique and valuable access to fine art photography in the Hebrides. Promoting and celebrating the work of local and international photographers, Island Darkroom adds exciting contemporary photography to the art scene of Lewis, often with a focus on analogue techniques. Since its first summer season of 2019, the gallery's opening events, workshops, talks and Artist Residencies have fostered strong connections and secured Island Darkroom as a valuable hub for artists both local and visiting. The quality of exhibitions and focus on artist support has placed Island Darkroom as one of the must-see arts destinations of the Hebrides, and one of the notable photography galleries of Scotland. By the nature of her own artwork and deep care of connection and community, owner Mhairi Law has created a space where the importance of the culture, heritage and environment is celebrated through the art of analogue.
An Lanntair is a multi-arts venue – at one and the same time a contemporary art gallery, a theatre, cinema, a concert hall, a platform for literature, studio, café/bar – every space is stretched to showcase the arts in multiple forms. Encompassing it all, we pride ourselves in presenting an inspirational programme that engages and illuminates visitors and local people. Our work stretches across a national and indeed international platform, yet our distinctiveness lies in being ‘of the place’, rooted in who we are, and the creativity of Gaelic and the Outer Hebrides takes centre stage. We are conscious to work in partnership with the local tourism sector to ascertain the needs of those visiting the islands so we can create a programme that will connect with tourists. Our annual programme and various festivals bring artists and visitors to these islands which creates economic and cultural benefits that cascades throughout the islands.
We are a small family run alpaca business just 10minutes outside Stornoway. We diversified from sheep back in 2020, and have since then been running Alpacan Alpacas on the family croft. We provide 5-star alpaca experiences for both locals and tourists, aswell as the many local community groups that come to meet and learn about our amazing alpacas!!! We welcome guests of all ages, and adapt our visits to our guests individual needs and abilities, we happily cater for wheelchair users and welcome those with neurodivergence. Our Meet and Greets are single group/family booking, so your visit is going to be a fabulous personal experience, with plenty time to learn about alpacas, their wool, some hands on experience and lots of opportunities for fantastic alpaca selfie photos. We aim to keep our prices affordable, and are open all year by appointment, we even have a small shop stocking alpaca goodies!
Western Isles Tour Guide Association
The Western Isles Tour Guide Association has provided a professional, expert guiding service across the Outer Hebrides for over 25 years. We work closely with the local port authority, bus companies, local venues, international tour operators, and also private individuals, to offer a range of guided tours including walking tours, bus and car tours. We recruit and train new guides every year, and currently have over 30 local guides on our books, comprising an interesting mix of native Hebrideans alongside newer residents of the Western Isles, offering tours in a range of languages including Gaelic, French, German, Dutch, Italian, plus other languages that appeal to the growing number of international visitors. We focus our tours on local history, island folklore, and the unique natural environment of the Outer Hebrides. Our tours offer visitors an interesting and factual insight to the islands, enhancing the visitor experience to the Western Isles.
So many reasons! Look in our Visitor Book - all will be revealed.
HebCelt has always been committed to finding ways to lessen our carbon footprint and to run a more environmentally sensitive event. Each year we strive to lessen our impact on the environment in a number of ways. On site we strive to be green, we’ve banned the sale of single use plastics on site, only use compostable food ware, make use of reusable drinks cups, have rPET wristbands with bamboo closures and have an amazing recycling team on site supporting our festival goers to be green with their recycling. We are committed to reduce our impact on the environment and for the past few years have even had some of the site powered by Hydrogen power! We encourage the use of sustainable travel and use of public transport to the island.
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