We were very pleased to be nominated for several awards this year and have been fairly overwhelmed at the results. We were winners for two awards,are finalists for two awards, have one highly commended award and an unexpected honour! One of the best aspects about award ceremonies, we have discovered, is the opportunity to meet lots of other business owners who are providing innovative and inspirational experiences for their customers.
We are of course delighted at this recognition in the business and tourism world of the standard of experience we aim to achieve for our guests. The variety of awards reflects the different aspects of our business that we are very proud of. The leadership of owner and skipper, Rob Barlow, the care we have for our guests, the quality of the food we serve, the innovation of our cruise itineraries, and the passion we have for the natural environment.
The awards we achieved in 2024 are:
-The Herald Scottish Family Business Awards: Winner Green Family Business of the Year Award
-Highlands and Islands Business Excellence Awards: Hebrides Cruises owner, Rob Barlow, is awarded The Scottish National Investment Bank Award for Outstanding Business Leader.
-Highlands and Islands Business Excellence Awards: finalist for The Loganair Award for Excellence in Customer Service, Care & Experience.
-Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards: Innovation in Tourism; Highly Commended.
-RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards: Finalist for the Nature Tourism Award.
-Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards: Finalist for Best Food and Drink Tourism Experience.
A totally unexpected honour received by our Shore Manager Emma, was to be included in the 2024 Top 100 Women In Tourism.
Finally, we are very proud of our Green Tourism Gold Award which we have gained for the third year at very high passes in every category.
This was my second trip with Hebrides Cruises. It was magical and I couldn’t have faulted any of it. Charlie was a great skipper making sure that we had the best possible experience. Will is very knowledgeable guide , who ensured we didn’t miss any crucial wildlife sightings. The upper deck on Emma Jane is great for bird and wildlife spotting. I spent many hours up there . Whilst we were enjoying ourselves , Chef Charlie and Yasmine were busy preparing delicious meals for us. Being able to get to and land on St Kilda was a very special and evocative experience, made even better as there were no day boats , so we had the island to ourselves along with those on Elizabeth G.
Mary Lea: 1 July 2024St Kilda and the isles of the Outer Hebrides