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.
Hi Emma - I just wanted to thank you and all your crew members for giving me the most incredible experience ever over the past few days. It is difficult to encapsulate it all in words ! From the minute we stepped on board the Lucy Mary we were treated like royalty. Abbie was amazing, discrete professional and easy to talk to. James, well his knowledge and expertise incredible. It was just lovely to sit around the table and hear everyone's stories and experiences in life and I will treasure the memories. You have a real gem in Sammy the chef . The food was out of this world! Just exquisite! Indys knowledge on wildlife and how he could identify everything was amazing. His love for wildlife shone! Will a steady guy just making sure everything was as it should be - incredible. So many highlights and laughs and just sheer joy to the soul. It was good to meet you and thank you for all the information you sent prior to boarding as it was all helpful. Very very special time. Thank you all.
Sandra Munro: 5 April 2025Hebrides Magical Mini Cruise