2025 Winners!

We’re delighted to announce the winners of the Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards 2025, celebrated at a glittering ceremony and dinner at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness on Friday 3rd October.

These prestigious awards honour the very best of our region’s tourism and hospitality industry, recognising excellence, innovation, and passion across every corner of the sector. From unforgettable visitor experiences to remarkable local initiatives, our winners truly represent the heart and soul of tourism in the Highlands and Islands.

Following their success at HITA, our regional winners went on to represent the Highlands and Islands as finalists at the Scottish Thistle Awards National Final in November 2025, showcasing the exceptional quality and world-class hospitality our area is renowned for. We’re proud to share that they brought home five national titles.

National Award Winners:

Best Eating Experience: Ninth Wave Restaurant

Employer of the Year: The Torridon

Best Visitor Attraction: Highland Wildlife Park

Best B&B or Guest House Experience: Ardtorna Luxury B&B

The crowning achievement of the night was Marina Huggett, our regional Highland Ambassador winner, who received the coveted Silver Thistle Award, the evening’s top honour, for her outstanding contribution to Scottish tourism.

Explore the HITA winners below and join us in celebrating the inspiring achievements of our region’s tourism champions.