Four tourism businesses from the Highlands and Islands have triumphed at this year’s top tourism awards – the Scottish Thistle Awards in Edinburgh .

The businesses that successfully beat off tough competition to take one of the prestigious awards were:

• Prince’s House Hotel in Fort William who were awarded a Thistle in the Flavour of Scotland category
• The Ice Factor Ltd were presented a Thistle in the Off Peak Success category
• Blue Reef Cottages on the Isle of Harris who were awarded the Customer Care Thistle in the Self Catering Operator category
• NVA’s The Storr: Unfolding Landscape were presented with the Thistle Award for Events and Festivals

Created by VisitScotland, the Scottish Thistle Awards - now in their 15th year – are widely recognised as the mark of excellence and professionalism across Scottish tourism; awarding businesses for their contribution to the country’s reputation as a first – class visitor destination. 

This year, the successful businesses received their awards from guest presenters/television personalities Jackie Bird and Tam Cowan during a ceremony at Edinburgh ’s International Conference Centre.

Peter Lederer, VisitScotland’s Chairman, said:  

“The Scottish Thistle Awards are a celebration of the very best in Scottish tourism and to reach the final and then go on to win an award is an outstanding achievement.      

“Tourism is an extremely competitive industry, but with businesses like those represented tonight setting the standard for , we’re undoubtedly in an excellent position to achieve our shared ambition of growing tourism revenues by 50% by 2015.”

Tourism Minister Patricia Ferguson added:  

“The Thistle Awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate those who play a key role in welcoming visitors to , be they from home or abroad.   

“All the winners ensure that our visitors' experience is an enjoyable one and one they would want to repeat, helping us to achieve our aim of 50% growth in the tourism industry over the next ten years.”