Two boat trip companies, a museum and a group of young musicians are among six businesses toasting success tonight at the tenth annual Talisker Quality Awards (Monday 25 November) in the Aros Centre, Portree.

The awards recognise top marks in quality and customer care as voted by visitors to Skye and Lochalsh and were presented by John Farquhar Munro, MSP for Ross, Skye and Inverness West.

There are four categories of awards - Customer Care, Outdoor Experience, Food and Drink, and Cultural Experience - as well as two overall Awards for Excellence for companies who, in addition to receiving nominations from visitors, are also nominated by community councils and the trustees.  The winner of each category received a specially commissioned plaque and certificate.

Skyescene, a group of young traditional music performers, picked up an award in the Cultural Experience category marking their third consecutive win at the Talisker Awards.

Thrill seeking visitors voted Sea.Fari Adventures from Armadale as the winner of The Outdoor Experience category.

Bella Jane Boat Trips in Elgol scooped an Award for Excellence.  This is another achievement for the company, which was recently graded as a 5-star visitor attraction by VisitScotland.

The Skye Museum of Island Life in Kilmuir won the second Award for Excellence of the evening.

The Customer Care award was presented to Mairi MacDonald of Gairloch View Bed and Breakfast in Staffin, and the Plockton Hotel received the Food and Drink award.

The following businesses received certificates of commendation: Heron's Flight Bed and Breakfast, Plockton; Braigh Uige B&B, Uig; Glenelg Ferry; Whitewave - Skye's Outdoor Centre; Plockton Inn; The Pasta Shed, Armadale; The Aros Centre, Portree; and Armadale Castle and Gardens.

The Talisker Quality Awards are sponsored by the Talisker Trust - a partnership of Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise (SALE), Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board (HOST), The Highland Council and Talisker Distillery.

The Trust was established in 1992 to recognise achievement by a business or individual for outstanding contributions to the tourism industry in the Skye and Lochalsh area. 

Alastair Robertson, chair of the Talisker Trust and manager of the Talisker Distillery said:  "This is the tenth year the Trust has had the privilege of publicly recognising people and businesses in the area for their commitment to quality.  It's great to see so many businesses nominated and on behalf of all the trustees, I wish them continued success."

SALE chief executive, Robert Muir, said:  "There are six winners here tonight, but over 150 nominations were received.  That's 150 people who were so impressed by the quality of service, food, hospitality or experience that they felt compelled to register their vote.  I think that is a real triumph for our tourism industry.

"Businesses with a reputation for quality are more likely to reap financial benefits and tonight's winners should be held up as an example of best practice to others."