Winners announced for first Outer Hebrides excellence awards

Following the success of the Who Cares Wins programme across the Outer Hebrides, a glittering awards ceremony and gala dinner was held last night (Thursday, March 22) in Stornoway to celebrate excellence in service throughout the area. 

Organised and supported by HIE Innse Gall, VisitScotland and Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, the awards are a mark of excellence and professionalism across the service sector, rewarding businesses for their contribution to the area's reputation as a first class visitor destination.  

Categories included business types such as retail, accommodation, food service and leisure.  The award for embracing excellence went to An Lanntair and the outstanding area of excellence was awarded to the Isle of Harris.  Western Isles Tour Guides Association was successful in winning the award for its outstanding service to customers.

The successful businesses received their awards from Simon Calder, travel writer and broadcaster, during a ceremony at the Caberfeidh Hotel, followed by a gala dinner attended by Alasdair Morrison MSP.

Welcoming the businesses success, Angus Macmillan area director for VisitScotland Outer Hebrides said:  "The awards are a celebration of the very best in the Outer Hebrides tourism product and to be nominated and then go on to win an award is an outstanding achievement.  All the winners here tonight ensure that our visitors experience is an enjoyable one that they would want to repeat, helping us to achieve our aim of 50 per cent growth in the tourism industry over the next 10 years."

Lorna Macaulay, head of developing skills and customer service for HIE Innse Gall, commented:  "It is very encouraging to see such a high calibre of businesses being recognised under each award category.  The awards celebrate the positive and diverse range of excellence in the service industry. I am very pleased that HIE Innse Gall is able to support the very first Who Cares Wins awards in the Outer Hebrides and may I congratulate all the winners on their achievements."