We are delighted to be shortlisted in two categories for the Highlands and Islands Business Excellence Awards 2024.
Hebrides Cruises owner, Rob Barlow, is a finalist for The Scottish National Investment Bank Award for Outstanding Business Leader, while Hebrides Cruises has also been shortlisted for The Loganair Award for Excellence in Customer Service, Care & Experience.
Rob was nominated for the Award for Outstanding Business Leader for demonstrating an exceptional personal influence on the success of Hebrides Cruises, as well as a significant contribution to the local economy. His lifelong passion for the conservation of the marine environment is reflected in Hebrides Cruises gaining very high scores in the Green Tourism Gold Award and the sustainability of the company. His leadership and vision has attracted and retained the best available highly-qualified crews, dedicated to providing an outstanding cruise experience for our guests. His intimate knowledge of the Hebrides and West Coast of Scotland has provided a range of unique cruise itineraries and experiences. Rob has always fostered deep connections with the local community in hiring staff, and provisioning and maintaining our vessels
The Loganair Award for Excellence in Customer Service, Care & Experience celebrates businesses that lead the way in customer service and experience. Hebrides Cruises clearly demonstrates this with over 50% guests returning to cruise with us each season and a record of over 460 cruise reviews submitted on our website reviews page, unedited by us with not one negative review. Rob, with daughter Emma and son-in-law James, form a close-knit family team to ensure every aspect of the guest experience is exceptional, from gourmet meals and stunning scenery to fascinating accompanied shore trips and unforgettable encounters with wildlife.
We are now ooking forward to the Awards Ceremony in September!
Emma was very helpful with the additional questions I had and the crew very helpful when boarding, made us feel very welcome. The itinerary was outstanding. We had Rob as skipper and his local knowledge of the area, wildlife and weather forecasts was invaluable as the itinerary was adjusted to fit in with the forecast conditions giving us best chance of landing on St Kilda. The two nights on St Kilda were the culmination of a 40 year ambition for me. All the crew were exemplary. I particularly enjoyed being able to visit the bridge from time to time and chat to Rob. Mark was a great bosun, nothing was too much trouble and he was particularly adept at pouring malt whisky, which was a skill was very much appreciated. It was also great to have Chris Gomersall along to show us where to look to see all the wonderful wildlife. It was extra special!
John MacMillian: 10 June 2017St Kilda and the isles of the Outer Hebrides