We were very pleased to be nominated for several awards this year and have been fairly overwhelmed at the results. We were winners for two awards,are finalists for two awards, have one highly commended award and an unexpected honour! One of the best aspects about award ceremonies, we have discovered, is the opportunity to meet lots of other business owners who are providing innovative and inspirational experiences for their customers.
We are of course delighted at this recognition in the business and tourism world of the standard of experience we aim to achieve for our guests. The variety of awards reflects the different aspects of our business that we are very proud of. The leadership of owner and skipper, Rob Barlow, the care we have for our guests, the quality of the food we serve, the innovation of our cruise itineraries, and the passion we have for the natural environment.
The awards we achieved in 2024 are:
-The Herald Scottish Family Business Awards: Winner Green Family Business of the Year Award
-Highlands and Islands Business Excellence Awards: Hebrides Cruises owner, Rob Barlow, is awarded The Scottish National Investment Bank Award for Outstanding Business Leader.
-Highlands and Islands Business Excellence Awards: finalist for The Loganair Award for Excellence in Customer Service, Care & Experience.
-Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards: Innovation in Tourism; Highly Commended.
-RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards: Finalist for the Nature Tourism Award.
-Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards: Finalist for Best Food and Drink Tourism Experience.
A totally unexpected honour received by our Shore Manager Emma, was to be included in the 2024 Top 100 Women In Tourism.
Finally, we are very proud of our Green Tourism Gold Award which we have gained for the third year at very high passes in every category.
Emma, James and all of the Hebrides Cruises team - thank you for the most wonderful, memorable experience aboard Lucy Mary last weekend on the Hebrides Magical Mini-Cruise. We are missing it all so much already! Every single detail was so perfect, from the minute we stepped on board and were welcomed so warmly by the crew with the lovely Prosecco and canapés to the excitement of setting sail and knowing that we and our cruise companions had all begun a unique adventure together, making lifetime memories in the most tranquil, spiritual setting that would bond us all. Everything felt familiar and like home so quickly but also so far away from our day to day reality which didn’t creep in and disturb us once. We were utterly immersed in the experience and the wildlife aspect was simply phenomenal. I still can’t quite believe we actually experienced those moments. The anticipation of a ‘spot’, seeing a beastie emerge and sharing the wonder of that experience together as a group. Those are etched memories and I know how moved and elated every single person in our group was, time and time again on our trip. Having a pod of common dolphins, followed by bottle nose dolphins bow riding Lucy Mary as we journeyed towards Ardtornish was a moment we will never forget. It was other worldly and really quite emotional. The depth of knowledge and experience James has gave us the experiences we were so lucky to have, and having a wildlife guide on board is one of the most unique aspects of the cruise. James and Bella knew exactly what to look for in the waters which led to a successful spot each time - whales, dolphins, porpoises and all manner of sea birds. We had such lovely cruise companions - we all bonded and became very fond of each other quickly, with Hebrides Cruises creating the foundation for that with the quality of the experience. I hadn't appreciated just how much we would enjoy that aspect, being around people we had never met. It really is such a special part of the experience. The accommodation was so comfortable -
Andrew Wilson: 19 April 2024Hebrides Magical Mini Cruise