The people behind a thriving tourism industry in the Highlands and Islands have been celebrating their success at a glittering awards ceremony. Businesses and individuals working in the sector across the area were recognised at the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards (HITA), which took place at the Macdonald Drumossie Hotel in Inverness on Friday the 1st of November 2019.

The region was given a boost earlier this year when it was listed as one of the top 10 places to visit in the world by Lonely Planet. The high standard of hospitality on offer in the area now shows why it is held in such esteem across the globe, with entrepreneurs building on the success of the North Coast 500 and other ventures.

Rebecca Brooks, chair of the Thistles and a Scottish Tourist Board member, who opened the awards said:

“As chair of the industry panel, I am constantly impressed and amazed by the quality and entrepreneurism of the Highlands and Islands, punching well above your weight every year.”

The enduring appeal of the Highlands is what sells Scotland. It’s almost impossible to sell a programme of Scotland without including the Highlands – everybody wants to come here.

The Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards continue to celebrate the very best of tourism and on behalf of the Scottish Thistle Awards industry panel I would like to congratulate all of the finalists.”

Laurence Young, chairman of the HITA board, also commented:

“In recent years, tourism has been thriving across the Highlands and Islands and it just gets more and more important for the economy and for communities.

Visitors are the lifeblood of remote and rural populations – and all those who work in tourism and support them are heroes in my eyes.
That’s why these awards are such a key part of the tourism industry in the Highlands and Islands, and why it’s absolutely imperative that we celebrate the effort, skill and success of those driving it forward.”

There were 15 categories at the awards – the headline sponsor being SSE and each individual category having its own sponsor – with excellence rewarded in areas such as food and drink, accommodation, visitor attractions, events, innovation and much more.

The Highland Ambassador is of particular prestige at the awards, defined as a “representative of the highest rank”, the tourism ambassador is always someone who achieves success in their own business, but also gives their time and skills they have gained over many years of voluntary service to the industry. This year, the winner of the Highland Ambassador was Anne Gracie Gunn. Anne, who is also a native Gaelic speaker, has had a successful career in the tourism industry with her accommodation offerings, she has also won many awards and been part of many boards including Skye Connect.

Kate Forbes, Scotland’s minister for public finance and digital economy, addressed the audience at the ceremony. She said:

“We need to continue to invest in our unique culture and heritage infrastructure which is key to attracting visitors. In some of our remote and rural areas, you are the ones creating jobs, creating local employment and ensuring that there is local economic growth.
We have a thriving tourism industry and there are real opportunities on the horizon – including the 2020 year of coasts and waters, to highlight those attributes.”

Winners of HITA awards – with the exception of the Highland Ambassador and Highland Rising Star – automatically qualify for a place in the nationals, the Scottish Thistle Awards, which are due to take place in March 2020.

Ambitious plans are being drawn up to transform a landmark building at John O’Groats into a new tourist attraction based on locally brewed craft ale.

John O’Groats Brewery is proposing to create a brewery, tasting room and visitor centre at the Last House, which has been unoccupied for almost a year.

A planning application for change of use has been lodged with Highland Council and, if approval is granted, the venture could be under way by Easter 2020.

The development – costing around £250,000 – would add to the existing brewery operation at the village’s old fire station and would be a new experience on the North Coast 500 touring route.

The plan has the full backing of Heritage Great Britain, the company that owns the Last House. The building is thought to be more than 100 years old and has previously been used as a shop, as well as a small museum.

Andrew Mowat, one of the directors of John O’Groats Brewery, believes the development will further enhance the village’s tourism appeal if it gets the go-ahead.

“It’ll be a brewery and visitor experience with a tasting room and shop along with an audiovisual display and information about the area and how the beer is made, with a little tour at the end where people can go round,” Mr Mowat said.

“The beer will be the mainstay of it, but we’ll try to incorporate a bit of local interest where we can. One of the things we might look at is extracts from some of the old visitors’ books from the John O’Groats hotel from way back in the late 1800s or early 1900s.

“We’ll keep the existing brewery where it is, in situ, and we’ll put a new, smaller kit into the new building so we’ll have the capability of two areas where we can brew in.

“The emphasis will be more on the visitor experience – people coming in to taste it, and to get the tour. Where it is just now in the old fire station is just like a small factory, really – it’s not set up to look nice for tourists.

“It gives John O’Groats another attraction and it’s not competing against anybody else, and it’ll hold people for a bit longer. If people can spend an hour to an hour-and-a-half doing the tour, sitting having a taste, that’s an hour-and-a-half longer they’re in Groats.

“They might then go on and have a cup of coffee somewhere else, or something to eat, and maybe stay. That’s the idea, and we can expand our business as well.”

John O’Groats Brewery was set up in 2015, with the first batch of beer ready by early 2016. At present it produces three bottled beers, four main cask ales and some specials.

The plan for the Last House comes at a time when micro-breweries and craft ales are on the rise generally across the country.

Mr Mowat, who is treasurer of John O’Groats Development Trust and proprietor of the Seaview Hotel, said: “More and more people are asking for it. I know that from the hotel – they want to try the local thing wherever they are.”

Allan Leech, CEO of Heritage Great Britain, said: “To find the right venture for the Last House was absolutely critical, not just for us as a business but for the visitor experience and the success of John O’Groats.

“It sits right in the heart of John O’Groats, next to the signpost which gets 100 per cent of all visitors.

“I’ve known Andrew for many years and we have worked together on other projects at John O’Groats. When he said the brewery boys would like to have a chat it seemed a bit of a perfect match.

“This is also going to showcase the history of John O’Groats, the visitor experience at John O’Groats, and it’s going to be really high quality.

“As we’re finding more and more now, people want a true experience and a true sense of place.

“It was probably one of our most important decisions to find the right people to go in. That’s why it has sat empty for nearly a year.

“When the brewery chaps came along with this concept, that they were going to take their brewing skills and place them into a visitor experience with retail attached to it, but also showcasing the history of John O’Groats, it was a no-brainer.

“They’re going to be the custodians of the Last House.

“They’re really good chaps, local guys, and we’re really looking forward to seeing it coming to fruition. We’re fully behind them.”

John O’Groats and the wider area is benefiting from the growth in popularity of the North Coast 500, according to Mr Mowat.

“There’s more and more people visiting these days. There are people moving about in the quieter times,” he said.

“It [the NC500] is definitely helping. I dare say people not going abroad on holiday and Brexit and the pound plays a part too, but in general terms the whole area seems to be busier.”

Mr Mowat believes the Last House dates back more than a century. The traditional low-lying croft house featured in countless souvenir snapshots over the years as visitors reached the “end of the road”.

“The last person to live in it was called Maggie Mowat,” he said. “She was a fairly far-out relation of mine, and I do remember her when I was young. After that it became a shop for a time.

“It’s just lying empty now. It has not been looking very good for the last year or two, so it’ll spruce up that whole area.”

Earlier this year John O’Groats Brewery was awarded a bronze medal for its oatmeal stout in the London Beer Competition, the first event of its kind the company had entered.

The other three directors are Simon Cottam, Allan Farquhar and John Mainprize.

Meanwhile, there are unrelated plans for a micro whisky distillery at John O’Groats. The couple behind the venture, Kerry and Derek Campbell, from Thurso, hope it will create local employment and attract visitors.

Source – John O’Groat Journal

A quick roundup of news and blog posts from around the web from members of the Chamber:

Arch Henderson LLP – Engineering Project of the Year

The Dublin Ro-Ro Jetty Project, delivered by Arch Henderson LLP and partners, has been shortlisted for the ‘Engineering Project of the Year’ at the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards 2019.

Arch Henderson LLP – Into the New Millennium

Arch Henderson continue their history of the company over the past 100 years with a look at their work in the 21st Century

Caithness Voluntary Group – Magic Little Grants

Small charities and community groups that are either in their first year of operation or have an annual income of under £250,000 are being offered the chance to apply for a grant of £500

Caithness Voluntary Group – One minute survey

Caithness Voluntary Group are seeking feedback to enable the support they deliver to be even better.

Caithness Voluntary Group – Still time to grab a grant for 2019

Action Earth grants are still available to any group of volunteers carrying out practical environmental improvements or wildlife habitat creation in their local green spaces.

Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd – Dounreay supplier day looks at clean-up opportunities

Dounreay’s latest supplier information day, hosted jointly with companies appointed to its decommissioning services framework, has proved popular with companies from around the UK.

Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd – Japanese nuclear industry bosses to learn lessons from multi-million-pound Dounreay decommissioning project

A Highland councillor has forged links with Japanese nuclear industry bosses to share knowledge of the multi-million pound Dounreay decommissioning project.

Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd – Supply chain day September 2019

Dunnet Bay Distillers – Spooky Halloween Drinks

Join Dunnet Bay Distillers on 1 November for a spooky fireside cocktail.

Go Golspie! Development Trust – Golspie YMCA building – have your say!

Impact Hub Inverness with CH Architecture has been commissioned by Go Golspie to produce a feasibility study and business plan to assess the suitability of the YMCA building for conversion to a community-owned building.

Highland Council – Council appoints Executive Chief Officers

The Highland Council has announced two more appointments to new posts of Executive Chief Officer as part of the Council’s redesign programme.

Highland Council – Highland Council Cuts 800,000+ Miles With Enterprise Car Club

The Highland Council has reduced its annual business mileage by more than 825,000 miles and made cost savings in excess of £400,000 in the first 12 months since introducing Enterprise Car Club

Highland Council – Highland schools continue to make the grade in delivery of school sport

A record number of Scottish schools including 20 from Highland have received a prestigious award from sportscotland in recognition of their commitment to putting sport at the heart of the school ethos.

Mackays Hotel – Halloween in the Highlands

A guide to Highland Halloween traditions from the Mackays Hotel team.

Scrabster Harbour Trust – Weekly Update 25 October 2019

All the latest from Scrabster Harbour Trust.

SNC-Lavalin (Atkins) – Atkins and the Institution of Engineering and Technology launch digital twin guide

Atkins and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) have launched a new report to answer fundamental questions about the opportunities, benefits, challenges and risks of digital twins.

SNC-Lavalin (Atkins) – Atkins to provide engineering and technical services as part of the Technical Support Alliance at Hinkley Point C

Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract by NNB GenCo to provide engineering and technical services to the Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear power plant.

Together Travel – Welcome to Together Travel Luxury Holiday Cottages

This is just a short roundup of stories we’ve spotted over the past week. We are always keen to promote good news and events on our members’ behalf, so contact us today if you’ve got something to share!

See an online copy of the latest Executive Magazine which is published monthly. The October edition includes a double page spread on the Chamber annual dinner from page 60.

We submit information from members for inclusion within the magazine on a first come, first served basis. Members can submit to us, a short editorial piece and one print quality image for free of charge inclusion on a quarterly basis. This opportunity is usually very popular so if you’ve got something you’d like to circulate, please just get in touch.

A quick roundup of news and blog posts from around the web from members of the Chamber:

Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd – Beatrice offshore wind farm shortlisted three times in Scottish Green Energy Awards

The Beatrice offshore wind farm, located 13km off the coast of Caithness, has been shortlisted for Best Engagement, Best Practice, and Outstanding Project

Care & Learning Alliance – Safe Tea Campaign

Launched on 16 October 2019, this new campaign aims to reduce hot drink scalds and improve first aid for children’s burns.

Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd – Dounreay waste store construction work ahead of schedule

Work on the new waste store at the Dounreay site is proceeding ahead of schedule, with the 3,100 tonne concrete floor slab just completed. A video of construction work can be viewed here:

Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd & Nuclear Decommissioning Authority – Dounreay learning shared at Japanese fast reactor

Dialogue has begun between stakeholders around the Dounreay nuclear site and those in Tsuruga, Japan, where work is beginning to decommission the Monju fast breeder reactor.

Dunnet Bay Distillers – Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year!!!

The Caithness-based distillery won the award at the Scottish Gin Awards 2019, along with Distilled Gin of the Year and a silver in the Old Tom category

Highland BlindCraft – Highland BlindCraft: Where it all began

A short history of Highland BlindCraft and the valuable work it does to provide opportunities to individuals with a range of disabilities.

Highland Council – People of Wick have their say in improvements to the town

An update on progress of the Wick Street Design project.

Highland Office Equipment – Brexit Statement

The Inverness-based office equipment specialist provides an update for clients on how they are preparing for Brexit.

Mackays Hotel – Mackays’ Malts: November

This month highlighting the smoky, sweet Tomatin Cù Bòcan

Macleod & MacCallum – Are vegetarianism and veganism protected Equality Act characteristics?!

An informative and useful update on a recent Employment Tribunal review and the potential impacts on employers and consumer service providers.

North Highland College UHI – Graduation 2019 in 3 words

North Highland College UHI asked students and staff to describe their graduation experience in 3 words. See the short video here:

North Lands Creative – Calum Dawes: Bette and Michael Rogers Scholarship

A blog from a recent scholarship recipient on how attending a class at North Lands Creative affected his creative practice.

Orion Group – Blog from the Cog: Warmers, Tasters & Grinders

A lighthearted look at some of the more unusual jobs seen as part of the recruitment industry, and some advice on how to prepare your CV.

Scrabster Harbour Trust – Weekly Update 18 October 2019

All the latest from Scrabster Harbour Trust.

SSE – Contracts up for grabs in Scotland’s offshore wind industry

Major renewables developer SSE Renewables is urging Scottish businesses to bid for a host of contracts ahead of construction of Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm.

SSE – Customers save £14,000 in three months thanks to new energy advice programme

This first-of-its-kind partnership between SSEN and Citizens Advice Bureaux has seen four specialist energy advisors recruited to help clients across the North of Scotland.

VisitScotland – Great places to see Highland cows in Scotland

A great guide for visitors on one of Scotland’s most sought-after experiences – and featuring the North of Scotland.

This is just a short roundup of stories we’ve spotted over the past week. We are always keen to promote good news and events on our members’ behalf, so contact us today if you’ve got something to share!

The Beatrice offshore wind farm is in contention for three honours at the 2019 Scottish Green Energy Awards. The awards will see 44 individuals, companies and projects vie for prizes in 12 categories at a ceremony in Edinburgh later this year.

The £2.5 billion Beatrice scheme is shortlisted for best engagement, best practice and outstanding project. The development, located 13km off the east coast of Caithness, was officially opened this summer by the Duke of Rothesay.

The shortlist for the awards includes charities, community groups and “innovation in spades”, according to Claire Mack, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, which organises the annual event. She said: “It’s impossible not to be bowled over by the quality of nominations we received for the awards this year. “Our judges, as ever, struggled to pick even the shortlist, let alone the winners. The contenders show passion, commitment and innovation in spades, and should be proud to have made it this far. “We’re looking forward to a great night in Edinburgh on December 5 as we celebrate our industry’s contribution to Scotland’s economy and environment.

The awards are headline-sponsored by EDF Renewables. Its CEO Matthieu Hue said: “The shortlist for the Scottish Green Energy Awards clearly shows the talent that exists within Scotland’s renewables industry. “I’m always encouraged by the enthusiastic and passionate people we have in this country who are making a very worthwhile contribution to our low-carbon future. “We are proud to support the Scottish Green Energy Awards, and look forward to finding out who has been lucky enough to pick up a prize in Edinburgh in December.” The 588MW Beatrice wind farm is the fourth largest project of its kind in the world and the biggest in Scotland.

The full shortlist is:

Best Community Project Award, sponsored by SSE Renewables

  • Dundee City Council for electric mobility strategy
  • North Uist Development Company for UistWind
  • Canna Renewable Energy and Electrification for The CREE Project, Isle of Canna
  • West Highland Housing Association for Aldersyde heat project

Best Engagement Award, sponsored by Xodus

  • Muirhall Energy for Crossdykes Wind Farm
  • Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd
  • Foundation Scotland & Vattenfall for the Unlock our Future Fund
  • Fife Council for Glenrothes Energy Network

Best Innovation Award, sponsored by Red Rock Power Limited

  • Limpet Technology for the Get up Safe system
  • Renewable Exchange for PPA Marketplace
  • ScottishPower Renewables and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy for Virtual Synchronous Machine software
  • StorTera for the Single Liquid Flow Battery

Best Practice Award, sponsored by Natural Power

  • Energy Institute for SafetyOn
  • Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd for ALARP Design Procedure
  • Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks for Biodiversity Site Optioneering Toolkit
  • ORE Catapult and Natural Power for Wind Energy Benchmarking Services

Carbon Reduction Award, sponsored by SmartestEnergy

  • Balfour Beatty, Dundee City Council and ESB for Caird Park Low Carbon District Energy Hub
  • Glenmorangie for Dornoch Firth Distillery by-product management
  • Renewable Parts’ Refurbishment Centre
  • Aberdeen City Council for The Event Complex Aberdeen

Champion of Renewables, sponsored by National Grid ESO

  • Dr Chris Pendlebury, Natural Power
  • Dave Pearson, Star Renewable Energy
  • Sian Wilson, Crown Estate Scotland
  • Úna Brosnan, Atkins

Contribution to Skills Award, sponsored by Scottish Government (Scottish National Investment Bank)

  • ORE Catapult for STEM Club Start-Up
  • The University of Edinburgh for the Policy and Innovation Group
  • ESP for Wind and Marine Training Network

Outstanding Project Award, sponsored by Innogy Renewables UK Ltd

  • Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd
  • European Marine Energy Centre for HyDIME
  • SP Energy Networks for Green Economy Fund
  • Aberdeen City Council for The Event Complex Aberdeen

Outstanding Service Award, sponsored by Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group

  • Arup
  • Seaway 7 and Atkins
  • Green Marine
  • McFadyens Transport

Sustainable Development Award, sponsored by ABB

  • Aberdeen City Council for hydrogen strategy
  • Balfour Beatty, Dundee City Council and ESB for Caird Park Low Carbon District Energy Hub
  • Jon Clipsham, European Marine Energy Centre
  • Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks for Biodiversity Site Optioneering Toolkit

Young and Inspiring Award, sponsored by WSP

  • Daniel Coles, SIMEC Atlantis Energy
  • Ethan Glencross, Renewable Parts
  • Adele Brownlie, EDP Renewables
  • Hannah Houston, University of Strathclyde

Outstanding Contribution Award, sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  • Winner announced on the night

A quick roundup of news and blog posts from around the web from members of the Chamber:

This is just a short roundup of stories we’ve spotted over the past week. We are always keen to promote good news and events on our members’ behalf, so contact us today if you’ve got something to share!

A CAITHNESS business toasted its success after being named the Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year.

Dunnet Bay Distillers won the prestigious award at a ceremony attended by almost 600 guests in Glasgow on Thursday night.

The firm, which was started just five years ago, also collected a gold award for its Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin Winter Edition and a silver award for Rock Rose Old Tom Pink Grapefruit.

Claire Murray, who started the enterprise with husband Martin, said: “We are just delighted to win Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year. It is a real achievement and testament to all the hard work that our fabulous wee team put in.

“Over 170 gins entered the awards, so to make it through to the finals alone is fab. It’s great to see a strong Caithness representation with Ice and Fire also reaching the final stages.

“We’re really lucky to have such brilliant local support, and we have Caithness exiles shouting about us everywhere – it is amazing to be bringing this award back home to Caithness.”

Dunnet Bay Distillers, which has seen huge growth for its Rock Rose gins worldwide, was praised for its commitment to sustainable business practices, community engagement and investment in people as a key employer in the area.

The winners were announced after a rigorous judging process which involved 30 leading experts from across the UK, the assessment of 104 written entries and the blind tasting of 173 gins, all distilled in Scotland. The top award went to the Caithness firm.

2019-10-16 - Dunnet Bay Distillers News Item

The chairman of the judging panel, Alex Bruce, congratulated all the Scottish distilleries and supporting businesses that were successful.

He said: “Winning a Scottish Gin Awards medal is a significant achievement and provides a huge opportunity to promote Scottish gin both at home and abroad. I hope that tonight’s winners will take the opportunity to promote their successes in what was the largest and toughest competition to date.

“Such is global demand in the gin category, we have increasing competition. But right across the food and drink industry, Scotland enjoys an enviable reputation for quality, innovation and endeavour, so let’s continue to work for, and with, that well-deserved reputation.”

The Orkney Distillery received a silver medal for its high strength gin, Kirkjuvagr Arkh-Angell.

The competition – now in its third year – conducted a Scotland-wide search for the best gins and gin businesses. One hundred and seventeen gins made it to the finals.

The awards raise funds for two nominated charities – The BEN, the Benevolent Society of the Licensed Trade of Scotland, and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, set up by rugby legend Doddie Weir to help improve the lives of those affected by motor neurone disease.

Dunnet Bay Distillers has won a number of awards in the past five years.

A year after setting up the firm took the award for the best new business at the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards.

The same year Dunnet Bay Distillers featured among the prize-winners at the Great Taste Awards and the Global Gin Masters, while Rock Rose was chosen as the best new launch design at the World Gin Awards.

In 2016, the company won the new product category at the Highlands and Islands Food and Drinks awards for its Holy Grass vodka.

Source – John O’Groat Journal

Cavendish Nuclear are delighted to announce that two of their employees have been appointed into key positions within Women in Nuclear (WiN) UK.

Lynsey Valentine, Strategy Director, Cavendish Nuclear has been appointed as the new WiN UK President! Lynsey will formally take her position in January 2020 but will join the WiN Executive

Board with immediate effect, providing a three month partnering period to enable a smooth transition.

Lynsey has worked in the nuclear industry for 17 years. Having completed a chemistry degree at the University of Oxford, she started her career as a young graduate female in a technical role working in predominantly male dominated teams. This journey provided first-hand experience of the challenges and obstacles that can prevent young women being successful in our industry. This is a key driver for Lynsey’s passion to inspire others and support gender balance in our industry.

Lynsey said; “The Nuclear Industry is a fantastic industry and I want to be part of the team that achieves the government target of 40% of women in the nuclear sector by 2030. I am delighted to lead Women in Nuclear as their President and can’t wait meet everyone and to continue the WiN UK journey!”

Janet Fletcher, Head of Product & Services, Cavendish Nuclear has been appointed as a new WiN UK Vice President! Janet will formally take position in January 2020 but will also join the WiN Executive Board with immediate effect.

Janet has over 15 years’ experience in the nuclear industry, 10 of which in operational roles. With a wealth of personal experience to offer, Janet is passionate about creating opportunities to inspire women across the UK and she has mentored a number of young women in their careers and continues to do so.

Janet said; “People are at the core of our industry and diversity plays a huge part in our success. I am passionate about WiN UK and I want to inspire women across the UK to become the best versions of themselves. I am keen to build on the successes so far of WiN and further develop it in order to exceed the Nuclear Sector Deal targets and create something different for our collective future.”

Simon Bowen, Chief Executive at Cavendish Nuclear said:

“The Women in Nuclear organisation will continue to play a crucial part in the Nuclear Industry’s ambitions to achieve 40% female employees by 2030. It’s a huge privilege for Cavendish Nuclear to employ two such talented leaders that were rightly selected to lead WiN during this important period”.

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