Scotland’s Highlands and Islands has honoured this year’s businesses at the tenth annual awards dinner in Inverness on 24th October. Over 300 industry representatives including more 40 businesses attended, with winners of the 14 categories ranging from breweries and bakeries to restaurants and retailers.
The top honour of the evening – The Ambassador of the Year Award – was presented to Shirley Spear (pictured), founder and director of The Three Chimneys and the House Over-By, exactly 30 years after the restaurant opened its doors to the public.
Shirley Spear, said: ‘I am inordinately proud of all that my husband Eddie and I have achieved, developed and sustained over the past 30 years, despite our remote location and sometimes inhospitable circumstances.’
Meanwhile, the Restaurant of the Year Award was presented to Station Road at the Lovat Loch Ness in Fort Augustus, and the Best Eatery Award went to Frankie’s Fish & Chips in Shetland.
Chris Taylor, Head of Tourism, Food & Drink at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), commented: ‘Once again, food and drink businesses from across the Highlands and Islands have risen to the challenge and ensured the reputation of our produce and natural larder as amongst the best in the world.
‘Across our region, HIE staff support businesses and producers to develop new ranges and reach new markets and it is heartening to see so many of them represented here.’
The Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Award-winners were as follows:
Ambassador of the Year
SHIRLEY SPEAR, THE THREE CHIMNEYS AND THE HOUSE OVER-BY, Isle of Skye
Judges’ Award
HIGHLAND CORDIALS, Kiltarlity – NETTLE & GINGER CORDIAL
Young Shining Star Award
Winner: ANNIE BODY, ANNIE’S BAKERY, Canisbay, Caithness
Best Drink Award
Winner: CAIRNGORM BREWERY, Aviemore – RANGE OF 12 BEERS
Best Marketing Initiative Award
Winner: DALWHINNIE DISTILLERY
Environment Award
Winner: ISLE OF SKYE SEA SALT COMPANY
Healthier Food and Drink Award
THE SCOTTISH GOAT MEAT COMPANY, Keith
Export Award
Winner: LOCH DUART LTD, Scourie
Food & Drink Business Growth Award
FAO27, Avoch, Ross-shire
Independent Food and Drink Retailer of the Year Award
Winner: SKYE FARM SHOP, Isle of Skye
New Business Award
Winner: ORKNEY BUFFALO, Orkney
New Product Award
Winner: BLACK ISLE DAIRY, Daviot, Inverness-shire – DAIRY ICE CREAM RANGE
Best Eatery Award
Winner: FRANKIE’S FISH & CHIPS, Shetland
Special Commendation: GOOD HIGHLAND FOOD, Moy, Inverness-shire
Restaurant of the Year Award
STATION ROAD AT THE LOVAT LOCH NESS, Fort Augustus