Winners of the 2024 Orkney Tourism Awards were announced at a gala event held in Kirkwall at the weekend.
Organised by Destination Orkney and sponsored by NorthLink Ferries and Orkney Harbours, the awards saw members come together to celebrate the tourism sector in the islands before the visitor season begins in earnest.
This year's awards covered eight categories, including Best Visitor Attraction and Hands-on Experience of the Year. There were also accolades for accommodation providers and Orkney's Tourism Individual of the Year.
The finalists were all chosen from a public vote by local people and visitors to Orkney over the last year.
Sanday's 59 Degrees North claimed an award for the second year running, this time winning the Best Eating Experience title for its popular cafe & pizzeria. Orkney's incredible Neolithic village of Skara Brae enjoyed double success, scooping Best Visitor Attraction and Best Outdoor Adventure Experience.
Other successes on the night included the Merkister Hotel for Best Hotel Experience, and Buxa Farm Chalets & Croft House, which won the Best Self-Catering Accommodation Experience award. Buxa's owner, Kathy Bichan, was also named Tourism Individual of the Year.
All the winners received a special awards trophy - paid for by category sponsoring businesses - with each one an original design by local artist Ruth D Brough of Orkney Inspired Art.
The winners will now be put forward by Destination Orkney for the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards and the Thistle Awards later this year.
Chair of Destination Orkney, Martin Fleet, said: “Congratulations to everyone who was shortlisted and of course our winners on the night. These awards really celebrate all the hard work, dedication, and effort our tourism businesses and staff put into welcoming people from around the world to Orkney.
“We launched the Orkney Tourism Awards in 2022 to highlight the positive impact our members have on the sector locally and to give them a chance to come together before the visitor season begins. 2025 is set to be a busy year in Orkney and we know our incredible businesses will help make it something special.”
Orkney Tourism Awards 2024 Winners
Best Eating Experience - sponsored by Lows Orkney Ltd | Best Visitor Attraction - sponsored by NB Communication |
Best Hotel Experience - sponsored by Sheila Fleet Jewellery | Best B&B or Guest House Experience - sponsored by Orkney Harbours |
Best Self-Catering Accommodation Experience - sponsored by Pentland Ferries | Best Outdoor Adventure Experience - sponsored by Excursions Ltd |
Best Hands-on Experience of the Year - sponsored by Skaill House | Tourism Individual of the Year - sponsored by Loganair LimitedKathy Bichan |