Award for Sutherland hotel that goes the extra mile
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Scourie Hotel is one of the winners in this year’s Helping It Happen Awards which shine a light on businesses that are going the extra mile to help rural Scotland thrive.
The award was for the hotel's investment in the 'complete coastal tourism experience to benefit visitors and the environment'.
The third Helping It Happen Awards were held at the Sheraton Hotel, Edinburgh. Hosted by organisers the Scottish Land and Estates, the evening was compered by Anne Lundon, presenter of BBC’s Landward and a strong supporter of the campaign.
Scourie Hotel has been welcoming guests to west Sutherland for more than 170 years. Its claim to be a 'complete coastal tourism experience' is partly due to its restaurant and bars offering a home from home atmosphere to anglers who want to enjoy some of Scotland’s finest wild brown trout fishing on the hotel’s 300 lochs and lochans.
The Campbell family purchased the business in 2015 and began a continuous and transformational refurbishment programme.
The hotel is a stopping off place for NC500, which passes its door. The local area offers good walking, wildlife, visits to Handa Island and arguably some of Britain’s finest beaches, all within a stone’s throw.
Last year the hotel established its own kitchen garden, which, with its own smokery, offers guests and customers the finest ingredients with the fewest food miles. Home-grown fruit, vegetables and herbs are served throughout the season.
Fish and seafood comes fresh from local boats. Meat is from butchers in Dingwall, and game from Ardgay. Wine and beers are supplied from an independent vintner and Scottish breweries.
The refurbishment of all 21 rooms has led to a 92 per cent occupancy rate. The hotel employs 16 people, half of whom are permanent residents within Scourie. Development plans for the property include the construction of additional rooms.
