Fort Augustus business cruises home with top award
Fort Augustus cruise company Cruise Loch Ness has sailed home as winner of the Inverness Chamber’s Outstanding Performing Small Business Award.
The win, announced at the Highland Business Awards, follows confirmation that the family-run business has also been shortlisted for two awards in the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards, to be announced in November.
Recognition for the business, run by husband and wife team Ron and Debi Mackenzie, comes as it celebrates 50 years’ trading this year. Cruise Loch Ness operates two passenger vessels and three high-speed RIBs providing capacity for 350 passengers at any one time across Loch Ness.
The business invested in the launch of a new £1.5m catamaran this year and another cruise vessel is being designed. With plans to buy two new RIBs and build a new booking office in the Highland village, Cruise Loch Ness will have invested £3.5m in the next three years to boost the local economy.
Managing director Ron Mackenzie said: ‘Winning the Outstanding Performing Small Business award is a real honour and we are absolutely delighted our team has been recognised for their on-going commitment to the area.
‘The passion and exceptional knowledge of Loch Ness has been passed on through the family to our 18 staff who love to share this with our customers.’
The Inverness Chamber Highland Business Awards, held on Friday September 28, at Drumossie Hotel, Inverness, celebrated the achievements of businesses and individuals across Highland region.