Skye and Lochalsh food awards

The cream of Skye and Lochalsh’s food and hospitality sectors were honoured at a special awards ceremony at the Sligachan Hotel on the island recently.

Winners were named in 10 categories, ranging from best restaurant to best newcomer.

The awards, which were resurrected this year after a five-year break, celebrate the use of local produce by food and drink businesses in Skye and Lochalsh and the winners received A Taste of Local Food plaque to mount on the outside wall of their premises for two years.

The Taste Local Awards are run by the Skye & Lochalsh Food Link CIC in partnership with Skye Connect and celebrate the use of island produce by businesses in the area. The event is run by a committee comprising Natalie Bayfield, awards manager for Skye & Lochalsh Food Link CIC; John Corfield of the Isle of Skye Smokehouse; John Coghill of the Sligachan Hotel; and Luke Slater of Pelican Design.

Mr Corfield commented: ‘Skye is a fantastic food and drink island and represents the premium quality of Scotland’s natural produce in so many ways.

‘We are very fortunate to have so many very fine producers in the area as well as a booming hospitality industry.’

This year, a special award was presented to Shirley Spear of The Three Chimneys in Colbost for services to the sector. The awards were as follows:

Best restaurant – Edinbane Lodge

Best restaurant with rooms – Coruisk House

Best café or coffee shop – Beth’s Deli & Café

Best community café – An Crùbh

Best pop-up food event or take-away – Glendale Highland Market

Best Hotel on the Island – Cuillin Hills Hotel

Best bed and breakfast or guest house – Hillstone Lodge

Best retailer – ButhBheag Best pub – The Old Inn, Carbost

Best newcomer – Edinbane Lodge

Lifetime achievement award – The Three Chimneys, Colbost