Walkhighlands is one of three businesses to reach the finals of VisitScotland’s Thistle Awards in the prestigious Innovation category. Created by VisitScotland in 1992, the Scottish Thistle Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in Scottish Tourism. Walkhighlands was nominated for the 2010 award for its social networking features developed over the last two years. These allow users to keep an online walker’s diary, upload photos, and mark their routes on licenced Ordnance Survey maps through a partnership agreement. Users can also keep a log of mountains climbed and share this with other users, as well as a number of other interactive applications. The large number of enthusiastic Walkhighlands users have helped make these features a successful part of the site.
The other finalists in this category are Rabbies Trail Burners and Whitefalls Spa Lodges based on Lewis. Walkhighlands’ members Treshnish and Haunn Cottages on Mull have also be nominated in the Sustainable Business Category, whilst guiding advertisers, Wilderness Scotland, received a further nomination. The results will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held in Edinburgh at the end of October.
Walkhighlands won the award in 2008 for the original version of our online guide to walking routes around Scotland.