Green accolade is ‘icing on the cake’ for Loch Ness Hub Highland Heroes
ENCOURAGING slow, sustainable tourism from the heart of one of the busiest visitor hotspots in the region saw a Loch Ness initiative scoop a prestigious Highland Heroes accolade.
And for Loch Ness Hub managing director Russell Fraser, the Green Hero award was the “icing on the cake” for a team which has worked hard to achieve the gold standard in sustainable tourism.
The community initiative, based in Drumnadrochit, was nominated as a beacon of sustainable innovation and environmental stewardship in the Highlands.
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Loch Ness Hub is community-led and champions eco-conscious tourism, supporting local communities and preserving the natural beauty of the area, a magnet for visitors from around the world.
The hub connects visitors with eco-friendly tours, encouraging sustainable and active travel, helping to reduce carbon footprint. Committed to waste reduction and environmental education, it collaborates with local businesses to promote green tourism and support community clean-ups.
Mr Fraser said: “This is really the icing on the cake following on from the back of the Gold Green Tourism accreditation that we received last year. The team worked incredibly hard to gain that accreditation.
“Ever since our set up, part of our ethos is slow, sustainable, responsible tourism and there’s a whole number of elements that come along with that. The Green Hero award from the public is, as I say, the icing on the cake.”
The award, sponsored by The Sprngfield Group, looks to recognise an individual who inspires others to care for the environment and brings environmental projects to life helping create a cleaner, green future.
Finalists included Peter Doherty of Inverness Kart Raceway and Green Hive Nairn.
More than 400 guests attended the upbeat awards ceremony at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness. More than 10,000 people voted for their favourites on a shortlist of finalists selected by judges.
