Seabirds and Seals celebrates after scooping national prize

A LERWICK-based tour company has picked up a national accolade at the Women’s Enterprise Scotland awards.

Seabirds and Seals – The Original Noss Boat tour – was named the Service Excellence Business of the Year at the awards ceremony in Glasgow last week.

They become the first Shetland-based business to have been recognised in this way atthe Women’s Enterprise Scotland awards.

Founded in 1992 by naturalist and former skipper Dr Jonathan Wills, the business has been under the stewardship of Shetland couple Marie and Brian Leask since 2017.

The company has picked up the TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award every year since 2019 and also has VisitScotland’s 5-Star award, the highest possible standardfor visitor attractions and accommodation based on visitor experience.

Women’s Enterprise Scotland chief executive Carolyn Currie paid tribute to Seabirds and Seals following the victory.

“Our judging panel were impressed by the company’s real evidence of business progression and innovation, their support for local businesses and consistently high customer satisfaction,” she said.

“They particularly noted the strong accessibility of the tours and the enthusiastic crew.”

The Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards ceremony took place on Thursday 24 October at Glasgow’s voco Grand Central Hotel, and was attended by over 250 guests from across Scotland.

Marie and Brian Leask unfortunately could not attend in person, but thanked local entrepreneur Maria Bell for collecting their award.

Seabirds and Seals is also shortlisted as finalists under five categories at this year’s Herald Scottish Family Business awards, and look forward to attending the awards ceremony in Glasgow on 26 November.