Tourism Awards Banquet

We pride ourselves on creating experiences that go beyond the ordinary. Hosting the Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards is always a highlight and a showcase event we look forward to each year. We are excited to share a behind-the-scenes look at this remarkable celebration. The event not only honoured the best in tourism but also positioned The Kingsmills Hotel as a leading destination for a luxury Inverness banquet.

Arrival in Style

Guests stepped into an atmosphere of elegance from the moment they arrived. The hotel glowed in a deep purple light, chosen as the signature colour of the night. Bagpipes welcomed attendees at the door, creating a truly Highland start to the evening.

A VIP Welcome

VIP ticket holders began their evening in the beautifully styled Burns, Macleod, and Inglis Rooms. These spaces offered an exclusive drinks reception in a dramatic and luxurious setting. Guests enjoyed the chance to network and connect before moving on to the main celebration.

The Kingsmills Suite

Our largest event space, the Kingsmills Suite, became the heart of the night. We transformed it into a stunning Inverness banquet hall for 340 guests. Long rustic feasting tables stretched the length of the room, dressed with candelabras and elaborate floral arrangements by local florists. Every detail enhanced the atmosphere, ensuring the perfect setting for celebration and connection.

A Culinary Journey

The menu was designed as a journey through storytelling, with each course inspired by Scotland’s culture and heritage. Guests enjoyed canapés with a Scottish twist, including pork and haggis sausage rolls and peppered mackerel rillette.

The first course, Wild Cod & Scottish Langoustine Presse, took inspiration from David Shannon’s Jangles – A Big Fish Story. The main course paid homage to J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, with a magical roasted venison fillet from Newtonmore. To finish, the dessert celebrated whisky heritage with a playful Baked Islay Lagavulin Ice Cream, inspired by Whisky Galore.

Vegetarian and alternative dishes were also carefully crafted to ensure every guest could enjoy the banquet experience.

Expert Partnerships

We were proud to collaborate with local events companies to bring this celebration to life. From staging and AV to creative menu design, every detail contributed to the success of the event.

Host Your Inverness Banquet at The Kingsmills

The Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards demonstrated what makes The Kingsmills Hotel the perfect venue for an Inverness banquet. From elegant arrival experiences to dramatic dining spaces and creative menus, we offer the expertise to bring your vision to life.

Whether you are planning an awards dinner, a corporate gala, or a private celebration, our team will help you create an event that is memorable, meaningful, and uniquely Highland.