Wilderness Scotland Ltd has won this year's VisitScotland Tourism Business of the Year award, part of the Orange National Business Awards for Scotland.

The Edinburgh-based adventure travel specialists, established in 2000, won the award for their excellent sales growth, innovative programme of adventure trips and commitment to responsible tourism.

The company offers adventure holidays and tailor-made experiences in some of the most remote parts of the country. Their commitment to protecting the remote, wild places which they visit has previously resulted in the company winning the 2003 Shell Livewire Best Business Demonstrating Ecological Sustainability award. 

Wilderness Scotland continue to promote their commitment to responsible tourism through the 'Environment & Community' section on their website and through membership of 'Wild Scotland', Scotland's wildlife and nature tourism operators association.  Members aim to provide the very best wildlife watching in Scotland, through a responsible attitude to the environment and wildlife.

The accolade recognised the impressive sales growth of the company, which employs six full-time and six part-time staff.  Sales grew by 55 per cent in the current year and the company has ambitious expansion plans for the year ahead.

"This is a fantastic boost for our business," comments company founder and director Paul Easto.

"Wilderness Scotland has enjoyed spectacular year on year growth and we believe the foundation for this is a genuinely innovative and market-leading product.

"Not long after we started our business, the country was hit by the foot and mouth crisis. This underlined to us the vital importance of having a diverse product and a wide customer base. We now offer more than 60 itineraries in 18 different locations and last year we welcomed over 1000 clients from as far afield as New Zealand and Japan.

"Scotland is a superb destination and we believe that if you offer the right combination of beautiful locations and first-class customer care, tourism can make a sustainable contribution to the communities and environments in which we operate.

"We are now considered Scotland's leading specialist adventure tour operator, and our focus in the year ahead will be to build our UK and overseas client base and the launch of a number of exciting initiatives, including wilderness journeys overseas."

For further information:

• Wilderness Scotland
• National Business Awards for Scotland