Hotels in the Highlands have joined the UK-wide Help Out Hospitality campaign aimed at boosting springtime trade with coordinated special offers.
The national campaign is said to be inspired by the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme rolled out by the UK government during the Covid-19 crisis.
It hopes to encourage customers to ‘rediscover’ the best of UK hospitality by offering special deals during a period which typically sees a post-festive drop in business.
A commission-free ‘Help Out Hospitality’ online platform is now live for hospitality businesses to promote offers, attract direct bookings and offer customers the best value over the quieter winter months.
Special offers include discounted overnight hotel stays to encourage local tourism, and food and beverage offers to help make dining out more accessible, particularly for families.
Newly signed up to this effort, running from this month until the end of March, including the five-star Links House at Royal Dornoch; Highland Coast Hotels on the North Coast 500; Turas Hotels; The Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye; and The Pierhouse Hotel in Argyll.
The initiative is being led by food and drink procurement company The Full Range, which is encouraging the industry to ‘work together at a critical time’, as businesses grapple with rising food prices and wage bills.
Director of The Full Range, Barry Knight, said: “In recent years, rising food costs have put major pressure on hospitality, and upcoming changes to business rates and wage thresholds will make profitability even tougher.
“By working together, we can ease the strain and inspire people to enjoy the best of UK hospitality at a time when every visit counts.”
Phil Scott, managing director of the five-star Links House at Royal Dornoch on the NC500, said: “Help Out Hospitality is a reminder that our industry is at its best when it acts as a community. At its heart, hospitality is about generosity, connection, and shared experience, and this initiative brings those values to life.
“By standing together, sharing support, and opening our doors to one another’s audiences, we strengthen the whole sector. We’re proud to be part of something that supports independent businesses, builds resilience, and celebrates what makes Scottish hospitality so special.”
Kenny McMillan, managing director of Highland Coast Hotels, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting The Full Range campaign ‘Help Out Hospitality’ at Highland Coast Hotels.
“We’ve long championed travel beyond the traditional peak season by keeping our hotels open throughout the winter months because the NC500 route remains a truly inspiring year-round destination,” said McMillan, whose company operates Lochardil House in Inverness; Royal Marine Hotel in Brora; Royal Golf Hotel in Dornoch; Tongue Hotel, Kylesku Hotel and Plockton Inn in Wester Ross.
“Tourism is vital to sustaining the small, rural communities we operate in, supporting local employment, suppliers and the wider circular economy.
“Initiatives like Help Out Hospitality enable us to continue driving positive, responsible tourism, ensuring the North Highlands remain welcoming, vibrant and economically resilient all year round.”
Richard Drummond, director of Turas Hotels, whose properties include the Glen Mhor Hotel, Seaforth Restaurant, Uile-bheist Distillery, McKays Hotel, The Boat Country Inn, and the Cairngorm Hotel, described Help Out Hospitality as a ‘fantastic initiative’.
“At a time when the industry requires all the support and help it can get, what a great way to help drive business and pass on savings to our guests and customers.”
CEO of HIT Scotland, David Cochrane MBE, added: “The Help for Hospitality campaign will positively help businesses, the supply chain and ultimately our customers over the next few months. It’s an effective way to show support and an initiative where everyone benefits.”
