Woodlands Glencoe, once a farm, has transformed into a luxury tourism destination, and now is named the UK Small Business of the Year at the Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) annual ‘Celebrating Small Business Awards’.

Family-run tourism business, Woodlands Glencoe, beat over 3,100 entrants and 132 regional and national award winners to land the top accolade.

The business – which includes an estate, café (currently closed due to covid restrictions), activity centre, golf course, and 17 luxury lodges with hot tubs – scooped the top award because of its impressive growth rate and commitment to the local community.

In just over ten years, the business grew its revenue by almost 2000% (from £45,000 in 2009 to £900,000 in 2020) and the firm offers their activities free to local fundraising groups.

They now have 22 employees, up from just two a decade ago, providing important opportunities in rural Scotland.

In addition to winning the overall UK Small Business of the Year Award, Woodlands Glencoe also walked away with the UK Business and Product Innovation Award.

Woodlands Glencoe’s Development Director, James Young, said: “At our heart, we’re a family firm that’s spent more than a decade building and diversifying our business. That’s meant a huge amount of hard work and careful planning. It’s phenomenal to see all of this hard work recognised by FSB.

“Tourism in Scotland has faced huge challenges over the last year, but we know that our business, industry and country will bounce back. By innovating and investing, we can build back the strength of our sector and our local communities.”

Discover Glencoe Chairperson, Harriet Eadie, added: “Huge congratulations to Woodlands Glencoe and the Young family on this fantastic achievement. Great for all of us to have a Discover Glencoe member in the national spotlight like this.

“And on a personal level as a near neighbour I have watched in awe their constant hard work over lock down – building, landscaping and tree planting. It’s great to see new activities at Woodlands Glencoe now on stream that guests of many of our Discover Glencoe businesses can enjoy.”