Industry News: Three Generations, Two National Awards: Woodlands Glencoe Celebrates Remarkable Double Win

A Highland family business built on three generations of hospitality has celebrated a remarkable double award success after being crowned Scottish Family Business of the Year 2026 before going on to win a prestigious national customer service award.

Woodlands Glencoe was named Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Scottish Family Business of the Year 2026, sponsored by HSBC, at a glittering awards ceremony held at Glasgow’s Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel.

Representing the Young family and the wider Woodlands team, Managing Director James Young travelled from Glencoe to Glasgow, proudly collecting the award on behalf of a business whose roots in Highland hospitality stretch back more than four decades.

The celebrations did not stop there.

As Scottish winners, Woodlands Glencoe was invited to the FSB’s national awards event at The Savoy in London, where Operations Manager Dan Ayres joined more than 300 businesses from across the UK, alongside special guest and entrepreneur Sara Davies MBE.

To the surprise and delight of the Woodlands team, the business went on to secure a second major accolade, winning the HSBC Customer Champion Award in recognition of its outstanding guest experience.

The double success marks a significant achievement for a business that remains family-owned, family-run and firmly rooted in the values established by its founders.

James Young said: “Hospitality has always been part of our family’s story and, after three generations, it truly feels part of our DNA. We’re incredibly proud of the business we’ve built at Woodlands alongside our brilliant team, and it means so much to see that recognised with a national award.

“To then go on and win the HSBC Customer Champion Award was completely unexpected. Winning one award was beyond our expectations; winning two has left us incredibly grateful and proud. These achievements belong to our fantastic team and to the wonderful guests who choose to stay with us year after year.“

A Family Story Spanning Three Generations

The Woodlands story began in the early 1980s when Norman and Jessie Young set out to create a magical Highland escape in Glencoe. In 1984, they opened the Lodge on the Loch, laying the foundations for what would become a lifelong family commitment to hospitality.

Their youngest son, Laurence Young, fresh from hospitality college, soon joined the business. It was there he met Morag, a receptionist who would become both his wife and business partner. Together, alongside Norman and Jessie, they went on to operate four hotels in Glencoe over the following three decades.

When Laurence and Morag announced their retirement in 2009, few believed it would last.

Instead, they purchased an arable farm that would eventually become Woodlands Glencoe. By 2015, a new vision was taking shape: creating immersive accommodation experiences that connect guests with nature while delivering the luxury and comfort of a boutique hotel.

From that vision came the award-winning RiverBeds Luxury Wee Lodges, SeaBeds Luxury Lookouts and Forest Corner Luxury Hideaways, alongside a growing range of activities and wellness experiences.

Today, the next generation of the Young family plays a central role in the business. James Young leads as Managing Director, while siblings Callum and Katie continue to contribute through complementary businesses that support the wider Woodlands experience. Family members, partners and team members work side-by-side to continually evolve the business while staying true to its founding values.

Three generations of the Young family now live together on the Woodlands Estate, where grandchildren Caleb, Orla, Nathan, Charlotte and Robin represent the future of a hospitality legacy that shows no signs of slowing down.

More Than Accommodation

Woodlands Glencoe has built its reputation by creating memorable experiences (luxury accommodation, activity centre, golf course, wilderness sauna & wellness) rather than simply places to stay. Nestled within one of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes, its accommodation combines contemporary design, luxury, romance and immersive nature experiences that have attracted guests from across the UK and beyond.

The business has grown significantly over the past decade, but the family believes its success continues to be driven by listening carefully to guests and creating meaningful experiences that encourage visitors to return year after year.

Winning both the FSB Scottish Family Business of the Year Award and the HSBC Customer Champion Award recognises not only the growth of the business itself, but also the dedication of the family and team behind it.

As Woodlands continues to evolve, the Young family remains committed to the principles that have guided them from the beginning: genuine hospitality, innovation, family values and a passion for sharing the beauty of the Highlands with visitors from around the world.

Learn more about Woodlands Glencoe: Discover Magic at the foot of Glencoe

The Young family at Woodlands Glencoe