Double award delight!
We’re absolutely thrilled to share that Woodlands Glencoe has been named the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Scottish Family Business of the Year 2026, proudly sponsored by HSBC! The awards ceremony took place at the beautiful Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow, where Managing Director, James Young, swapped the Highlands for the city lights and, kilted up for the occasion, represented the Young family and the entire Woodlands team.
To receive this recognition from such a respected organisation is an incredible honour, made even more special by HSBC’s long-standing support of Woodlands Glencoe throughout our growth journey. And the celebrations didn’t stop there! As winners, we were invited to a prestigious national event at The Savoy in London. Our Operations Manager, Dan Ayres, joined over 300 businesses from across the UK, plus Sara Davies of Dragon’s Den!
To our complete surprise and delight, we went on to win a second award, the HSBC Customer Champion Award! To be recognised not only as Scotland’s Family Business of the Year, but also for delivering exceptional customer experiences, was truly overwhelming. 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. Thank you for being part of our story!
A family built on hospitality
Behind Woodlands Glencoe is a story of three generations of the Young family living together on the Woodlands Estate, surrounded by a lively mix of dogs, horses, hens and children, with Caleb (5), Orla (3), Nathan (2), Charlotte (1) & Robin (1) already in training!
The story began in the early 1980s, when Norman & Jessie Young set out to create a magical Highland escape in Glencoe. In 1984, the Lodge on the Loch was born, marking the start of the Young family’s long-standing love affair with hospitality. Their youngest son, Laurence, fresh from hospitality college and unable to resist the family trade, soon joined the business. It was there he met Morag, the beautiful receptionist who would become both his wife and business partner. Together with Norman & Jessie, Laurence & Morag went on to run four hotels in Glencoe over the next three decades. Hotel life wasn’t just a job; it was a way of life.
No rest for the Youngs!
In 2009, Laurence & Morag announced their retirement. Nobody really believed them and, as it turned out, rightly so! Rather than slowing down, they bought an arable farm that would eventually become Woodlands Glencoe.
By 2015, another idea was taking shape: to reimagine traditional hotel stays and create experiences that immerse guests in nature, while still offering the luxuries people love. From this vision, RiverBeds, SeaBeds and Forest Corner were born, plus busy Activity Centre and Wellness spaces!
Fortunately for Laurence & Morag, there was plenty of family support! Growing up in hospitality meant Callum, James and Katie Young had the industry in their blood from day one. Today, each plays a role in the business, with James and Katie also bringing their partners, Jess & Brian, into the family operation too! Callum now runs Great Glen Creative, capturing the spirit of Woodlands through photography and film. Katie and her husband Brian have also launched an elopement planning and photography business, helping couples create unforgettable Highland wedding experiences from Woodlands.
Fifteen years into the Woodlands journey, the business remains family-owned, family-run and constantly evolving. Every new idea comes from a desire to create meaningful guest experiences, shaped by listening to the people who return year after year. Winning the FSB Family Business of the Year Award is recognition not just of the business itself, but the deeply committed family behind it.
