Daily Wildlife Noss Boat Tours
+44 (O) 7595540224
Daily Wildlife Noss Boat Tours+44 (O) 7595540224
Best in the business…Shetland wildlife tour business shortlisted for Women’s Enterprise Scotland Award
Seabirds-and-Seals: The Original Noss Boat, co-owned and run by Marie Leask and her husband Brian, is celebrating after being shortlisted in the Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards 2026.
Seabirds-and-Seals: The Original Noss Boat has been shortlisted for Purpose-Led Business of the Year, after the judging panel reviewed and assessed a vast number of entries to create a list of just 53 finalists across 10 categories.
Operating from Lerwick and offering wildlife boat tours around Bressay and Noss, the small family-run business has placed accessibility, inclusion, responsible tourism, community involvement and support for the local economy at the heart of its operations.
First established in 1992, Seabirds-and-Seals is one of Shetland’s longest-established wildlife boat-tour businesses. Today, The Original Noss Boat is owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Marie and Brian Leask, combining extensive local knowledge and maritime experience with a strong commitment to accessible, responsible and sustainable tourism.
Accessibility and inclusion are central to the business, with continued investment in removing barriers and enabling as many people as possible to experience Shetland’s wildlife and coastline from the sea. From wheelchair access and individual audio headsets to accessible visitor information and partnerships with local organisations, the business continually adapts its experience around the needs of its passengers.
Its purpose extends into the wider Shetland community through collaborations with local businesses and community organisations, charitable initiatives, environmental action and a commitment to responsible wildlife tourism. The business has also developed strong relationships with tour operators, businesses, organisations and groups across the UK and internationally, helping showcase Shetland and its remarkable natural and cultural heritage to visitors from around the world.
At the heart of the business are the many thousands of passengers who have joined The Noss Boat over the years, from local people and families across Shetland to visitors travelling from around the world. The business is particularly grateful for the continued support it receives from the local community, as well as from the many passengers who choose to experience Shetland from onboard The Noss Boat. The aim is not only to provide an exceptional visitor experience, but to ensure tourism brings wider benefits to the islands while leaving passengers with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Shetland’s wildlife, heritage, environment and community.
The latest national recognition comes shortly after the business was announced as a double finalist in this year’s Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards, shortlisted for both Best Visitor Attraction and the Inclusion Award, adding to a growing list of national and regional recognition.
Marie Leask, co-owner of Seabirds-and-Seals: The Original Noss Boat, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be named a finalist for Purpose-Led Business of the Year. This particular category means a great deal to us because our purpose has always extended far beyond simply providing a wildlife boat tour.
“As a small, locally owned family business, we want what we do to have a positive impact here in Shetland. Whether that is making our experience more accessible and inclusive, working with community groups, supporting and collaborating with other Shetland businesses, operating responsibly around our wildlife and environment, or working with the many businesses, organisations and groups we have built relationships with across the UK and around the world, these values are embedded in the way we run our business.
“We are also enormously grateful to all the wonderful passengers who have chosen to join us onboard over the years – from local people and families here in Shetland to the many thousands who have travelled from across the UK and around the world to experience The Noss Boat. Their support, together with that of our team, local community and the many people, businesses and organisations we work with, enables us to continue developing the business while making a positive contribution to Shetland.
“To have that work recognised nationally by Women’s Enterprise Scotland is something we are incredibly proud of. It feels particularly special to be returning as finalists after winning Service Excellence at the Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards in 2025, when we were incredibly proud to become the first Shetland business to win an award at the national event.”
Carolyn Currie, Chief Executive at Women’s Enterprise Scotland, said; “Our Awards recognise the considerable contribution women-led businesses make to Scotland’s economy. They also provide a valuable opportunity to showcase visible role models for women and girls who follow. Both the volume and the calibre of entries for the Awards were very high and the judging panel had a very challenging task to compile the list of finalists. We are now looking forward to a fantastic Awards evening in October, when we will shine a spotlight on the diverse range of women led businesses which are making such a vital contribution to Scotland’s economy.”
Winners of the Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards, which is being supported by Business Gateway, Titan Wealth, YourScene, The Scottish National Investment Bank and Community Enterprise, will be announced at a glittering ceremony which takes place at the voco Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow on Thursday 29 October. The keynote speaker at this year’s event is Marie Owen OBE, founder of LS Productions.
