HIT Scotland Scholarships

HIT Scotland empowers development through its scholarship programme which is open to anyone working in or studying towards a career in the Scottish hospitality industry.

A HIT Scotland scholarship is a learning experience, designed to give you new skills or knowledge, to experience best practice, or refresh your way of thinking.  The content of each scholarship varies depending on your personal development objectives, and the scholarship you have applied for.

We will also ask you in return for the scholarship, to show support back through HIT Scotland, to allow us to continue to provide scholarships.  Scholars and their companies can opt to do this in a variety of ways, things like attending HIT events, or providing prizes for auctions and raffles.  The choice is yours!

Our scholarships are split into three different categories - Business empowerment, Operational empowerment and Inspirational empowerment. Look at the categories below and click MORE to read about the different scholarships within that category, and learn what you need to put in your application.

Remember to read our application guidance document before you apply for a HIT Scotland scholarship

You can only apply for one scholarship

Scholarship applications for 2025

CLOSED

Thanks to

The Lisa Wishart Scholarship

2024 saw the beginning of a new scholarship opportunity in memory of Lisa Wishart, the MD of the Lisini Pub Company who sadly passed away in 2023. Lisa was an inspirational leader who ran a thriving hospitality company, and was a great ambassador for the trade. Lisa believed that their staff contributed greatly to the company’s success, she understood the value of finding the right team to work for you, and treating them as a family, so it is fitting to provide this development opportunity in her name.

Licensed trade employees should apply for a scholarship as normal, and HIT Scotland will select an applicant who they believe shows the same passion for the industry as Lisa did, to be named our Lisa Wishart Scholar.

Thanks go to Susan Young at the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards for naming HIT Scotland as their charity partner, with the donations on the night funding this new scholarship.

Hickory Excellence Scholars

Thank you to Hickory for their support of our scholarship programme.  Event catering and bar hospitality specialists, Hickory’s mission is to deliver the very best hospitality experiences through amazing food and drink, and by supporting our scholarships, they are helping others to be the best too!

Susan Ireland, Hickory CEO said: “At Hickory we go the extra mile to deliver on our commitment to quality work, and we’re always striving for continual improvements across our processes and products, for our planet and for our people and communities. We understand the importance of investing in our employees; high quality training provides the best experience for our clients, and enhanced career opportunities for the people who work with us. A number of Hickory employees have benefitted from HIT Scotland scholarships over the years, and we wanted to give back to our amazing industry by supporting the HIT scholarship programme and allowing 5 scholars the chance to take a step forward on their own journey to excellence.”

Find out more about Hickory at their website here

Find out how to apply for a scholarship here.  You can find out - who can apply, how to choose a scholarship, how to apply and what information we need from you.  We will tell you the important dates you need to know, and explain any terms and conditions.

Read this before you apply!