The award, sponsored by Sotheby’s, recognises its status as a world-class heritage attraction which attracts over 174,000 visitors each year.

Annually the estate contributes an average of £900,000 through a combination of employment and purchase of local goods and services. Since 2008 alone, it has contributed £8.3m to the Skye economy and over £12m to the Scottish economy.

Hugh MacLeod, estate director, said: “I would like to thank the judges of the Historic Houses Restoration Award. I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of the fantastic MacLeod Estate team who work so hard behind the scenes to make the impossible possible.

“All the restoration works we have undertaken at Dunvegan over the last ten years have been largely accomplished in-house, with the help of a fantastic team of dedicated external contractors.”

James Birch, president of Historic Houses, added: “For more than ten years this award has brought to the fore examples of the whole range of Historic Houses member properties, from family homes lovingly updated for a new generation to whole buildings brought back into use as venues for events, backdrops for films, or places to stay. This year’s shortlist was a similar diverse spread.

“Dunvegan is both a home and a major visitor heritage attraction, drawing tourists from all over the world, to the benefit of the local and national economy. But all this year’s entrants faced the common challenge of needing to make essential repairs and improvements to safeguard their futures while at the same time operating as small and medium-sized businesses in a competitive environment, with little or no help from government.”