Article Source: VisitScotland
Last Updated: 25 March 2024 18:29
Image Credit: Connor Mollison Photography
People across the country have just a few more days left to nominate businesses, individuals and events they think are deserving of recognition in the world of tourism and events.
The Scottish Thistle Awards have helped shine a spotlight on individual businesses, people and partnership working. They have become an annual celebration of excellence, collaboration and innovation within one of the country’s most important sectors.
Delivered by VisitScotland in partnership with regional awards programmes, the Scottish Thistle Awards combines five regional awards and a national final.
Last year, there were around 1200 nominations and more than 600 entries, culminating in the crowning of 17 national winners at a ceremony in Glasgow in December.
Winners included:
• The Burrell Collection in Glasgow who took home the Best Visitor Attraction Award, sponsored by the Scottish Sun.
• The Cross Keys Inn in Ettrickbridge in the Scottish Borders was named as the Best Pub or Bar.
• Nithbank Country Estate in Dumfries & Galloway received the Best B&B or Guest House Experience title, sponsored by Abbey UK. Meanwhile its proprietor Melanie Allen took home the Tourism Individual of the Year award, sponsored by HIT Scotland, in recognition of the positive impact she has made on the visitor experience at a regional and national level in Scotland.
• Edinbane Lodge on the Isle of Skye, winner of the Best Eating Experience award.
• Cromlix in Dunblane, winner of the Best Hotel Experience award, sponsored by Fishers.
• Glasgow Science Centre won the Inclusive Tourism category, sponsored by Historic Environment Scotland.
• Airhouses in the Scottish Borders received the Best Luxury Experience award, sponsored by The Macallan Estate.
• The Genesis Scottish Open which took place at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick in 2022 received the award for Outstanding Sporting Event.
• Nearby festival Fringe by the Sea was crowned Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival.
• Arden Holiday Cottage in Dumfries & Galloway won the Best Self Catering Accommodation Experience
• Wilderness Scotland based in Aviemore took home two awards, the inaugural Climate Action Award, sponsored by The Times, and the Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience.
• Camera Obscura & the World of Illusions in Edinburgh won the Innovation in Tourism award.
While businesses and events must formally enter from 18 March to be eligible for a Scottish Thistle Awards, the nomination process allows members of the public to show appreciation to those they think deserve some extra recognition.
Nominations for the 2024 Scottish Thistle Awards, with headline sponsors Johnstons of Elgin, close on 31 March.
Steven Walker, Chair of the Scottish Thistle Awards Industry panel said: “The Scottish Thistle Awards are a great way to recognise those who work so passionately to make Scotland such a fantastic place to visit and stay.
“Before our entries open next week, this is your chance to nominate your tourism heroes and give them your vote of confidence to enter the 30th Scottish Thistle Awards.
“Once you’ve made your free nomination, we’ll let those lucky nominees know so they can officially enter and be in with a chance of winning a coveted Scottish Thistle Award.”
2024 sees the introduction of a new Rising Star Award. Sponsored by HIT Scotland, the award aims to recognise the achievements of individuals that are at the start if their career within the tourism and hospitality industry.
Regional winners for Central, East and the West will be announced at two regional finals delivered by VisitScotland in September.
Winners from all five regional awards, which also include the Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards (HITA) the Aberdeen City and Shire Thistle Awards (ACSTA) and the South of Scotland Thistle Awards (delivered in partnership with the South of Scotland Destination Alliance and supported by South of Scotland Enterprise) go on to compete at the Scottish Thistle Award national ceremony in November.
For more information and to make a nomination in the Scottish Thistle Awards, visit: www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk
THE highly anticipated team-up of Deadpool & Wolverine is finally arriving at screens across the UK and Ireland this weekend at Vue Cinemas.
READ MOREFor many of the artists on this year's Mercury Prize shortlist, their early careers took them onstage at King Tut's, a venue renowned for supporting grassroots talent.
READ MOREEdinburgh’s award-winning Cold Town Brewery has launched a nationwide search to appoint an honorary chief taster to help develop its new summer beer range.
READ MOREThe King's Theatre Glasgow will host the Scottish premiere of NOW That's What I Call A Musical in 2025 and are delighted to announce that Sam Bailey will star as April!
READ MOREJoin a very special session on Zoom as The Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) celebrates The Gruffalo's 25th birthday, in partnership with Macmillan Children's Books!
READ MOREButeFest, the much-loved family-friendly music festival, returns to the Isle of Bute tomorrow, running until Sunday 28th July and set to welcome thousands of music lovers of all ages.
READ MOREScotland's leading fine dining restaurant, The Gannet, is supporting Scottish fisherman by collaborating with MacNeil Shellfish to create a one off indulgent seafood lunch next month.
READ MORECharity appeals for Footpath Fund donations as countryside visitors increase by 16 percent in first half of the year.
READ MOREChildren's show The McDougalls In Toyland visits the Pavilion and venue staff talk favourite childhood toys.
READ MOREThe historic venue in Kelvingrove Park will mark the milestone with a specially recorded Squeeze concert, Doors Open Day events and the launch of a new webpage.
READ MOREMusic lovers have a lot to celebrate this summer at Vue, with three exciting titles hitting the big screen – including BLACKPINK’s latest concert film.
READ MOREA former contestant on Britain's Best Home Cook is popping up in Glasgow this weekend with her take on a traditional Filipino BBQ!
READ MOREGlasgow venue hosted creators from around the UK and national, local, and golf press on the eve of The 152nd Open Championship.
READ MOREGlaswegian actress Vivienne Carlyle will return to the iconic role of Mrs. Johnstone, having received nightly standing ovations for her powerful and poignant performance in the West End!
READ MOREDuncan Dornan is retiring as Head of Glasgow Life Museums and Collections after nine years in the role.
READ MOREApplications are open for the charity fundraising challenge supporting grassroots sports in Glasgow and the West.
READ MOREIn response to Scotlands gloomy and grey summer weather, Aldi Scotland has launched a nationwide hunt for the country’s Ultimate BBQ Ambassador.
READ MOREThe landscape photography competition will run until October with three prizes up for grabs!
READ MOREThe 2024 Merchant City Festival was enjoyed by 35,000 people as street arts, dance and musical performances brought large crowds to one of Glasgow's oldest districts.
READ MORETrust in the Park has teamed up with renowned round-the-world cyclist and filmmaker Markus Stitz to showcase Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park’s accessible routes this summer.
READ MOREGlasgow's internationally renowned piping festival Piping Live! will showcase five acts as part of the Emerging Talent strand of this year's event.
READ MOREBuchanan Galleries is giving away 200 free scoops of ice cream on Sunday 21st July to commemorate World Ice Cream Day!
READ MOREOne Devonshire Gardens by Hotel du Vin announces the return of Martin Thliveros as its new head chef, bringing with him a fresh approach to one of the city's top restaurants.
READ MOREOn 22 August, the team at Impact Arts will raise a glass to three decades of life-changing work, as Scotland's leading creative engagement charity prepares to mark its 30th anniversary.
READ MOREThis month, VEGA - Glasgow's destination bar, restaurant and bowling alley, is turning three.
READ MOREDobbies is celebrating National Allotment Week by inviting gardening enthusiasts across the country to a series of free Grow How workshops throughout the month, focusing on allotment gardening.
READ MORENeurodiversity charity Salvesen Mindroom Centre collaborates with local creative organisations to create opportunities and support the transition to life beyond school.
READ MOREThe Glasgow Clan are aiming to produce their own ice hockey stars of the future.
READ MOREActor, writer, broadcaster and 2020 I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here winner, Giovanna Fletcher is set to star as Rachel Watson in a new UK tour of The Girl on the Train!
READ MOREScottish premiere of the immersive art attraction welcomes more than 5,000 visitors over first weekend!
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"