CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Deadline looms for 30th Scottish Thistle Awards public nominations

The search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.

Deadline looms for 30th Scottish Thistle Awards public nominations

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

Sponsored Links

Three Rivers Festival
Open Pass Scotland
Link

Latest Stirling News

Foodies Festival, the biggest touring celebrity food & music festival in the UK, returns to Scotland next month

Foodies Festival, the biggest touring celebrity food & music festival in the UK, returns to Scotland next month

The UK's biggest touring celebrity food & music festival celebrates its 20th year - announcing star-studded line-ups and exciting new features in Edinburgh and Glasgow!

READ MORE
Assembly Festival relaunches Local Residents Ticket Offer

Assembly Festival relaunches Local Residents Ticket Offer

Fringe Tickets for Just £6.50: Assembly Festival re-launches Local Residents Ticket Offer for EH, FK, G, KY, ML & DG postcodes.

READ MORE
Grow Your Own flowers, fruits, and veg at Dobbies Garden Centres

Grow Your Own flowers, fruits, and veg at Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Grow Your Own workshop this August, where attendees will learn top tips for growing fruit, vegetables and flowers at home.

READ MORE
Jazz legend sets the tone as the vibrant music scene in Stirling continues to thrive

Jazz legend sets the tone as the vibrant music scene in Stirling continues to thrive

Stirling's vibrant cultural and music scene is continuing to thrive with the launch of a new piano lounge in the historic Golden Lion Hotel.

READ MORE
Consultation goes live on draft Visitor Levy scheme for Stirling

Consultation goes live on draft Visitor Levy scheme for Stirling

Stirling Council is asking for feedback on a draft Visitor Levy scheme for the area as a public consultation goes live today.

READ MORE
Gnoss release stirring new single Emily ahead of international festival run

Gnoss release stirring new single Emily ahead of international festival run

Acclaimed Scottish folk four-piece Gnoss are back with a brand-new single ‘Emily’ set for release on Friday 25th July!

READ MORE
Stirling Photography Festival launches its 2025 theme... Beyond

Stirling Photography Festival launches its 2025 theme... Beyond

Stirling's annual Photography Festival will return for an eighth year with the theme of 'Beyond' and featuring major exhibitions from three award-winning photographers.

READ MORE
Dinosaur Day at Dobbies

Dinosaur Day at Dobbies

Children attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!

READ MORE
Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

PubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.

READ MORE
Electric Boat Launch Event at the Falkirk Wheel

Electric Boat Launch Event at the Falkirk Wheel

The much-loved Antonine passenger vessel, a trip boat serving one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions has received an electrifying makeover.

READ MORE
Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.

READ MORE
Scone Palace International Horse Trials

Scone Palace International Horse Trials

The inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.

READ MORE
Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.

READ MORE
BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.

READ MORE
Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland

Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland

Family favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.

READ MORE
SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.

READ MORE
Innis & Gunn Joins Forces with Stirling Highland Games in a 3 Year Cultural Celebration

Innis & Gunn Joins Forces with Stirling Highland Games in a 3 Year Cultural Celebration

The Stirling Highland Games has proudly announced a new three-year partnership with one of Scotland’s most iconic brewing brands, Innis & Gunn.

READ MORE
Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.

READ MORE
FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

Summerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!

READ MORE
Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show

Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show

The biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!

READ MORE
July events at Dobbies Garden Centres

July events at Dobbies Garden Centres

Check out July at Dobbies with it's Little Seedlings Club on rainforests and Grow How on pest control and healthy gardens!

READ MORE
Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition

Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition

Historic Environment Scotland is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to boost their wellbeing as a part of a national campaign, Historic Places, Breathing Spaces.

READ MORE
Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 adds two new categories and voting deadline extended!

Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 adds two new categories and voting deadline extended!

Scotland's hospitality industry and customers have spoken, and the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 has listened!

READ MORE
25th year of Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway

25th year of Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway

Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway today, kick-starting nine days of dance performances, film screenings, visual art and photography exhibitions and community events across the country.

READ MORE
Exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland

Exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland

Tickets are on sale for an exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland, with fans in for an extra special treat to take home.

READ MORE
Acclaimed debut Only Here, Only Now from Tom Newlands chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month in Scotland

Acclaimed debut Only Here, Only Now from Tom Newlands chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month in Scotland

The paperback edition of Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands has just been released - and is already making waves.

READ MORE
Feedback sought on new Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling project

Feedback sought on new Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling project

To mark Bike Week UK, people across Stirling are being encouraged to take part in a new survey that will help shape active travel in the area and support the shift to sustainable modes of transport.

READ MORE
Stirling BID team brighten up City Centre with Blooming Planters

Stirling BID team brighten up City Centre with Blooming Planters

Pollinator-friendly plants, funded and organised by Go Forth Stirling BID have added a welcome splash of colour across Stirling city centre.

READ MORE
Funding Boost for Charities at Scottish Building Society AGM

Funding Boost for Charities at Scottish Building Society AGM

Scottish Building Society marked its Annual General Meeting (AGM) by announcing funding to support eight local charities and good causes across the country.

READ MORE
Classic car enthusiasts set to visit Loch Lomond Shores

Classic car enthusiasts set to visit Loch Lomond Shores

Visitors are invited to come along and get up-close to some amazing cars, set against the beautiful backdrop of Loch Lomond, as part of a great day out.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Great Run Company
Renfrewshire Council
Hostelworld
ATG

Sponsored Links

Three Rivers Festival
Open Pass Scotland
Link
Great Run Company
Renfrewshire Council
Hostelworld
ATG

Popular Events

WALL.E - Family-Friendly Film Screening
Bring the family along for this screening of WALL.E at Creative Stirling on 6th August.
School Holiday Adventure Days with Roll Outdoors
Drop the screens, grab the paddle, let the adventure begin on a School Holiday Adventure Day at Roll Outdoors in Callendar!
Into the Black: A Tribute to Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Into The Black have built a reputation for their authentic and heartfelt performances and you can catch them at the Tolbooth Stirling on Saturday 18th October!
Earring Making Workshop
Create a beautiful pair of earrings inspired by Mary, Queen of Scots at The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum with Sam Reid (Braw Bumble) on 2nd August!
Pointed Pen Calligraphy Workshop
Learn how to create beautiful calligraphy in this 2 hour workshop at The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum with Calligrapher Ceri Smart on Saturday, 16th August!

Popular Listings

Macrobert Arts Centre Stirling Castle The Albert Halls Stirling The National Wallace Monument Tolbooth Stirling