THE regional shortlist for Scotland’s premier tourism and events industry awards has been announced.
The Scottish Thistle Awards, with headline sponsor Johnstons of Elgin, celebrate the very best of the tourism and events industry, which is worth £11.5 billion to the Scottish economy.
42 tourism businesses, events and individuals are in the running to receive the prestigious award, as the shortlist for the regional finals is revealed.
Camera Obscura & the World of Illusions is among the businesses shortlisted in the Central and East Scotland Thistle Awards. It is shortlisted in the Best Visitor Attraction category, sponsored by The Scottish Sun, alongside Edinburgh Zoo.
The attraction is also in the running for the Inclusive Tourism category sponsored by Historic Environment Scotland, celebrating a business that has a developed an outstanding welcome for all customers and provides accessible facilities which can enjoyed by all customers.
Camera Obscura & the World of Illusions is also shortlisted in the Innovation in Tourism category, which celebrates those driving forward positive chance and creatively adapting to consumer behaviour, alongside Glenkinchie Distillery in East Lothian.
East Lothian Cottages in Haddington and Edinburgh Science are both in the running for the Climate Action Award category, sponsored by the Times, which celebrates businesses, events and destinations that have demonstrable progress on their journey to Net Zero.
And Foxlake Adventures in Dunbar, A Wee Pedal in Edinburgh and Ocean Vertical in Dunbar are shortlisted in the Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience category.
The Original Rossyln Inn in Midlothian is shortlisted in the Best Bar or Pub category, alongside Cocktail Mafia in Edinburgh. Drift in North Berwick is shortlisted in the Best Eating Experience category and Whitekirk Hill, also in North Berwick, in the Best Self Catering Experience category.
Fraser MacDonald from Preston Mill, National Trust for Scotland, East Linton, Katie Scott, Real Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh and Andy Cuthbertson, New Lanark Trust, Lanark are shortlisted in the Tourism Individual of the Year category.
The Scottish Thistle Awards are delivered by VisitScotland in partnership with regional awards programmes.
The five different regional award ceremonies will take place in September, October and November before the regional winners go through to battle it out for a national accolade at the National Final in December.
The awards champion innovation, collaboration and sustainable practices, in line with the ambitions of the national tourism strategy, Outlook 2030.
Responsible tourism is at the heart of the Scottish Thistle Awards, supporting the aim for Scotland to be recognised globally as a leader in this field.
Every entry was required to provide clear evidence on how their business addresses responsible tourism, with new categories such as the Celebrating Thriving Communities Award, Inclusive Tourism Award and Climate Action Award introduced this year.
There are 14 regional categories and 3 national-only categories.
2023 saw more than 600 entries submitted, including almost 1200 nominations from members of the public keen to give hotels, restaurants, B&Bs, visitor attractions and individuals the opportunity to earn the recognition they deserve in the part they play in making Scotland such a fantastic place to visit.
Steven Walker, Chair of the Scottish Thistle Awards industry panel, said: “The Scottish Thistle Awards mark an important celebration of the best in our industry.
“They showcase the vest best of Scotland’s tourism and events sector, helping to ensure that tourism, and the individuals who work in the industry, are recognised for the positive impact they bring to the country and our communities.
“Every one of the shortlisted regional finalists is supporting our ambition to make Scotland a better place for people to live and visit. On behalf of the panel, I would like to congratulate all regional finalists and wish each and every one of them the very best of luck at the regional finals and beyond.”
VisitScotland Regional Director Neil Christison said: “It is fantastic to see such a strong representation from Edinburgh and the Lothians in the regional finals of the Scottish Thistle Awards.
“These entries show the strength and depth of the tourism offer in the city and surrounding area, from quality visitor attractions and experiences to examples of collaboration and innovation, and much more! I wish all those shortlisted the very best of luck at the West of Scotland Thistle Awards.”
For almost 30 years, the Scottish Thistle Awards have helped shine a spotlight on individual businesses, people and partnerships working.
After a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they returned with a bang last year, culminating in the crowning of 17 winners at the National Final in February 2023.
This year, they also include a media partnership with News Scotland.
In addition to the Central and East Thistle Awards, VisitScotland delivers the West of Scotland Thistle Awards. The regional awards programme also includes the Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards (HITA), the Aberdeen City and Shire Thistle Awards (ACSTA) and, for the first time this year, the South of Scotland Thistle Awards. This year’s sponsors of the Scottish Thistle Awards include headline sponsor, Johnstons of Elgin, and Fishers, The Macallan Estate, STV and Abbey UK.
Regional finals will take place in different locations around Scotland.
- The Central & East Thistle Awards will take place at the Sheraton Grand in Edinburgh on 21 September 2023.
- The Aberdeen City and Shire Regional Final, organised by Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards, will take place at the Chester Hotel, Aberdeen, on 22 September.
- The West of Scotland Thistle Awards will take place at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow on 28 September 2023.
- The South of Scotland Thistle Awards, organised by the South of Scotland Destination Alliance and supported by South of Scotland Enterprise, will take place at The Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries on 5 October 2023.
- The Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards, organised by the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards, will take place at the The Drumossie Hotel in Inverness on 10 November 2023.
The full 14 regional categories are:
- Best B&B or Guest House Experience, sponsored by Abbey UK
- Best Bar or Pub
- Best Eating Experience
- Best Hotel Experience, sponsored by Fishers
- Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience
- Best Self-Catering Accommodation Experience
- Best Visitor Attraction, sponsored by The Scottish Sun
- Celebrating Thriving Communities Award
- Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival
- Inclusive Tourism Award sponsored by Historic Environment Scotland
- Climate Action Award, sponsored by The Times Scotland
- Innovation in Tourism
- Tourism & Hospitality Employer of the Year
- Tourism Individual of the Year
The three national only categories are Outstanding Sporting Event, Best Business Event and Best Luxury Experience.