From family-run farms to city centre pubs, exhilarating events and climate champions, a total of 15 awards were given out as part of the Central & East Scotland Thistle Awards, held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Edinburgh. 

Presented by broadcaster Arlene Stuart, and featuring entertainment from Laura Harrington, the Central & East Scotland Thistle Awards, with headline sponsor Johnstons of Elgin, celebrates the very best of the tourism and events industry.  The awards have become an annual celebration of excellence, collaboration and innovation within one of the country’s most important sectors.   

2024 saw more than 700 entries submitted by individuals, businesses, events and community organisations in a bid to be recognised for the role they play in making Scotland a must-visit, must-return destination.    

The Central & East Scotland Thistle Awards’ winners include a double victory for Camera Obscura & World of Illusions. The Edinburgh-based attraction was named Tourism & Hospitality Employer of the Year and winner of the Climate Action Award.  

In the accommodation awards, Dundee’s Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa took home the Best Hotel Experience award, sponsored by Fishers. Meanwhile, the Bus Stop in East Lothian took home the prize for Best Self-Catering or Unique Stay.   

Completing the awards for accommodation, the Best B&B or Guest House Experience award, sponsored by Abbey UK was presented to Derrybeg Bed & Breakfast based in Pitlochry.   

Other winners include The Barrelman in Dundee, which was named Best Bar or Pub, sponsored by Scottish Licensed Trade Association. The Scotch Whisky Experience took the title for Best Visitor Attraction while the Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival award was presented to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay for its 30th anniversary celebrations. The Enchanted Forest Community Trust was named winner of the Celebrating Thriving Communities award, sponsored by the Scottish Sun, while The Hickory Golf Workshop in Largoward took home the Innovation in Tourism award, sponsored by The Times Scotland.   

Newton Farm Holidays & Tours in Forfar received the Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience award. Pitlochry-based Ballintaggart won Best Eating Experience and Homelands Trust- Fife was named as the winner of the Inclusive Tourism award.  

There was individual recognition for Annika Schneider of the Scotch Whisky Experience, who won the inaugural Rising Star Award, sponsored by HIT Scotland, while Tourism Individual of the Year was presented to Amanda Wrathall of EICC.  

The Scottish Thistle Awards champion innovation, collaboration and sustainable practices, in line with the ambitions of the national tourism strategy, Scotland 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. Entrants to all categories must evidence how they have embraced best practice covering the four key areas of a low carbon economy, inclusivity, thriving communities and Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage.     

In addition to the Central & East Scotland 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 the South of Scotland Thistle Awards. This year’s national sponsors of the Scottish Thistle Awards include headline sponsor, Johnstons of Elgin, as well as Abbey UK, LNER, The Macallan Estate, STV, Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises, Historic Scotland and Fishers. The Scottish Thistle Awards also includes a media partnership with News Scotland including The Times Scotland and the Scottish Sun.  

Steven Walker, Chair of the Scottish Thistle Awards industry panel said: “Congratulations to all the winners at the Central & East Scotland Thistle Awards. It is fantastic to see such recognition for our diverse and vibrant tourism offering, as well as the passionate and dedicated individuals who work within it.  

 “The Scottish Thistle Awards mark an important celebration of the very best of our tourism and events industry and support the ambition for Scotland to be recognised globally as a leader in this field.    

“I wish the regional winners the best of luck as they continue through to the Scottish Thistle Awards National Final in November.”