Tourism talent in the west of Scotland has been recognised in the country’s most prestigious tourism awards. 

A total of 13 tourism businesses struck gold at the Scottish Thistle Awards regional finals for the West, which took place last night (Thursday 29 November) at Oran Mor in Glasgow.

The Scottish Thistle Awards are Scotland’s premier awards for the tourism industry. They celebrate success, innovation, excellence and best practice in Scotland’s tourism and hospitality industry.

They also offer the opportunity to recognise those people who have made valuable contributions to the sector across the country.

2018 saw more than 640 entries submitted, including well over a thousand nominations from members of the public keen to recognise hotels, restaurants, B&Bs, visitor attractions and individuals who go the extra mile to provide customers with exceptional service.

Winners included: Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum won the Scotrail Best Visitor Attraction, Trump Turnberry, A luxury Collection Resort was named The Fishers – Most Hospitable Hotel. Celtic Connections Festival won the Best Cultural Event or Festival, sponsored by Kinrara Distillery, with Sweeney’s Cruise Co being named the Best Outdoor/ Adventure Experience and the Carraig Mhor on the Isle of Arran was named Criton – Most Hospitable B&B/ Guest House. Knockderry House received the Caledonian MacBrayne Best Eating Experience award and East Cambusmoon Holiday Cottage was named Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers – Best Self Catering Accommodation Experience.  Eastriggs and Gretna Heritage, The Devil’s Porridge Museum in Dumfries & Galloway received the Historic Environment Scotland – Best Heritage Tourism Experience award, and Wigtown Festival Company received the Geotourist – Innovation in Tourism award.

The Clachan Inn in Edinburgh was named as the region’s Best Bar/Pub, sponsored by J Thomson Colour Printers.

Sail Scotland was presented with the Edinburgh Airport Working Together for Tourism Award for their #LegendarySailing campaign.

Jules Matteoni, Operations Director at Prestwick Airport was named the region’s Tourism & Hospitality Hero. The Johnstons of Elgin Regional Ambassador award went to Romano Petrucci, of Stranraer Development Trust.

The winners of the regional finals will now go on to fly the flag for the west, at the glittering national final of the Scottish Thistle Awards at the EICC in Edinburgh next March.

Rebecca Brooks, chair of the Scottish Thistle Awards Industry Panel and VisitScotland Board member, said: “On behalf of the panel, I’d like to congratulate all our regional winners. They are a credit to themselves, their local area and the entire Scottish tourism sector.

“Tourism is more than a holiday experience, it creates jobs and sustains communities. These awards let us recognise the unsung heroes of our industry who show real dedication and enthusiasm for Scotland’s tourism industry.

“I would like to wish all our regional winners the very best for the next stage of the competition.”

A total of five regional ceremonies will unveil which regional winners will compete in the national finals. Regional ceremonies have already taken place for the Highlands & Islands, which was organised by the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards. The Aberdeen City and Shire Regional Final, organised by Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards, and the Scottish Thistle Award Regional Final for the Lothians and Borders and Central, Fife & Tayside.