THE regional shortlist for Scotland’s premier tourism and events industry awards has today (Friday 21st July) 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. 

VisitScotland has today announced the shortlist for the Central and East Thistle Awards and the West of Scotland Thistle Awards, with 72 tourism businesses, events and individuals in the running to receive the prestigious award. 

Among those shortlisted include Camera Obscura & the World of Illusions in Edinburgh which is shortlisted in the Best Visitor Attraction category, sponsored by The Scottish Sun, and the Innovation in Tourism category, which celebrates those driving forward positive chance and creatively adapting to consumer behaviour, at the Central and East Thistle Awards.  

The Burrell Collection is among the businesses shortlisted in the West of Scotland Thistle Awards. It is also shortlisted in the Best Visitor Attraction category, sponsored by The Scottish Sun, alongside Mackintosh at the Willow and Heads of Ayr Farm Park.  

East Lothian Cottages in Haddington,  Glenkinchie Distillery in East Lothian and Edinburgh Science are all in the running for the Climate Action Award category, sponsored by The Times, at the Central and East Thistle Awards. Glasgow Life and the Technology & Innovation Centre are both in the running for this category at the West of Scotland Thistle Awards. This category celebrates businesses, events and destinations that have demonstrable progress on their journey to Net Zero.   

Glasgow Science Centre and Biosphere Bikes, Girvan, South Ayrshire have been shortlisted in the Inclusive Tourism category sponsored by Historic Environment Scotland in the West of Scotland Thistle Awards. This category celebrates a business that has a developed an outstanding welcome for all customers and provides accessible facilities which can enjoyed by all customers.  

Fairmont St Andrews is among the businesses shortlisted for the Best Hotel Experience award, sponsored by Fishers, at the Central and East Thistle Awards, alongside Cromlix in Dunblane and Murrayshall Country Estate in Scone.  

Auchrannie Resort on the Isle of Arran is shortlisted in the Best Hotel Experience category, sponsored by Fishers, alongside Trump Turnberry at the West of Scotland Thistle Awards.  

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.”  

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.  

VisitScotland delivers the Central and East Thistle Awards and 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.