15 Dumfries & Galloway Entries Shortlisted for Scottish Thistle Awards

The Devil’s Porridge Museum, Basecamp Café at Laggan Outdoors, Solway Tours, and the Big Burns Supper Festival are among those shortlisted for a top tourism award, as the Scottish Thistles Awards celebrates its 25^th anniversary.

A total of 15 businesses, individuals and events in the region have made it through to the regional finals. Winners will be announced at the West Regional Final at Glasgow Science Centre on Thursday 26 October 2017.

This year marks the ‘silver’ anniversary for the prestigious competition, which celebrates success, innovation, excellence and best practice in the country’s tourism and hospitality industry. Over the past 25 years, the Scottish Thistle Award has crowned over 350 national winners.

The awards recognise hotels, restaurants, B&Bs, visitor attractions and individuals who go the extra mile to provide customers with exceptional service.

2017 saw a record breaking 734 entries submitted, including hundreds of 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.

Rebecca Brooks, Chair of the Scottish Thistle Awards Industry Panel, said: “It’s fantastic that in this special anniversary year, we’ve had such an overwhelming response to this year’s competition. These awards aim to find the crème de la crème of Scotland’s tourism industry, to recognise the shining lights who have shown real commitment and dedication to the industry.

“From the sheer volume and calibre of entries, it is clear that this year’s competition will be the fiercest yet and on behalf of the panel I’d like to congratulate all the shortlisted entrants and wish each and every one of them the very best of the luck at the regional finals.”

The Scottish Thistle Awards is led by a panel of industry experts from several organisations including VisitScotland, Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards, Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards, the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland, Scotland Food and Drink, Scottish Tourism Alliance, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, sportscotland and Wild Scotland.

Paula Ward, VisitScotland Regional Director, said: “I’m delighted to see that so many businesses and individuals from Dumfries & Galloway have been shortlisted for a regional Scottish Thistle Award.

Every year, we see the tourism industry in Dumfries and Galloway continue to punch above its weight. The fact that, this year, we have a remarkable 15 finalists is testament to the impressive range and depth of outstanding tourism businesses we have in the region.

 “Tourism is more than a holiday experience, it creates jobs and sustains communities. The Scottish Thistle Awards is a chance for us to celebrate those who work tirelessly to ensure that all visitors, whether from Scotland or further afield, enjoy a truly memorable experience.

“I wish all those shortlisted the best of luck in the regional final.”

Four regional ceremonies will be held in: Central, Fife & Tayside and Lothians & Borders; West; Highlands and Islands, which will be organised by the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards; and Aberdeen City and Shire, which will be organised by Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards.

Regional finalists will battle it out across 16 different categories including Fishers – Most Hospitable Hotel, Best Pub/Bar, Best Visitor Attraction and Tourism Hospitality Hero.  In celebration of the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017, the new award will honour those who excel in bringing to life Scotland’s rich history, heritage and traditions.

The full 16 regional categories are:

• Fishers – Most Hospitable Hotel
• Most Hospitable B&B/Guest House
• Best Accommodation Provider
• Historic Environment Scotland – Best Heritage Tourism Experience
• Innovation in Tourism
• Best Informal Eating Experience
• Best Restaurant Experience
• Best Pub/Bar
• Regional Ambassador
• Caledonian MacBrayne – Best Cultural Event or Festival
• Best Sporting Event
• Best Outdoor/Adventure Experience
• HIT Scotland Regional Rising Star
• Working Together for Tourism
• ScotRail – Best Visitor Attraction
• Tourism & Hospitality Hero

For further information about the Scottish Thistle Awards visit: www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk

Full Shortlist for the West Regional Final