Dumfries and Galloway tourism and hospitality businesses have shone brightly at the South of Scotland’s second annual Thistle Awards, with two-thirds of the awards being claimed by the region. The winning eight businesses will now represent the South of Scotland at the national Scottish Thistle Awards finals in November. The ceremony, held at Peebles Hydro, saw 12 category winners announced from 30 finalists, with attendees enjoying live music, fine dining, and ceilidh dancing.
This year, over 100 entries were received from across the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway for the awards, organised by the South of Scotland Destination Alliance and supported by South of Scotland Enterprise and VisitScotland. The main sponsor for the event was Gretna’s Caledonia Park Designer Outlet.
Among the winners, Dumfries-based Mostly Ghostly Tours secured the Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience award, with founder Kathleen Cronie expressing her delight and gratitude for the recognition. The historic Globe Inn in Dumfries clinched the Best Eating Experience Award, adding to its accolades in the Michelin Guide for the second consecutive year.
The Famous Blacksmiths Shop Visitor Attraction at Gretna Green was named Best Visitor Attraction, while the Queensberry House B&B in Moffat triumphed in the Best B&B or Guest House Experience category. The Thistle for Best Self-Catering or Unique Stay was awarded to The Outdoor Hotel at Auldgirth, and the Ship Inn Hotel at Gatehouse of Fleet emerged victorious in the Best Hotel Experience category.
In cultural achievements, Wigtown Festival Company won the Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival award, and the Celebrating Thriving Communities Thistle was presented to All Roads Lead to Whithorn. The introduction of a Rising Star Award recognised emerging talent in the industry, with Thania Meneses Flores of Trimontium Museum at Melrose securing the award.
David Hope-Jones, chief executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance, highlighted the exceptional tourism talent in the region, emphasizing its importance to the local economy. Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise, Russel Griggs OBE, expressed confidence that the winners would make the region proud at the national level.
The awards ceremony showcased the dedication and excellence of businesses and individuals in the region, reaffirming the South of Scotland as a remarkable tourist destination. The event also acknowledged the importance and potential of emerging talent in shaping the future of tourism and hospitality. Congratulations to all the winners for their well-deserved recognition and contributions to the thriving tourism sector in Dumfries and Galloway.