Thistle Be An Awesome Day For Dumfries and Galloway

Dumfries & Galloway can hold its head high with a massive amount of local people, businesses and events from right across the region shortlisted for 2018 regional Scottish Thistle Awards

A new gin distillery, a museum commemorating the largest munitions factory in the world and a family-run inn on the Isle of Whithorm are among the nominees representing Dumfries & Galloway, as the shortlist for the Scottish Thistle Awards regional finals are announced.

Crafty Distillery, The Devil’s Porridge Museum, and Steam Packet Inn have made it through to the West regional final of the Scottish Thistle Awards. A total of 13 businesses and individuals will represent the region at the West Regional Final at Oran Mor in Glasgow on Thursday 29 November 2018.

Crafty Distillery, Newton Stewart, has been nominated in the Geotourist – Innovation in Tourism category, with The Devil’s Porridge Museum at Eastriggs up for the Scotrail Best Visitor Attraction award and The Steam Packet Inn in the J Thomson Colour Printers Best Bar/ Pub category.

Other shortlisted finalists from Dumfries & Galloway include Electric Fields Festival in the Best Event or Festival category and Romano Petrucci, from the Stranraer Development Trust, who is shortlisted in the Johnstons of Elgin Regional Ambassador category.

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 more than 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.

Rebecca Brooks, Chair of the Scottish Thistle Awards industry panel, said: “We have once again been delighted by this year’s response to the Scottish Thistle Awards. These rewards aim to shine the spotlight on the businesses and individuals who have shown real commitment and dedication to tourism in Scotland.

“Tourism is more than a holiday experience – it is the heartbeat of the Scottish economy and touches every community, generating income, jobs and social change. The Scottish Thistle Awards is a chance for us to celebrate those who work tirelessly to create a destination and customer experience worth talking about, ensuring that all visitors, whether from Scotland or further afield, enjoy a truly memorable time in our country.

“On behalf of the panel, I would like to congratulate all shortlisted entrants and wish each and every one of them the very best of 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 Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA), 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 Leadership Director, said: “I am delighted to see such a strong representation from Dumfries & Galloway at the West Scottish Thistle Awards Regional Final. Dumfries & Galloway has an outstanding range of quality tourism businesses and an army of passionate advocates working within the industry to create a destination and customer experience worth talking about.

“Tourism is more than a holiday experience – it is the heartbeat of the Scottish economy and touches every community, generating income, jobs and social change. 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 time in our country. Good luck to all those shortlisted in the regional final.”

Regional finals will take place in different locations around Scotland covering areas such as Central Fife and Tayside, Lothian & Borders, West, the Highlands and Islands, organised by the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards, and Aberdeen City and Shire, which is organised by Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards.

• The Highlands and Islands Regional Final, organised by the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards, will take place at Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness, on Friday 2 November.
• The Central, Fife & Tayside Regional Final will take place at Prestonfield House Hotel in Edinburgh on Thursday 15 November.
• The Lothian & Borders Regional Final will take place at Prestonfield House Hotel in Edinburgh on Thursday 15 November.
• The Aberdeen City and Shire Regional Final, organised by Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards, will take place at Ardoe House Hotel and Spa, Aberdeen, on Friday 23 November.
• The West Regional Final will take place at Oran Mor, Glasgow, on Thursday 29 November.

The full 14 regional categories are:

• ScotRail – Best Visitor Attraction
• Fishers – Most Hospitable Hotel
• Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers – Best Self-Catering Accommodation Experience
• Criton – Most Hospitable B&B/Guest House
• Best Eating Experience
• J Thomson Colour Printers – Best Bar / Pub
• Johnstons of Elgin – Regional Ambassador
• Best Outdoor/Adventure Experience
• Edinburgh Airport – Working Together For Tourism
• Tourism & Hospitality Hero
• HIT Scotland – Regional Rising Star
• Best Cultural Event or Festival
• Historic Environment Scotland – Best Heritage Tourism Experience
• Geotourist – Innovation in Tourism Award

For a full list of shortlisted finalists, please visit: www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk