Mostly Ghostly, Dumfries and Galloway-based storytellers, tour creators and guides, and paranormal researchers, have concluded a remarkable year with a trio of prestigious awards.
The team, who launched in 2008 with an investigation of Scotland’s oldest working theatre – the Theatre Royal in Dumfries – have gone on to develop a diverse and unique portfolio of tours and events that celebrate the region’s rich history and haunting tales, inspiring audiences to discover its more curious aspects..
The team’s dedication to providing unique and immersive experiences has been recognised with the following accolades:
- South of Scotland Thistle Awards – Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience: This award celebrates Mostly Ghostly’s commitment to delivering exceptional tours and events that enrich the visitor experience in Dumfries and Galloway. The Thistle Awards celebrate innovation, collaboration, and sustainable practices with responsible tourism at its heart. The judges described the Mostly Ghostly team as a: ‘‘shining example of excelling in all aspects of development’.
- Top 100 Women in Tourism – Kathleen Cronie: Kathleen Cronie, founder of Mostly Ghostly and Resident Storyteller and Tour Guide at the historic Globe Inn has been honoured for the third time, as one of the top 100 Women in Tourism, recognising her significant contributions to the industry. She was also named in 2018, the inaugural year of the Top 100 list, and again in 2020, during the height of the Pandemic, when she strived to connect audiences online to experience the joy of storytelling with Mostly Ghostly and celebrated the first digital Festival of Folklore. The list represents women working across Scotland and in nearly every area of the tourism industry, all united by their passion for Scottish tourism.
- Dumfries and Galloway Life Awards – Kathleen Cronie: Performing Artist of the Year: Kathleen’s exceptional storytelling skills and engaging performances have earned her the title of Performing Artist of the Year. The judges said “Kathleen is a real talent with a natural talent for entertaining audiences, a passionate and driven performing artist who continually strives for excellence and is dedicated to introducing new audiences to the tales, myths, and legends of Dumfries & Galloway as a writer, performer and storyteller.”
Kathleen Cronie, Team Founder enthused:
“It’s been a remarkable year for us, and we feel both delighted and honoured to receive these awards. It’s a testament to the hard work and passion of the Mostly Ghostly team, who are committed to providing unique and unforgettable experiences These awards, coupled with the amazing people who support us, as guests, collaborators, friends and family, and of course, the region of Dumfries and Galloway, which is a constant source of inspiration, encourages us to keep evolving, bringing storytelling to new audiences and developing different events for our supporters to enjoy.”
Regarding the Top 100 Women in Tourism, Kathleen expressed:
“It’s such an honour to be included alongside so many hard-working and inspirational women, for whom I have the utmost respect. Warmest thanks to the Women in Tourism team for all the work they do to raise the profile of women in the tourism industry, and congratulations to all the fabulous ladies, with a special shout out to those in Dumfries and Galloway, who have been recognised this year!”
The team were also invited to the Royal Garden Party at Holyrood Palace, which took place in July, in recognition of their contribution to tourism in Dumfries and Galloway.
Team Member John Hill added:
“I’ve been completely bowled over this year by everything that’s happened, it’s a bit like a dream. I feel so proud of what we’ve achieved and we’ve been on a real high. We love welcoming guests to our events, and it’s a pleasure working with lots of different partners throughout the region to get the word out and encourage people to experience its history and legends through the power of storytelling.”
Kathleen concluded:
“These awards not only celebrate individuals, businesses and organisations, but help to raise the profile of the region and its people as a whole, which is truly fantastic! We would like to thank everyone who continues to support the team with such warmth and enthusiasm – we consider ourselves very lucky – and look forward to bringing you lots of exciting experiences in 2025!”
