15 Dumfries & Galloway Tourism Businesses Shortlisted for Scottish Thistle Awards

A MUSEUM of lead mining in Scotland’s highest village and a spooky tour guide company in south west Scotland are among the bumper crop of businesses representing Dumfries & Galloway, as the shortlist for this year’s Scottish Thistle Awards regional finals are unveiled.

Wanlockhead Museum Trust and Galloway Cycling Holidays have made it through to the West regional final of the Scottish Thistle Awards. A total of 15 businesses and individuals will represent the region at the West Regional Final at Oran Mor in Glasgow on Thursday 28 November 2019.

Wanlockhead Museum Trust has been shortlisted in the Best Heritage Tourism Experience category, sponsored by Historic Environment Scotland; with Galloway Cycling Holidays, based at Castle Douglas, shortlisted in the Best Outdoor/ Adventure category, alongside outdoor adventure centre Galloway Activity Centre on the banks of Loch Ken.

Other regional finalists from Dumfries & Galloway include YouthBeatz in the Best Cultural Event or Festival category and VisitSouthWestScotland in the Working Together for Tourism category.

The Scottish Thistle Awards, now in their 27^th year, help shine the spotlight on individuals and businesses going above and beyond to create a destination and visitor experience worth talking about amongst our valuable tourism industry. They champion the very best of the Scottish tourism industry, celebrating innovation, success and excellence in the sector.

2019 saw almost 600 entries submitted, including more than 1,000 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 from their own industry peers.

Rebecca Brooks, Chair of the Scottish Thistle Awards industry panel, said: “Once again, the Scottish Thistle Awards, have attracted entries from right across the country, with the regional winners earning their place at the prestigious National Final in March, where they will join the country’s tourism elite to be honoured with the highest accolade in the Scottish hospitality and tourism sector.

“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 to celebrate those people and businesses responsible for offering the warmest of welcomes that our country is famous for.

“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 are led by Scotland’s national tourism organisation, VisitScotland, and supported by a panel of industry representatives including the 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. These entries show the strength and depth of the tourism industry in the region, from high quality accommodation and food and drink to examples of collaboration and innovation. Those individuals and businesses should feel very proud to reach the regional finals and I wish them the very best of luck.”

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 the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness, on Friday 1 November.
• The Central, Fife & Tayside Regional Final will take place at Prestonfield House Hotel in Edinburgh on Thursday 14 November.
• The Lothian & Borders Regional Final will take place at Prestonfield House Hotel in Edinburgh on Thursday 14 November.
• The Aberdeen City and Shire Regional Final, organised by Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards, will take place at the Chester Hotel, Aberdeen, on Friday 22 November.
• The West Regional Final will take place at Oran Mor, Glasgow, on Thursday 28 November.

The full 15 regional categories are:

• ScotRail – Best Visitor Attraction
• Fishers – Best Hotel Experience
• Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers – Best Self-Catering Accommodation Experience
• Abbey UK- Most Hospitable B&B/Guest House
• Best Informal Eating Experience
• Best Restaurant Experience
• Best Bar / Pub
• Johnstons of Elgin – Regional Ambassador
• Best Outdoor/Adventure Experience
• 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

Full shortlist for the West Scottish Thistle Awards Regional Finalist nominees