West of Scotland Thistle Winners Announced

The best of the west were recognised as part of Scotland’s premier tourism and events awards last night.

From film festivals to family-run farms, climate champions to community charities, a total of 13 awards were given out as part of the West of Scotland Thistle Awards, held at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow.

Presented by broadcaster Zara Janjua, and featuring entertainment from Laura Harrington, the West of Scotland Thistle Awards, with headline sponsor Johnstons of Elgin, celebrates the very best of the tourism and events industry.  They have become an annual celebration of excellence, collaboration and innovation within one of the country’s most important sectors.

2024 saw more than 700 entries submitted by individuals, businesses, events and community organisations in a bid to be recognised for the role they play in making Scotland a must-visit, must-return destination.

The West of Scotland Thistle Awards’ winners include a double victory for Glasgow Science Centre who were named Best Visitor Attraction and winner of the Climate Action Award.

In the accommodation awards, Glenapp Castle at Ballantrae took home the Best Hotel Experience award, sponsored by Fishers. Meanwhile, the Boathouse at Littlemill on the Isle of Arran took home the prize for Best Self-Catering or Unique Stay.

Completing the awards for accommodation, the Best B&B or Guest House Experience award was presented to Dumfries House Lodges (The Kings Foundation).

Other winners include RED Sky Bar, which was named Best Bar or Pub, sponsored by Scottish Licensed Trade Association. the Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival award was presented to Glasgow Film Festival; Friends of Dundonald SCIO was named winner of the Celebrating Thriving Communities award, sponsored by the Scottish Sun, while Little’s Chauffeur Drive took home the Innovation in Tourism award, sponsored by The Times Scotland.

Blackstone Clydesdales in Cumnock received the Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience award. SEA LIFE Loch Lomond was named Tourism & Hospitality Employer of the Year for the second year running.

There was individual recognition for Hannah Cochrane, Sales and Business Development Manager, Scottish Event Campus (SEC) who won the inaugural Rising Star Award, sponsored by HIT Scotland, while Tourism Individual of the Year was presented to Fiona Campbell, Chief Executive, Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers

The Scottish Thistle Awards champion innovation, collaboration and sustainable practices, in line with the ambitions of the national tourism strategy, Outlook 2030.     

Responsible tourism is at the heart of the Scottish Thistle Awards, supporting the aim for Scotland to be recognised globally as a leader in this field. Entrants to all categories must evidence how they have embraced best practice covering the four key areas of a low carbon economy, inclusivity, thriving communities and Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage.  

 In addition to the West of Scotland Thistle Awards, VisitScotland delivers the Central and East Thistle Awards. The regional awards programme also includes the Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards (HITA), the Aberdeen City and Shire Thistle Awards (ACSTA) and the South of Scotland Thistle Awards. This year’s national sponsors of the Scottish Thistle Awards include headline sponsor, Johnstons of Elgin, as well as Abbey UK, The Macallan Estate, STV, Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises, Historic Scotland and Fishers. The Scottish Thistle Awards also includes a media partnership with News Scotland including The Times Scotland and the Scottish Sun.

Steven Walker, Chair of the Scottish Thistle Awards industry panel said: “Congratulations to all of the winners at the West of Scotland Thistle Awards. It is fantastic to see such recognition for our diverse and vibrant tourism offering, as well as the passionate and dedicated individuals who work within it. “The Scottish Thistle Awards mark an important celebration of the very best of our tourism and events industry and support the ambition for Scotland to be recognised globally as a leader in this field.
“I wish the regional winners the best of luck as they continue through to the Scottish Thistle Awards National Final in November.”