Responsible tourism remains at the heart of the Scottish Thistle Awards. This supports Scotland's goal to be a global leader in this field. Each entry must provide evidence of responsible and sustainable practices and ambitions. This is in-keeping with the ambitions of the national tourism strategy, Outlook 2030.
Nominations for our 2024 programme are now closed.
Check back here early next year to find out when nominations will open for our 2025 programme.
Entries for 2024 are now closed.
Check back here early next year to find out when entries will open for our 2025 programme.
Our panel of independent industry experts judged all entries during May and June.
Find out which businesses were shorlisted for regional awards in 2024.
Find out which businesses were shortlisted for the three national-only categories in 2024.
Scotland's full of excellent businesses, so we work with regional partners to deliver each award night.
Every autumn, five regional events take place:
Winners from each regional award ceremony progress to our national final which this year was held in Glasgow on the 21 November 2024. At the national final, the overall winner is announced for each category as well as our Silver Thistle Award.
A new advert featuring some of our previous winners from Scotland’s premier tourism and events awards aired on STV in August 2024.
Hear from 2023 national winners Fringe by the Sea in North Berwick, Arden Holiday Cottages in Dumfries and Wilderness Scotland in Aviemore what winning a Scottish Thistle Award means to them.
Accommodation
This includes B&Bs, hotels, guesthouses, inns, restaurants with rooms, farmhouses and more.
Food and drink
Pubs, restaurants, eateries and food providers.
Outdoor
Those delivering engaging experiences with our landscapes and local communities.
Visitor attractions
This includes all of Scotland's attractions that warmly welcome visitors.
Communities
Those working in partnership and collaborations within Scotland's communities.
Events
These include cultural events and festivals, business events and more.
There are 15 regional and three national categories in this year’s programme. Each celebrates the best in tourism and those providing outstanding visitor experiences.
We've once again secured a media partnership with News Scotland for the 2024 awards. News Scotland are publishers of The Times, The Sunday Times and The Scottish Sun.
This partnership will raise the profile of the Scottish Thistle Awards through print and online content. This boosts the profile of the awards, the winners and nominees and encourages businesses to enter.
Press activity from this partnership will appear in a range of publications. This will include Alba, Times Scotland, the Sunday Times and the Scottish Sun. This creates many opportunities to celebrate award participants up to, and including, the awards nights.
We deliver these awards in partnership with regional award programmes who bring this event to life in each corner of Scotland.
Find out more about each regional partner event.