Check out who made the regional Thistle Awards shortlist

The Scottish Thistle Awards, with headline sponsor Johnstons of Elgin, celebrate the very best of the tourism and events industry, which is worth £11.5 billion to the Scottish economy.

The South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) today announced the shortlist for the South of Scotland Thistle Awards, with more than 30 tourism businesses, events and individuals in the running to receive the prestigious award, selected from a pool of 112 entries from across the region.

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Among those shortlisted is the Go Wild Scotland Community Interest Group in Selkirk in the new Celebrating Thriving Communities category.

The Trimontium Museum in Melrose is in running for the Best Visitor Attraction category and are also going head-to-head in the Innovation in Tourism category.

Out-there Artisan (Image: Beeline PR)

Meanwhile the Allanton Inn in Berwickshire and Out-there Artisan in Jedburgh are shortlisted for the Best Eating Experience award at the South of Scotland Thistle Awards.

And The Ghillie B&B in Melrose is up for the Best B&B or Guest House Experience gongs. 

The South of Scotland Thistle Awards, organised by the South of Scotland Destination Alliance and supported by South of Scotland Enterprise, will take place at the Cairndale Hotel and Leisure Club in Dumfries on 5 October 2023.

The venue is itself up for the Best Hotel Experience accolade, alongside Cringletie Hotel in Peebles and The Selkirk Arms Hotel in Kirkcudbright.  

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Eilidh Cox, owner of Out-there Artisan in Jedburgh, said: "Receiving the nomination for the Thistle awards encouraged me to continue the application as I felt it would be a brilliant way to celebrate and thank my local regular customers for their continued support. The pandemic has been such a test to many businesses and being able to continue to build and expand Out-there Artisan by being shortlisted for the regional award fills me with pride. Just making it to the final is a huge honour but to bring the award home would be a huge achievement for my whole team and our amazing customers that make running my business possible."  

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David and Claire MacTaggart, proprietors of Tiny Home Borders in Hawick, said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for a Thistle Award, an award which is held in such high esteem in the tourism industry. In reaching this stage it is a compliment to the wonderful local suppliers and partners we use at Tiny Home Borders, who support us in providing for our guests a truly memorable experience here at our cosy hillside retreat.”

David Hope-Jones OBE, Chief Executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance, said: “Tourism, events and hospitality businesses are crucial to the South of Scotland’s community and economic prosperity. The sector has weathered some huge challenges in recent years but, through all this, businesses have worked tirelessly to ensure the South of Scotland remains a leading global destination – as recognised by Lonely Planet.

“Our new South of Scotland Thistle Awards allow us to celebrate our region’s leading lights in the sector, recognising quality and excellence.  My hearty congratulations to the outstanding businesses named today as regional finalists.  We look forward to our inaugural South of Scotland Thistle Awards in Dumfries in October – the ‘Oscars’ of tourism in the South!”

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Professor Russel Griggs, SOSE Chair, said: “SOSE is delighted to see the shortlist for the region’s first dedicated Scottish Thistle Awards. We have been really fortunate to work with and support some of these fantastic tourism businesses over the past few years.

“We will continue to work in partnership with SSDA and Visit Scotland to help transform the visitor economy in the South and continue to highlight the region as a fantastic place to visit and live. I would like to wish each and every one of the companies shortlisted today all the very best for the final on 5 October.”

The full South of Scotland Thistle Awards shortlist, by category:

Best B&B or Guest House Experience: The Ghillie B&B, Melrose, Queensberry House, Moffat and Nithbank Country Estate, Thornhill.

Best Bar or Pub: The Cross Keys, Ettrickbridge

Best Eating Experience: Allanton Inn, Allanton, Gather, Gatehouse of Fleet and Out-there Artisan, Jedburgh

Best Hotel Experience: The Cairndale Hotel and Leisure Club, Dumfries, Cringletie Hotel, Peebles and The Selkirk Arms Hotel, Kirkcudbright

Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience: Beirhope Alpacas, Hownam near Kelso, Kitchen Coos and Ewes, Newton Stewart and Ridelines, Innerleithen

Best Self-Catering Accommodation Experience: Arden Holiday Cottage, Dumfries, Loch Ken Eco Bothies, Castle Douglas and Tiny Home Borders, Hawick.

Best Visitor Attraction: Dalscone Farm Park, Dumfries, The Devil’s Porridge Museum, Eastriggs and Trimontium Museum, Melrose

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Celebrating Thriving Communities: The Devil’s Porridge Museum, Eastriggs, Go Wild Scotland Community Interest Group, Selkirk and KPT Development Trust, Thornhill

Climate Action Award: Nithbank Country Estate, Thornhill.

Innovation in Tourism: Dalscone Farm Park, Dumfries, Trimontium Museum, Melrose

Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival: Borders Book Festival, Melrose, Newton Stewart and Minnigaff Traditional Music and Dance Festival, Newton Stewart, Spring Fling Open Studios, Dumfries and Stranraer Oyster Festival, Stranraer.

Tourism & Hospitality Employer of the Year: Barend Holiday Lodges & The Beagle Country Pub, Dalbeattie

Tourism Individual of the Year: Melanie Allen, Thornhill and Richard Brodie, Eastriggs