A BORDERS tourist attraction is celebrating a hat-trick after being shortlisted for three prizes. 

Trimontium Museum is up for the Inclusive Tourism, Rising Star and Celebrating Thriving Communities gongs in the South of Scotland Thistle Awards.

A number of other Borders sites are also in the running for accolades as the event returns following a successful inaugural year.

Trimontium Museum tells the story of one of the largest Roman sites north of Hadrian's Wall. 

The Rising Star Award is a new prize and aims to recognise emerging talent shaping the future of tourism and hospitality in the region.

The museum’s Thania Meneses Flores is in the running.

She said: “I am delighted to be shortlisted for the Rising Star Award – it’s so important to have an award that recognises those of us at the beginning of our careers in tourism. 

“Having started at Trimontium as a remote intern in 2020, I first joined the staff team as community archivist for creativity and inclusion and I am now the heritage environment resources officer, focusing on digital resources, accessibility and inclusion, as well as developing the new heritage and landscape observatory project at Trimontium with digital and hybrid experiences merging archaeology, history and VR technology.”

Elsewhere in the Borders, Kelso’s Inglestone House Guest House is up for the Best B&B or Guest House Experience award.

The Cross Keys Inn, in Ettrickbridge, is in the running to be named Best Bar or Pub.

Two Borders sites - Beirhope Alpacas, Hownam near Kelso, and Glentress, near Peebles - have been shortlisted for the Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience gong.

Selkirk’s Five Turrets could be awarded the Best Self-Catering or Unique Stay prize.

Owner Gethin Chamberlain said: “We’re delighted to have been shortlisted for a Thistle Award. It’s more important than ever for tourism businesses to be seen to be at the heart of their communities and hopefully this reflects the way we have tried to create something that benefits our guests and local residents and businesses.”

Robert Smail’s Printing Works, in Innerleithen, is up for the Best Visitor Attraction prize.

The Borders is well represented on the Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival shortlist, with Alchemy Film and Arts in Hawick and the Borders Book Festival two of the four nominees.

Kirsty Archer-Thompson, of Abbotsford, is the only name in the running for the Tourism Individual of the Year accolade.

The South of Scotland Thistle Awards, delivered by the South of Scotland Destination Alliance, will take place at Peebles Hydro on October 3.