TWO Borders tourism and hospitality businesses won awards at the Scottish Thistle Awards last night.

The Trimontium Museum and The Cross Keys Inn both walked away with gongs at the annual event.

The winners were announced at an award ceremony held in Glasgow last night.

The Trimontium Museum, in Melrose, won the Inclusive Tourism Award and The Cross Keys Inn, in Ettrickbridge, won Best Bar or Pub for the second year in a row.

Borders tourism and hospitality individuals were also nominated for awards after winning at the South of Scotland Thistle Awards in October.

Kirsty Archer-Thompson of the Abbotsford Trust was up for Tourism Individual of the Year and Thania Meneses Flores of the Trimontium Museum was up for the Rising Star Award.

David Hope-Jones, chief executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) said: “We’re really proud of our outstanding tourism and hospitality sector here in the South of Scotland – from our unforgettable experiences and attractions to our incredible accommodation and food and drink offering.

“Last night’s success reflects this quality and excellence, with four regional finalists taking home national awards.  This is the South of Scotland’s second-best year in the 30-year history of these prestigious awards.

“Tourism is a vital part of our local economy and everyone who participated in our second regional South of Scotland Thistle Awards has done their region proud, proving that there is truly no limit to the quality and excellence of tourism talent in the South of Scotland!”

The awards celebrate business and tourism in Scotland with nominations coming from five regional awards across Scotland: South of Scotland, Aberdeen and shire, The Highlands and Islands, West and Central and East.

The awards from this year’s awards covered 15 regional categories and three national categories.

Entries for next year’s South of South Thistle Awards will go live in the spring.