Here in the South of Scotland we want to celebrate and encourage the excellence our hospitality and tourism providers offer. It is one of the key reasons the SSDA took on organising the inaugural 2023 South of Scotland Thistle Awards. One of five regional awards, the South of Scotland Thistle Awards winners go on to compete at the national Scottish Thistle Awards.  

The local engagement and support from tourism businesses over the past two years has exceeded all expectations and has resulted in as many national Thistle Awards as the previous 21 years put together.  Never before has the South of Scotland won more national awards than any other region. 

Each event has  provided opportunity for both pride and reflection on the quality of the offering of hospitality and tourism in the South of Scotland and we are thrilled to be able to talk about our South of Scotland and National Thistle Awards winners and finalists as we promote the South of Scotland to a worldwide audience.  What better welcome for those coming to visit than to be staying/eating/visiting places that have garnered Scotland’s tourism Oscar!  

We are delighted that The South of Scotland 2025 awards will be supported for a third year by Caledonia Park.  Our ceremony will take place in Dumfries & Galloway on 2nd October 2025 and we hope many of our organisations that support the region's visitor economy will be there to join in the celebrations. 

In 2024 four of our twelve regional winners  went on to be named National Thistle Award winners we look forward to sending strong  contenders from the South of Scotland this year!

With thanks to our Headline Sponsor