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!  

The South of Scotland 2024 awards was supported for a second year by Headline Sponsors, Caledonia Park, and took place on the evening of 3^rd October 2024 at Peebles Hydro in the Scottish Borders. 

We are delighted that four of our twelve regional winners in 2024 went on to be named National Thistle Award winners. 

Thank you to our Sponsors