Winners Gallery 2024

Huge congratulations to all our South of Scotland Thistle Award finalists and in particular to our winners that go on to represent the South at the Scottish Thistle Awards in November, which celebrates its 30th Anniversary.

Check out all the winners and have a look at our gallery of the awards night.

Best Bar or Pub

Cross Keys Inn, Ettrickbridge

To have won this award for the second-year running is incredibly special for our whole team who have worked so hard to ensure our passion for community and great quality experiences stays at the heart of everything we do. We couldn’t do this without them and we’re honoured to represent the South of Scotland in the National Final! Rory Steel, Owner

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Best Eating Experience

The Globe Inn, Dumfries

Winning Best Dining Experience at the Thistle Awards is a testament to our team's dedication to crafting memorable moments. At The Globe Inn, we believe dining is more than just food; it's an experience. We're immensely proud to be recognised for our commitment to exceptional cuisine, warm hospitality, and the unique atmosphere that makes each visit truly special - Jonathan Brett, Head of Cuisine

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Outdoor - Mostly Ghostly at Carrick Shore

Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience

Mostly Ghostly, Dumfries & Galloway

We're thrilled, honoured and delighted to be recognised for our contribution to Outdoor and Adventure Tourism, and extend our warmest thanks to everyone who has supported us over the past sixteen years. We also congratulate our fantastic co-finalists who work tirelessly to promote Scotland's spirit of adventure. Kathleen Cronie, Founder Member

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Best B&B or Guesthouse Experience

Queensberry House B&B, Moffat

What an honour! This is the highlight of our lives. For a small business like ours to win such a prestigious award again, we are over the moon and overwhelmed with joy – and will probably stay like this for some time yet. We will take it back to Moffat with pride. Thank you! Caroline Egan & Miles Hargreaves , Co-owners

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Best Hotel Experience

The Ship Inn Hotel, Gatehouse of Fleet

"A fantastic reward for a young team who consistently support each other and work together to make the business better, despite the various headwinds over the last year." Jonathan & Sarah Henderson (Owners)

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Celebrating Thriving Communities

All Roads Lead to Whithorn, Whithorn

"Thank you so much to the community of Whithorn for your support of our charity over the last ten years, it's a pleasure to live and work in the beautiful area we have, being able to know and support so many members of our community, in so many different ways is an honour. We will continue to work for the local community and support locals in every way we can."

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Best Visitor Experience

Famous Blacksmiths Shop Visitor Attraction, Gretna Green

"We are honoured to accept the Best Visitor Attraction award at the Regional Thistle Awards. This recognition reflects the passion and hard work of our entire team at Gretna Green. A heartfelt thank you to all our visitors and supporters. Thank you!"

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Inclusive Tourism Award

Trimontium Museum, Melrose

"Trimontium is over the moon to receive the award for inclusive tourism. Accessibility has been a driving force of our redevelopment project. Whether as a visitor or volunteer, we strive to make our history engaging and accessible to all. This award will inspire our continuing work in reaching out to the wider community."

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Rising Star Award

Thania Meneses Flores, Trimontium Trust and Museum, Melrose

"What an absolute honour to win this award. I was delighted to have been shortlisted for the Rising Star category in the South of Scotland Thistle Awards, and it’s a privilege to be a winner. Trimontium is an amazing place to work and thrive, and this would not be possible without the support of trustees, staff and volunteers who have all believed in me since the beginning, who took a chance on me and gave me the opportunity to join their team at the very start of my museum and tourism career. I look forward to keeping contributing to our thriving community and sharing the fascinating story of the Roman Iron Age in Scotland."

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Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival

Wigtown Festival Company, Wigtown

"Being chosen as a Thistle Awards winner is a genuine honour and underlines the value of our book festival in generating sustainable tourism and economic benefits, in one of Scotland’s poorest rural areas, through an event that has grown to become a much-loved part of Scotland's cultural calendar.”
Adrian Turpin, Wigtown Book Festival Creative Director.

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Best Self-Catering Experience

The Outdoor Hotel, Auldgirth

“It really is an honour to win this award, we’re such a small family run business, doing things a little differently and enjoying it along the way, we often don’t feel like a proper business. But winning something like this is a huge boost and just goes to show how valued small sustainable businesses are in our wonderful part of the world.”

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Individual - KirstyAbbotsford-20080639 (1)

Tourism Individual of the Year

Kirsty Archer-Thompson FSAScot

"I am simply blown away to win a Thistle Award, particularly when there are so many talented people out there bringing Scotland’s cultural history to life. Showcasing Abbotsford’s heritage and designing new ways of accessing it has always been more than a job for me; it’s a kind of love affair. When you see visitors smile and relate to aspects of our visitor experience, all the hard work is worth it. My work at Abbotsford has been a lifeline for me during an extended battle with cancer, and I am so glad I am still able to champion Sir Walter Scott’s astonishing legacy and the Scottish Borders he loved so much. "

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