Rural Affairs Secretary visits award-winning dairy Rowan Glen

South of Scotland Thistle Awards shine spotlight on unprecedented number of tourism stars

A record-breaking shortlist for the 2025 South of Scotland Thistle Awards has been unveiled.

The Awards celebrate the region’s outstanding tourism businesses, events, and individuals committed to delivering exceptional visitor experiences. 

This year, there are 44 finalists across 15 categories, up from 30 finalists in the previous year, demonstrating the growing strength and ambition of the region’s visitor economy.

Remarkably, 30 of these finalists are businesses entering the awards for the first time, highlighting a diverse mix of fresh talent and renewed commitment to excellence in the South of Scotland.  

Caledonia Park Designer Outlet returns as headline sponsor, reaffirming its commitment to supporting and promoting tourism excellence in the South of Scotland. 

Finalists

Best B&B or Guest House Experience: 

  • Applegarth House Bed & Breakfast, Lockerbie 

  • Clint Lodge, Melrose 

Best Bar or Pub: 

  • Cross Keys Inn, Ettrickbridge 

  • The Gordon Arms, Gordon 

  • Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn 

Best Community Tourism & Events Experience: 

  • A’ The Airts, Sanquhar 

  • Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities, Kirkcudbright 

  • Stranraer Oyster Festival, Stranraer 

Best Eating Experience: 

  • Field Fare, Auldgirth 

  • The Homestead Café and Farm Shop, Coldstream 

  • Wilson’s Farm and Kitchen, Morebattle 

Best Hotel Experience, sponsored by Shortridge Limited: 

  • Knockinaam Lodge, Portpatrick 

  • The Murray Arms, Gatehouse of Fleet 

  • The Ship Inn, Gatehouse of Fleet 

Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience: 

  • Faldonside Eco LLP, Melrose 

  • Mostly Ghostly, Thornhill 

  • Neth Hill Border Collies, Heriot 

Best Self Catering or Unique Stay: 

  • The Green House, Ettrickbridge 

  • Loch Ken Eco Bothies, Galloway Activity Centre, Castle Douglas 

  • The Open Book, Wigtown 

  • The Outdoor Hotel, Auldgirth 

Best Visitor Attraction: 

  • NTS Robert Smail’s Printing Works, Innerleithen 

  • The Moffat Distillery, Moffat 

  • Trimontium Museum, Melrose 

Climate Action Award: 

  • Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership, Newton Stewart 

  • The Green House, Ettrickbridge 

  • Wigwam Holidays, Wigtown 

Employer of the Year: 

  • The Cairndale Hotel & Spa, Dumfries 

Inclusion Award: 

  • Airhouses, Lauder 

  • The Devil’s Porridge Museum, Eastriggs 

  • The Great Tapestry of Scotland, Galashiels 

Individual of the Year: 

  • Jamie Muirhead – Laggan, Gatehouse of Fleet 

  • Joan McAlpine – Robert Burns Ellisland Museum & Farm, Auldgirth 

  • Katrina Reynolds - Allanton Inn, Allanton 

Innovation Award, sponsored by Laggan: 

  • The Moffat Distillery, Moffat 

  • Museum of Lead Mining, Wanlockhead 

  • Trimontium Museum, Melrose 

Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival, sponsored by DG Unlimited: 

  • Big Burns Supper, Dumfries 

  • DunsPlayFest, Duns 

  • Dumfries International Street Food Festival, Dumfries 

  • Spring Fling, Dumfries 

Rising Star Award: 

  • Laura Raeburn - Park Hotel (Crieff Hydro Group), Peebles 

  • Stewart Wilson - Tweed Valley Blogger, Innerleithen 

  • Zoey Darnbrough - Annandale Distillery Group, Annan 

Awards night date and tickets

The 2025 South of Scotland Thistle Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 2 October at GG’s Yard, Laggan Gatehouse of Fleet, bringing together the region’s tourism champions to celebrate their success.

Tickets are now available to join the event on the South of Scotland Destination Alliance’s website.

Winners will progress to the national Scottish Thistle Awards final later in the year, aiming to earn Scotland-wide recognition. 

Russel Griggs OBE, Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise, said:

“It is fantastic to see a record number of finalists from the South of Scotland tourism and hospitality sector in this year’s Thistle Awards. 

“To have 44 finalists in 15 categories, from Portpatrick in the west to Allanton in the east, highlights the quality of the service provided to visitors to our region, and the talent of the people working in this vital sector.  

“It also highlights why the South of Scotland Responsible Tourism Strategy was launched last year, to help deliver the best for our visitors, businesses, people, communities and our environment. 

“SOSE has worked with several of the finalists and I look forward to hearing more of their inspiring stories at the South of Scotland Thistle Awards in October.” 

David Hope-Jones OBE, Chief Executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance, said: 

"The record number of finalists this year is a testament to the incredible effort and ambition shown by tourism businesses and individuals across the region.

"Their dedication to delivering world-class visitor experiences is truly inspiring, and it’s an honour to celebrate their achievements once again through the Thistle Awards. 

The high number of finalists reflects not only the depth of talent in the South of Scotland but also the recognition of that quality by industry experts.

"It's particularly encouraging to see such a strong increase in applications this year, which shows how businesses are using the Thistle Awards as a springboard, investing in their development, raising standards, and striving for excellence. 

We feel the South of Scotland is in a very strong place as we look ahead to the National Finals, and we're proud to see so many of our local champions gaining the spotlight they deserve on a national stage." 

Gordon Smith, Destination Development Director at VisitScotland, said:

“Having such robust and record representation from the South of Scotland in the regional finals of the Scottish Thistle Awards is a fantastic reflection of the quality found across the region. 

“Being recognised by the Scottish Thistle Awards, means tourism businesses are considered some of the best in the country.

"The awards help to ensure that tourism, and the individuals who work in the industry, are praised for the positive impact they bring to the country and our communities. 

“They showcase the collaboration and innovation that drives this industry. I wish all those shortlisted the very best of luck at the South of Scotland Thistle Awards.” 

Caledonia Park Centre Director Scott Wells said: 

"We are incredibly proud to sponsor and support the South of Scotland Thistle Awards.

"This platform allows us to recognise and celebrate the excellence and success of outstanding individuals, businesses, and partnerships within our tourism, hospitality, and events industry.   

“At Caledonia Park Designer Outlet, Gretna, we understand the importance of acknowledging and championing the very best that the South of Scotland has to offer.  

"It is fantastic to see a record-breaking number of finalists this year and the high proportion of new entrants, showcasing the exceptional innovation and quality in our region.  

“We wish all the finalists the best of luck ahead of the award ceremony in October.”