2025 NATIONAL FINALISTS
Browse the 2025 National Finalists below.
Winners will be announced at The Scottish Thistle Awards National Final on 20th November 2025 at Hilton Glasgow.
Best B&B or Guest House Experience
Ardtorna, Oban
Clint Lodge, Melrose
Derrybeg Bed & Breakfast, Pitlochry
Lys-Na-Greyne, Aboyne
Best Bar or Pub
Ardgour Ales, Fort William
The Craftsman Company, Aberdeen
Cross Keys Inn, Ettrickbridge
The Grandtully Hotel, Grandtully
The Piper Whisky Bar, Glasgow
Best Business Event
92nd Interpol General Assembly at the Scottish Event Campus, Glasgow
The 36th International Papillomavirus Conference 2024 at the EICC, Edinburgh
The IEC General Meeting hosted by BSI, Edinburgh
Best Community Tourism & Events Initiative
Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks, Aberdeen
Sanday Community Craft Hub, Orkney
Solsgirth Home Farm, Dollar
South Ayrshire Council, The International Ayr Show - Festival of Flight, Ayr
Stranraer Oyster Festival, Stranraer
Best Eating Experience
Elements, Glasgow
Fish Shop, Ballater
Killiecrankie House, Killiecrankie
Ninth Wave Restaurant, Isle of Mull
Wilson's Farm and Kitchen, Kelso
Best Hotel Experience
Cameron House on Loch Lomond, Alexandria
Kildrummy Inn, Alford
The Murray Arms, Gatehouse of Fleet
Murrayshall, Scone
The Torridon, Annat
Best Luxury Experience
Johnstons of Elgin, Elgin
Knockinaam Lodge, Stranraer
The House of Bruar, Perthshire
Trump Turnberry, Girvan
Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience
Bellevue Farm - Arran farm tours and experiences, Isle of Arran
Islay Sea Adventures, Isle of Islay
Mostly Ghostly, Thornhill
Newton Farm Holidays & Tours, Forfar
Tarland Trails, Tarland
Best Self-Catering or Unique Stay
Big Sky Lodges, Muir of Ord
The Bonnie Barns at Lennox of Lomond, Alexandria
The Bus Stop, Haddington
Loch Ken Eco Bothies, Castle Douglas
Logie Newton Lodges, Huntly
Best Visitor Attraction
Edinburgh Zoo, Edinburgh
Glen Garioch Distillery, Oldmeldrum
Highland Wildlife Park, Kingussie
The Tall Ship Glenlee, Glasgow
Trimontium Museum, Melrose
Climate Action Award
Aberdeen Archives, Gallery and Museums, Aberdeen
Edinburgh Zoo, Edinburgh
Maynes Coaches, Buckie
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum - Sustainability Initiative, Ayr
Wigwam Holidays Wigtown, Newton Stewart
Employer of the Year
Auchrannie Resort, Isle of Arran
The Cairndale Hotel & Spa, Dumfries
Fife Arms Hotel, Braemar
The Real Mary King's Close, Edinburgh
The Torridon, Annat
Inclusion Award
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Edinburgh
DF Concerts & Events - TRNSMT Festival, Glasgow
The Great Tapestry of Scotland, Galashiels
Individual of the Year
Claire Bruce - Glen Tanar Estate, Aboyne
Katrina Reynolds - Allanton Inn, Duns
Paul Nixon - The Real Mary King's Close, Edinburgh
Roddy MacKay - Eilean Dorcha Festival, Isle of Benbecula
Sheila Gilmore - VisitArran, Isle of Arran
Innovation Award
Glasgow Life Museums - travel trade and group experiences, Glasgow
HMS Unicorn (The Unicorn Preservation Society), Dundee
Trimontium Museum, Melrose
WildLuing, Oban
Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Inverness
Celtic Connections, Glasgow
Dumfries International Street Food Festival, Dumfries
Edinburgh International Book Festival, Edinburgh
Spectra, Scotland's Festival of Light, Aberdeen
Outstanding Sporting Event
The Gralloch, Gatehouse of Fleet
Tour of Britain - Scottish Borders, St Boswells
World Orienteering Championships 2024, Edinburgh
Rising Star Award
Blaine Lyons - TwinPeakes FlyFishing, Aberdeen
Grace Robinson - Loch Ness Hub & Travel, Inverness
Hugh Mackay - Highland Experience Tours, Edinburgh
Laura Raeburn - Park Hotel (Crieff Hydro Group), Peebles
Mae MacInnes - Mharsanta, Glasgow
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