WHAT'S NEW FOR 2026?
Key dates
Nominations for all categories are open from 2 March and close on 30 March 2026. It is now easier than ever for members of the public to put forward their recommendations for businesses and events working hard to make Scotland such a fantastic place to visit.
Entries to all categories are open from 16 March to 27 April 2026. Businesses can enter at any time throughout the entry-open period and do not need to be nominated in order to enter. Those that have been nominated will receive an email encouraging them to complete the online entry form.
Announcements of those shortlisted for the regional awards will be made in July, with regional finals taking place in September/October (dates vary per region - keep an eye on the Award Ceremonies page for more information). Regional winners progress to the National Final as a national finalist in their category.
The shortlist for the national-only categories will be announced in August, with the National Final taking place on Friday 20th November 2026.
Categories
There are a total of 15 regional categories and 4 national-only categories in this year’s programme, celebrating the very best of Scotland’s people, accommodation sector, food and drink, outdoor experiences, luxury experiences, visitor attractions and events.
This year we have introduced a new national-only category - the Positive Impact Inbound Tour Operator Award. This category recognises Scotland-based tour operators who champion responsible travel, delivering a positive impact – ensuring Scotland’s natural heritage, communities and culture are protected and enhanced – while offering world-class visitor experiences. Find out more about the category, who should enter and take a look at the entry questions.
Changes have also been introduced to the accommodation categories to reflect shifts within the small serviced accommodation sector and to ensure the awards showcase the full breadth and character of today’s accommodation offerings. The updated categories are: Best Accommodation or Unique Stay; Best Self‑Catering or Exclusive‑Use; and Best Hotel.
View the full list of categories and find out more about each of the 2026 categories.
Media partnership
The Scottish Thistle Awards will once again include a media partnership with News Scotland for 2026. We look forward to building on the success of this partnership which has helped raise the profile of the awards and winners across their online and print portfolio of titles that includes The Scottish Sun, Times and Times Alba and the Sunday Times.
The 2025 partnership culminated in a 8-page supplement featuring dedicated content on all national winners.
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors
Delivered by VisitScotland in partnership and collaboration with:
