Blooming Marvellous!

A family run bakery, an International Science Festival and a steam railway line were among the winners at the regional finals of the Scottish Thistles Awards on 5 November.

Held at the Royal College of Physicians, the prestigious tourism awards recognised excellence and success by tourism businesses from Edinburgh and the Lothians, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire, Stirling, Fife and the Scottish Borders.

Winners included Prestionfield, Leith-based eateries Mimi’s Bakehouse and The Kitchin, the Edinburgh International Science Festival and Fauhope Country House in Melrose.

The Bridge Inn at Ratho received the first ever Friendliest Pub or Bar Award, while Cruise Forth Welcome Volunteers, who operate between Fife and Edinburgh, earned the Our Warmest Welcome prize, which celebrates those who go the extra mile to showcase our famous Scottish hospitality.

Crosswoodhill Farm Holiday Cottages, near West Calder, took home the Best Holiday Accommodation Award. The Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway was named the J. Thomson Colour Printers Best Visitor Attraction and St Andrew’s-based twins, Guy and Jamie McKenzie, were recognised as the Forestry Commission Scotland Best Outdoor/Adventure Experience for their land yachting company Blown Away. 

The Scottish Thistle Awards also aims to honour individuals who have demonstrated excellent customer service or made a great effort to promote Scottish tourism.

Helen Fraser, who has lived, studied and worked in Edinburgh for many years, won the  Discovering Scotland Award for her work as a private tour guide, sharing her ‘special places and knowledge of Scotland’ through her afternoon tea tours. Peter Thornton beat off stiff competition to be named Young Ambassador, while Willie MacLeod won the final prize of the afternoon, the Ambassador Award.

All winners will now go on to fly the flag for the Central South East region, at the glittering national Scottish Thistle Award final in March.

Manuela Calchini, VisitScotland Regional Partnerships Director, said: “The Central South East region, which covers everything from Stirling and Fife, down to Edinburgh & the Lothians, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire and the Scottish Borders, is renowned  for its tourism offering, impressing visitors with its diverse culture, rich history, delicious food and drink and friendly people. These awards recognise tourism talent and those going the extra mile to ensure visitors enjoy many ‘Brilliant Moments’ while in Scotland. Our winners demonstrate this in abundance and I wish them the greatest of luck for the next stage of the competition.”

For the first time in its 22 year history, the Scottish Thistle Awards is now led by several organisations including VisitScotland, the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards and the Scottish Licensed Trade Association.

Organised and delivered by VisitScotland, the Scottish Thistle Awards recognises success, excellence and quality in the Scottish tourism industry. The regional format of the awards celebrates the exceptional efforts made by tourism business throughout Scotland. The  Central South West and North East & Tayside regional finals are due to take place in in Hampden Park and Perth Race Course respectively.

Stephen Carter OBE, VisitScotland Board Member and Chair of the Scottish Thistle Awards Industry Panel, said:“The caliber of entries to this year’s Scottish Thistle Awards has been outstanding and on behalf of the panel I want to congratulate all those shortlisted, particularly our winners.

“2014 has been an exceptional year for Scottish tourism with the Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup and Year of Homecoming. We must now use the success of this year as a Launchpad for tourism. The people and businesses represented here today will play a key part in helping ensure Scotland’s tourism industry continues to thrive and that visitors, old and new, keep coming to Scotland.”

A total of 670 businesses were nominated for Scottish Thistle Awards in 2014 with 555 businesses entering the regional heats.

A panel, comprising of some of the most senior figures in Scottish tourism as well as tourism ambassadors such as Nick Nairn, Martin Wishart, television presenter Kaye Adams and the man behind T in the Park Geoff Ellis, were responsible for determining the winners in each category.

For full details visit: www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk ry

Full list of winners for Central South East region:

IMAGE

Please credit Colin Hattersley

THISTLE DO NICELY: The Central South East Scottish Thistle Award winners 2014 celebrate following the regional final at the Royal College of Physicians.