Tourism finalists are best in the area

TALENTED individuals and tourism businesses from around Dumfries and Galloway are to the fore for the 2025 South of Scotland Thistle Awards.

This year’s shortlist has been revealed and consists of 44 finalists across 15 categories, with the organisers saying they had an unprecedented number of entries.

Heading to the glittering awards ceremony at Laggan near Gatehouse of Fleet in October to find out their fate will be:

Inclusion Award finalists: The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

Best Community Tourism and Events Experience: A’ The Airts; Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities; and Stranraer Oyster Festival.

Rising Star Award: Zoey Darnbrough from Annandale Distillery Group.

Best B&B/Guest House Experience: Applegarth House B&B, Lockerbie.

Best Bar/Pub: Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn.

Best Eating Experience: Field Fare, Auldgirth.

Best Hotel Experience: Knockinaam Lodge, Portpatrick; The Murray Arms, Gatehouse of Fleet; and The Ship Inn, Gatehouse of Fleet.

Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience: Mostly Ghostly, Thornhill.

Best Self Catering or Unique Stay: Loch Ken Eco Bothies at Galloway Activity Centre; The Open Book, Wigtown; The Outdoor Hotel, Auldgirth.

Best Visitor Attraction: The Moffat Distillery, Moffat.

Climate Action Award: Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership, Newton Stewart; Wigwam Holidays, Wigtown.

Employer of the Year: The Cairndale Hotel and Spa, Dumfries.

Individual of the Year: Jamie Muirhead of Laggan; and Joan McAlpine, Robert Burns Ellisland Museum and Farm.

Innovation Award: Moffat Distillery, Moffat; and Museum of Lead Mining, Wanlockhead.

Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival: Big Burns Supper, Dumfries; Dumfries International Street Food Festival; and Spring Fling.

The winners will progress to the national Scottish Thistle Awards final later in the year.

David Hope-Jones OBE, from organisers 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.”

Gordon Smith, from VisitScotland, said: “Being recognised by the Scottish Thistle Awards, means tourism businesses are considered some of the best in the country.”