The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Three regional winners receive accolades at ceremony
A trio of Aberdeenshire tourism ventures are celebrating after reaching the national final of the Scottish Thistle Awards.
They were among the winners at the north-east regional final at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre yesterday.
Organised by tourism body Visitscotland and widely seen as the industry’s Oscars, the annual Thistle Awards recognise the achievements of businesses throughout the country.
This year’s new format,
“Businesses need to think about what can help them to shine”
with regional ceremonies, was developed to highlight successes at a more local level.
Banff’s Famous Spotty Bag Shop Cafe, Portsoy’s Scottish Traditional Boat Festival and the Huntlybased Deveron, Bogie and Isla Rivers Charitable Trust go on to November’s national final after winning three of the categories yesterday. They were crowned – by former STV news anchorwoman Kirstin Gove – north-east winners of the best cafe, bar or restaurant; cultural event; and naturebased experience sections respectively.
Kenmassie, headof partnership relations at VisitScotland, said: “Aberdeen and the surrounding area have a great deal to offer visitors in terms of the quality of things to see and do and the places to stay.
“To make the most of the opportunities presented by the next few . . . years and to capitalise on once-in a-lifetime milestones like the (London) Olympics, Disney (film) Brave and Glasgow 2014 ( Commonwealth Games) the tourism industry as awholeneedstobeas polished as it can be.”
He added: “Businesses need to think about what can help them to shine, whether it’s a Scottish Thistle Award or being graded in our world-leading quality assurance scheme. Now is the time for businesses to do all they can to stay at the very top of their game and reap the rewards.”
As well as the prestige of rubbing shoulders with the best Scottish tourism has to offer, the regional winners receive a package of benefits which could include – among other options – entry into the quality assurance scheme and advertising.
The other winners yesterday were the Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel, Dunkeld; Craigatin House and Courtyard, Pitlochry; Forbes of Kingennie, Broughty Ferry; the Famous Grouse Experience, near Crieff; the Ricoh Women's British Open 2011, at Carnoustie; Crieff Hydro, and the Enchanted Forest, near Pitlochry.