Stirling Observer

Time to compete at Thistle Awards

Spotlight on tourism firms

- KAIYA MARJORIBAN­KS

Tourism and events businesses across Stirling and Forth Valley are being encouraged to enter this year’s Scottish Thistle Awards.

The awards will shine a spotlight on the very best of the tourism and events industry, with entries closing on June 10, and celebrate the very best of Scotland’s tourism and events industry.

Local tourism and events businesses are being encouraged to enter and gain recognitio­n for their hard work over the last two years.

Delivered by national tourism organisati­on Visitscotl­and, the Scottish Thistle Awards combine regional awards with a national final.

Entries from businesses based in the Lothian & Borders; West; Central, Fife & Tayside will be held in October and November 2022. Winners from these regions will join those selected in the Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards and the Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards at the national final taking place in February 2023.

Visitscotl­and regional director Neil Christison said: “The Scottish Thistle Awards offer the opportunit­y for individual­s and businesses in Stirling and Forth Valley to gain recognitio­n for all the work they do to make the region such a fantastic place to visit and stay.

“It has been a challengin­g two years for tourism and events, but our industry has continued to adapt and innovate. The benefits of tourism spread far beyond the industry itself – to the wider economy, to communitie­s, and to the wellbeing of so many individual­s.

“Now more than ever, the Scottish Thistle Awards present an opportunit­y to showcase tourism as a force for good, helping to ensure that tourism is recognised for the positive impact it brings to the region.”

The Real Food Café in Tyndrum was crowned the national winner of the Best Informal Eating Experience at the Scottish Thistle Awards in 2020.

Co-owner Sarah Heward said: “Winning was literally one of the highlights of our careers, made even better by being shared with hundreds of faces from the Scottish tourism and hospitalit­y industry.

“Winning has helped validate what we say about the café and strengthen­ed our position as a premier stopping place enroute to the North West Highlands.”

The 17 categories, which includes 13 regional categories and four national categories, include Best B&B or Guest House Experience (sponsored by Abbey UK), Best Eatery Experience and Best Hotel Experience.

Nomination­s to the regional categories close on May 27, 2022, with entries closing on June 10. Entries to the national categories close on September 2.

For a full list of categories and to nominate and enter, visit: www. scottishth­istleaward­s.co.uk

 ?? ?? Popular Sarah Heyward of the Real Food Café in Tyndrum which was crowned the national winner of the Best Informal Eating Experience at the Scottish Thistle Awards in 2020
Popular Sarah Heyward of the Real Food Café in Tyndrum which was crowned the national winner of the Best Informal Eating Experience at the Scottish Thistle Awards in 2020
 ?? ?? Starthe Real Food Cafe, on the A82, at Tyndrum
Starthe Real Food Cafe, on the A82, at Tyndrum

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