Central and East Thistle Awards Winners 2026

The winners of the Central & East of Scotland Thistle Awards were announced last night at the regional awards ceremony at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh. 

On an evening focussed on celebrating the success, hard work and achievements of the tourism and events industry, an international festival, a boutique hotel and a family-run cycling business were among the winners crowned as regional champions for the 2026 programme.

The Scottish Thistle Awards, with headline sponsors Abbey- The Destination Experts, recognise the very best of our industry.  They are an annual celebration of excellence, collaboration and innovation within one of the country’s most important growth sectors. 

Read on for the winner of each category. 

An image of all of the winners on stage together. Credit: Connor Mollison / VisitScotland.

Best Accommodation or Unique Stay

28 York Place, Edinburgh

Set within an elegant Georgian townhouse in Edinburgh's New Town, 28 York Place is a boutique hotel full of character and charm. Each room blends period detail with quiet, considered comfort, offering guests a genuine sense of place just moments from the city's finest streets, galleries and restaurants.

Best Bar or Pub

The Original Rosslyn Inn, Roslin

For more than 50 years, the Harris family has welcomed visitors from around the world to The Original Rosslyn Inn, combining genuine Scottish hospitality with locally inspired food, comfortable accommodation and a passion for sharing the area's remarkable heritage.

Award sponsored by Scottish Licensed Trade Association.

Best Community Tourism & Events Initiative

The Enchanted Forest, Pitlochry

The Enchanted Forest is Scotland's award-winning sound and light spectacular, transforming the stunning surroundings of Faskally Wood into an unforgettable immersive experience each autumn. Since its launch, the event has captivated hundreds of thousands of visitors with original storytelling, spectacular lighting, bespoke music and world-class creative design.

Award sponsored by The Scottish Sun.

Best Eating Experience

Amber Restaurant at The Scotch Whisky Experience, Edinburgh

Amber Restaurant is where Scotland’s larder meets Scotland’s whisky story. Known for its immersive dining experiences and passion for whisky and food storytelling, Amber takes guests on a journey through Scotland’s landscapes, flavours and traditions, one plate and dram at a time.

Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience

A Wee Pedal, Edinburgh

A wee pedal is a 5-star, multi-award-winning, family-run cycle tourism and community cycling business. Now in its seventh year, it has grown into Edinburgh’s largest cycle tour company, welcoming around 3,000 guests annually while supporting over 1,000 local people each year to gain confidence on a bike.

Award sponsored by Get Your Guide.

Best Hotel

Virgin Hotel Edinburgh

Situated in the historic India Buildings in Edinburgh’s Old Town, this acclaimed hotel was recently voted the number 4 hotel in the UK in the 2025 Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards.

Award sponsored by Fishers.

Best Self-Catering or Exclusive Use

Highland Escapism at Straloch Estate, Pitlochry

Straloch Highland Retreats is a small family-run, self-catering business delivering high-quality holiday accommodation. Their ethos is to create immersive, memorable stays that encourage guests to slow down, reconnect, and return.

Best Visitor Attraction

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Edinburgh

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is Edinburgh’s oldest purpose-built visitor attraction. It offers five floors of interactive exhibits, optical illusions, puzzles, and hands-on fun for all ages, combining history, science, and entertainment in a uniquely immersive way.

Climate Action Award

Edinburgh International Festival

Edinburgh International Festival is the original festival, the igniting spark that established Edinburgh as the world's Festival City. For 79 years, its programme of world-leading dance, opera, music and theatre has brought people of different cultures together every August, alongside year-round pathways for participation.

Award sponsored by Historic Scotland.

Employer of the Year

28 York Place, Edinburgh

Set within an elegant Georgian townhouse in Edinburgh's New Town, 28 York Place is a boutique hotel full of character and charm. Each room blends period detail with quiet, considered comfort, offering guests a genuine sense of place just moments from the city's finest streets, galleries and restaurants.

Inclusion Award

Edinburgh Zoo

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is a wildlife conservation charity with a bold vision of a world where nature is protected, valued and loved. Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park are our gateways to the natural world through which visitors can experience the wonders of nature.

Award sponsored by AccessAble.

Innovation Award

Newton Farm Holidays & Tours, Forfar

Newton Farm Holidays & Tours is an award-winning working family farm in Angus, creating authentic and innovative ways for visitors to connect with farming, animals and the countryside.

Award sponsored by The Times Scotland

Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a world-class event, rooted in Scottish tradition, offering audiences an experience like no other. Performed to a live audience of 230,000 each year, the Tattoo features music, precision performances, and dance from military and cultural acts around the globe.

Award sponsored by STV.

Rising Star Award

Helen McVey, Highland Experience Tours, Edinburgh

Helen McVey is the Ethical Business Development and Sales Executive at Highland Experience Tours Ltd. She combines her passion for tourism with a commitment towards responsible, ethical business practices and the benefits it can deliver.

Award sponsored by HIT Scotland.