Is 2026 your winning year?

The Scottish Thistle Awards, Scotland's premier tourism and events awards are back for 2026.

Year on year, our finalists and winners continue to prove why Scotland's visitor economy is one of the country's most important and valuable sectors. The awards celebrate the best of the industry, recognising the outstanding achievements of the businesses and individuals who make Scotland a must-visit, must-return destination for visitors.

Our headline sponsor, Abbey: The Destination Experts returns for 2026, once again bringing their support and expertise as one of the UK & Ireland's leading inbound tourism specialists. You'll also see some changes to our categories this year, including a new national-only category.

Nominations and entries are now both open. 

Scottish Thistle Award national winners 2025. Credit: Connor Mollison

What's new for 2026?

This year’s programme includes 15 regional categories and four national-only categories highlighting Scotland’s exceptional people, accommodation, food and drink, outdoor experiences, visitor attractions and events.

The national-only categories spotlight Scotland’s excellence in sporting events, business events, luxury experiences and the role of inbound tourism in driving international demand. 

New national-only category

This year welcomes a new category: the Positive Impact Inbound Tour Operator Award. This category spotlights the important role Scotland's international inbound tour operators play in creating incredible experiences for global audiences.

It is open to Scottish-based inbound tour operators and Destination Management Companies (DMCs) promoting and selling packaged holidays to international markets.

It recognises the operators who champion responsible travel, delivering a positive impact – ensuring Scotland’s natural heritage, communities and culture are protected and enhanced – while offering world-class visitor experiences.

Update to accommodation categories

This year we have three accommodation categories: 

• Best Hotel: celebrating hotels of all sizes that provide customers with a memorable and authentic experience. 

• Best accommodation or unique stay: celebrating businesses with a unique accommodation experience, while going the extra mile to provide a personal, memorable and authentic experience. 

• Best self-catering or exclusive use: aimed at businesses providing outstanding overnight accommodation and which consider themselves self-catering or exclusive use. 

Changes have been introduced to reflect shifts within the small, serviced accommodation sector and to ensure the awards showcase the full breadth and character of today’s accommodation offerings. 

See a full description of each category on our awards website: Categories | Scottish Thistle Awards  

Roll the tape: hear from our 2025 winners

To kick off the 2026 programme, we once again have an advert featuring on STV to help us shine a spotlight on the awards. 

The advert includes a few of our 2025 national winners and will highlight what it means to be a winner.  

Watch the video to hear from Edinburgh Zoo, Kildrummy Inn and DF Concerts (TRNSMT Festival).