The awards launch and nominations open in March each year.
It's now simpler than ever to nominate a business for an award. For 2023, we streamlined the entire process to make it easier for the public to submit a nomination.
Please note that nominations for 2023 are now closed.
Entries open to all categories in April. If you receive a nomination, you'll get an email encouraging you to enter the awards.
But, it's not essential to receive a public nomination to enter. You can still enter online to your chosen award categories.
Our panel of independent industry experts will shortlist and judge all entries during May and June. We'll then announce the shortlist for each category in July. You will receive an email from the Scottish Thistles team if you're shortlisted.
The shortlist announcement will be made on the Scottish Thistle Awards website, and on our corporate Twitter channel. Keep an eye on these platforms to see if your business has received a nomination.
Scotland's full of excellent businesses, so we work with regional partners to deliver each award night.
Every autumn, we host five regional events:
Winners from each regional award ceremony will progress to our national final. At the national final, we'll announce the overall winner for each individual category.
We host the national finals during December. Location to be announced for 2023. Tickets will be available for purchase nearer the time.
A new advert featuring some of the winners from Scotland’s premier tourism and events awards aired on STV from 3 July.
Hear from recent winners from the national final of the Scottish Thistle Awards how it benefited them.
Accommodation
This includes B&Bs, hotels, guesthouses, inns, restaurants with rooms, farmhouses and more.
Food and drink
Pubs, restaurants, eateries and food providers.
Outdoor
Those delivering engaging experiences with our landscapes and local communities.
Visitor attractions
This includes all of Scotland's attractions that warmly welcome visitors.
Communities
Those working in partnership and collaborations within Scotland's communities.
Events
These include cultural events and festivals, business events and more.
There are 14 regional and three national categories in this year’s programme. Each celebrates the best in tourism and those providing outstanding visitor experiences.
We've once again secured a media partnership with News Scotland for the 2023 awards. News Scotland are publishers of The Times, The Sunday Times and The Scottish Sun.
This partnership will raise the profile of the Scottish Thistle Awards through print and online content. This boosts the profile of the awards, the winners and nominees and encourages businesses to enter.
Press activity from this partnership will appear in a range of publications. This will include Alba, Times Scotland, the Sunday Times and the Scottish Sun. This creates many opportunities to celebrate award participants up to, and including, the awards nights.
We deliver these awards in partnership with regional award programmes who bring this event to life in each corner of Scotland.
Find out more about each regional partner event.
