Shortlist revealed for fourth South of Scotland Thistle Awards
The South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) has unveiled the shortlist for the 2026 South of Scotland Thistle Awards sponsored by Shortridge.
The event - which we are once again supporting - celebrates the region’s outstanding tourism businesses, events, and individuals committed to delivering exceptional visitor experiences.
40 finalists in 15 categories
- This year, there are 40 finalists across 15 categories, demonstrating the ongoing strength and ambition of the region’s visitor economy.
- With 18 finalists from the Scottish Borders and 22 finalists from Dumfries & Galloway, this year’s shortlist highlights the strength of applicants from as far east as Coldingham, all the way to Portpatrick in the southwest.
- Remarkably, 20 of these have made it onto the shortlist for the first time, highlighting a diverse mix of fresh talent and renewed commitment to excellence in the South of Scotland.
When is the Awards night and can I attend?
The 2026 South of Scotland Thistle Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 8 October at Peebles Hydro in the Tweed Valley, bringing together the region’s tourism champions to celebrate their success.
Tickets are now available to join the event on the South of Scotland Destination Alliance’s website.
Winners will progress to the national Scottish Thistle Awards final later in the year, aiming to earn Scotland-wide recognition.
The full South of Scotland Thistle Awards shortlist, by category:
Best Accommodation or Unique Stay:
• Airhouses, Lauder
• Black Bull Inn, Duns
• Braeview Escapes, Coldingham
Best Bar or Pub:
• Millar's L'Atelier Du Vin, Kirkcudbright
• Teeroom Bar Kippford, Kippford
• The Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn
Best Community Tourism & Events Experience:
• Burns Light, Dumfries
• Creation Mill, Langholm
• Hike & Bike Hub, Galashiels
Best Eating Experience, sponsored by 3b Construction
• 1610 at The Globe Inn, Dumfries
• Ernespie Farm Shop & Kitchen, Castle Douglas
• Oakhill Café & Deli, Carsluith
Best Hotel, sponsored by Shortridge Limited
• The Cairndale Hotel and Spa, Dumfries
• Knockinaam Lodge, Portpatrick
• SCHLOSS Roxburghe, Kelso
Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience
• Eat, Sleep, Ride, Lamberton
• Mostly Ghostly, Thornhill
• Wild Dook Sauna, Lochmaben
Best Self Catering or Exclusive Use
• Airhouses, Lauder
• Dod Mill, Lauder
• The Green House Cabin, Ettrickbridge
• Orroland Holiday Cottages, Kirkcudbright
Best Visitor Attraction
• Abbotsford - The Historic Home of Sir Walter Scott, Melrose
• Lochcarron of Scotland, Selkirk
• The Whithorn Trust, Whithorn
Climate Action Award, sponsored by Historic Environment Scotland
• Dod Mill, Lauder
• Faldonside Eco LLP, Melrose
• The Green House Cabin, Ettrickbridge
Employer of the Year
• Dunskey Estate, Portpatrick
Inclusion Award
• Airhouses, Lauder
• Coldingham Brave Bayers CIC, Coldingham
Individual of the Year
• Romano Petrucci, Central Cafe and Stranraer Development Trust
Innovation Award
• Cairndale Hotel and Spa, Dumfries
• Cedar Hus Sauna, Melrose
Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival, sponsored by Scottish Borders Council
• DunsPlayFest, Duns
• Northern Lights, Dumfries
• Wigtown Book Festival, Wigtown
Rising Star Award, sponsored by HIT Scotland
• Lewis Graham, Feast Café, Portobello and Kirk Coo Brew
• Zoey Darnbrough, Annandale Distillery Group
• John Picken, Domes by the Sea Ltd
Angela Crow, Owner of Hike & Bike Hub CIC in Galashiels, one of the finalists for Best Community Tourism & Events Experience said:
“We applied to highlight the efforts of the volunteers who share their time, knowledge and passion for Galashiels and the Scottish Borders.
"Being shortlisted is a fantastic honour and will help keep our area in the spotlight as a "go to" destination in the South of Scotland.”
Julie Clanahan, Owner of the Teeroom Bar Kippford, a finalist for Best Bar or Pub said:
“I applied for the Scottish Thistle Awards to highlight our passion, commitment and hard work behind the Teeroom Bar and its place at the heart of our community.
"Being shortlisted is truly amazing. It reflects our own commitment, customers’ support, and means everything to represent our local area.”
Lewis Graham of Feast Café, Portobello and Kirk Coo Brew in Kirkcudbright, one of the finalists for Rising Star, said:
"To be shortlisted is testament to our hard work in making three special businesses come to life.
"I lead a team and a community of rising stars and cannot wait to show Scotland what we can do."
David Hope-Jones OBE, Chief Executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance, said:
"The quality of this year's finalists is hugely exciting and reflects the confidence, creativity and professionalism that exists across the South of Scotland's visitor economy.
"From some of our longest-established tourism businesses to exciting new ventures, every finalist has demonstrated a real commitment to delivering outstanding visitor experiences.
What particularly stands out this year is that half of our finalists are taking part for the first time.
"That shows these awards are reaching more businesses than ever before and encouraging organisations of every size to benchmark themselves against the very best."
Russel Griggs, Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise, said:
"Tourism is one of the South of Scotland's most important economic assets, creating jobs, supporting communities and attracting investment across our region.
“This year's finalists showcase the ambition, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that are helping to grow our visitor economy while strengthening the South of Scotland's reputation as a world-class destination to visit and an outstanding place to live, work and invest.
“I congratulate all those who have been shortlisted and wish them every success at the awards and beyond."
Gordon Smith, VisitScotland Destination Development Director said:
“It is fantastic to see such continued support for the South of Scotland Thistle Awards.
“Being recognised at this level reflects the excellent work taking place across the industry, highlighting the quality, diversity and vibrancy of the South of Scotland’s offering.
“Tourism and events play an important role in our communities, and the shortlist provides an opportunity to recognise the contribution the sector makes to people, places and the economy. I wish all of the finalists the best of luck at the regional final.”
Susan Peat, Operations Director at Shortridge said:
“Shortridge is incredibly proud to support the South of Scotland Thistle Awards as this year’s Headline Sponsor and sponsor of the award for ‘Best Hotel’.
“As a laundry and textile rental provider servicing hospitality venues across the South of Scotland, we applaud the role that exceptional hospitality experiences play in attracting visitors and growing the local economy."