Scotland’s best pub named at annual ‘tourism Oscars’ as top venues battle it out

A COSY pub has been crowned Scotland’s best at the annual ‘tourism Oscars’ for the second year running.

The Scottish Thistle Awards were held at a glitzy ceremony at the Hilton in Glasgow last night.

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The awards celebrate the best of the country’s accommodation sector, food and drink, outdoor experiences and visitor attractions.

A total of 19 gongs were presented across 15 regional categories, three national categories and the special Silver Thistle Award.

And The Cross Keys Inn, in Ettrickbridge, Scottish Borders, scooped the Best Pub or Bar award, sponsored by SLTA.

The historic coaching inn reopened in 2023, and was restored ‘back to its glory days’ after a major investment.

It delights locals and visitors with traditional meals, comfortable and welcoming accommodation, and a range of drinks led by local beers and ales.

This award is the pub’s second consecutive national win in the Best Bar or Pub category, having been previous winners last year.

Giving their verdict, the Thistle Awards judges said: “The Inn has shown real commitment to developing the business with new ventures including the addition of a new beer garden and outdoor pizza oven facility which has more than doubled the capacity for dining in the peak summer months with the aim of attracting a different market of visitors that are staying in the area.

“The collaboration with local cycle guides to develop various cycle routes starting and finishing from Ettrickbridge with the intention of promoting the area as a destination are commendable.

“This level of hospitality is also extended to the local community where they play an integral part in hosting a range of community-led events and fully embrace the community history with a book to celebrate village life in the planning.”

Elsewhere, the Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa in Dundee scooped the Best Hotel Experience gong.

The four-star hotel is one of 10 in the UK owned by Apex Hotels, founded by Scottish entrepreneur and hotelier Norman Springford in 1996.

The hotel has been in operation for 20 years and has 151 spacious rooms and stylish suites, a spa, pool and gym.

Their Quayside Bar and Grill, was recently voted the most instagrammable restaurant in Scotland by Dojo.

The Globe Inn in Dumfries, known for its links to Robert Burns, won Best Eating Experience.

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Its 1610 restaurant prides itself on its Anglo-Scottish roots and Michelin kitchen experience.

The Scotch Whisky Experience, beside Edinburgh Castle, was crowned the Best Visitor Attraction.

It welcomes 400,000 visitors each year to its multi-lingual guided tours, tutored whisky tastings and award-winning Amber restaurant.

The judges said: “This entry demonstrated exceptional achievements across the board, professional delivery and benchmarking, passionate development of staff.”

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Dundonald in South Ayrshire won the Celebrating Thriving Communities Award, sponsored by The Scottish Sun.

Dundonald Castle and Visitor Centre, incorporated as
Friends of Dundonald Castle since 2001, is a highly-rated and award- winning community-led tourism charity.

Over 25,000 visitors are welcomed annually to the hub which facilitates relationships between locals, community groups, and visitors.

It’s successful Community Heritage and Education Programme was established in 2017.

The Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience going was awarded to the Nevis Range near Fort William.

The Wigtown Book Festival won Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival.

The festival offers a ten-day celebration of literature featuring author talks, workshops, and discussions that attract both local and international audiences.

Trump Turnberry in Girvan, South Ayrshire, was named the Best Luxury Experience.

The famous course has hosted four Open Championships during its illustrious history, including the legendary Duel in the Sun between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson in 1977.

Turnberry has two top 100-ranked links courses, The Ailsa and The King Robert the Bruce, alongside the 9-hole Arran course.

The resort also boasts 198 luxury rooms and suites and a range of cottages and self-catering apartments.

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