The birthplace of Robert Burns, an air show, a farm, an island resort, and a tourism champion have been crowned Ayrshire and Arran’s best at Scotland’s top tourism and events industry awards
Winners of the West Scottish Thistle Award regional final 2025(Image: Connor Mollison/VisitScotland)
Five businesses and individuals from Ayrshire received awards at the West of Scotland Thistle Awards regional final at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow last night.
For over 30 years, the Scottish Thistle Awards, this year with new headline sponsor Abbey: The Destination Experts, have showcased individual businesses, people and partnership working.
Delivered by VisitScotland, in partnership with regional awards programmes, the Scottish Thistle Awards combines five regional awards and a national final.
Caroline Smith and Gavin Pettigrew from Robert Burns Birthplace Museum with award host Garry Spence and Sarah Muir from headline sponsor, Abbey – The Destination Experts (Image: Connor Mollison/VisitScotland )
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway won the Climate Action Award, which celebrates businesses making significant progress towards net zero.
Judges praised how the team are balancing the historic attraction’s conservation with low carbon technologies, as well as powerful storytelling around their climate strategy – the connection between natural and build heritage landscape and Scotland’s national poet.
Gavin Pettigrew, Facilities Manager, said: “We are honoured to be recognised for our commitment to climate action.
“As the birthplace of Robert Burns, whose work celebrates Scotland’s natural beauty, we are proud to carry forward his legacy by actively protecting our environment for future generations.
“This award is a testament to the hard work of our team in embedding sustainability into everything we do.”
Bellevue Farm owner Ailsa Currie and the team, with award host Garry Spence and Rob Dickson from VisitScotland(Image: Connor Mollison/VisitScotland)
Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience sponsored by Get Your Guide was awarded to Bellevue Farm’s Arran Tours and Experiences.
Bellevue Farm is a sixth and seventh generation working family farm on the west of the Isle of Arran.
They offer farm tours and experiences that enable both locals and visitors to immerse themselves in farm life. They can meet and feed animals: including goats, alpacas, highland cows and chickens.
Judges singled out Bellevue as an excellent regional champion for agritourism and praised their passion and enthusiasm for the Isle of Arran and its community.
Owner Ailsa Currie said: “It is such an honour to win the Scottish Thistle Award for Best Outdoor Experience.
“Our team works incredibly hard to make sure that every visitor, whatever their age, enjoys the very best that our farm offers and leaves knowing a little more about life on a working Island farm.
“We are thrilled that our efforts have been recognised as something special.”
Award host Garry Spence, Garrie Ross from Auchrannie Resort, and Barbara Smith from VisitScotland(Image: Connor Mollison/VisitScotland)
The Isle of Arran scored two more wins with Auchrannie Resort winning Employer of the Year and Shelia Gilmore, chief executive of destination management organisation (DMO) VisitArran, crowned Individual of the Year.
Auchrannie consists of two hotels, 30 lodges, 14 luxury retreats and a motorhome stopover. The accommodation is complemented by two restaurants and three bars, extensive leisure facilities, spa and adventure centre.
Judges thought the resort demonstrates an outstanding commitment to the wellbeing, development and long-term future of their employees. The panel was impressed by the strong, values-led culture, underpinned by employee ownership, which gives staff a genuine sense of pride and belonging.
Individual of the Year Sheila Gilmore from VisitArran with award host Garry Spence and VisitScotland Chair Stephen Leckie(Image: Connor Mollison/VisitScotland)
Kate Aitken, HR Director, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be named Best Employer at the West of Scotland Thistle Awards.
“This honour reflects the dedication, passion, and spirit of the amazing team at Auchrannie. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and this award very much recognises that.”
Shelia Gilmore has been with VisitArran since 2012 and through her work, the DMO now has over 250 businesses and community groups involved as partners. She is also Chair of the newly accredited Arran UNESCO Global Geopark, Secretary of Brodick Highland Games, and the Community Strand lead on the Arran Island Plan Steering Group.
She said: “I am overwhelmed to be nominated, let alone win. It is such an honour to be considered alongside such respected professionals. To win the Tourism Individual of the Year is not just for me, but for all my Arran colleagues too – I am absolutely over the moon.”
Award host Garry Spence, the team from South Ayrshire Council, and Gemma Mair from category sponsor, The Scottish Sun(Image: Connor Mollison/VisitScotland)
And The International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight run by South Ayrshire Council won the Best Community Tourism and Events Initiative award, sponsored by The Scottish Sun.
The event, which involved collaboration with 20 partners, attracted over 260,000 visitors, and featured 27 aerial displays, a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Zone and a Festival Village with over 100 stalls.
The airshow aimed to unite residents, visitors and local businesses in celebrating Scotland’s aviation legacy, while driving economic and social benefits to the region.
Judges were impressed by the scale and ambitions of this event, not just as an economic and tourism driver. They highlighted that while it is clearly a spectacle for visitors and locals alike, it also has an equal focus on promoting and supporting Prestwick’s aerospace industry and career opportunities.
Jane Bradley, South Ayrshire Council Director of Communities and Transformation: said: “It’s an honour to have been recognised by the Scottish Thistle Awards, and we’re very proud of the success of our airshow. This was the largest free public event in Scotland and the only airshow in the country, putting South Ayrshire on the map as a destination for aviation lovers and tourists alike.”
VisitScotland Regional Director Lynsey Eckford said: “A huge well done to all our regional winners for this amazing achievement.
“Having such strong representation from across Ayrshire and Arran highlights the quality found across the region.
“Being recognised by the Scottish Thistle Awards, means tourism businesses are considered some of the best in the country. The awards help to ensure that tourism, and the individuals who work in the industry, are praised for the positive impact they bring to the country and our communities.
“I wish everyone the best of luck for the national final in November.”
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