{"id":586674,"date":"2025-11-22T11:31:27","date_gmt":"2025-11-22T11:31:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/586674\/"},"modified":"2025-11-22T11:31:27","modified_gmt":"2025-11-22T11:31:27","slug":"edinburghs-scottish-thistle-awards-national-winners-toast-tourism-triumph-the-nen-north-edinburgh-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/586674\/","title":{"rendered":"Edinburgh\u2019s\u00a0Scottish Thistle Awards\u00a0national\u00a0winners\u00a0toast tourism triumph \u2013 The NEN \u2013 North Edinburgh News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

A life-saving conference, climate conscious zoo, an inspiring festival,\u00a0and a trailblazing up-and-comer\u00a0<\/strong>have been crowned\u00a0Scotland\u2019s\u00a0<\/strong>best at\u00a0the\u00a0country\u2019s\u00a0top tourism and events industry awards.<\/p>\n

Attractions,\u00a0events\u00a0and individuals\u00a0from the city\u00a0received awards at the Scottish\u00a0Thistle Awards\u00a0national\u00a0final at the\u00a0Hilton Glasgow\u00a0last\u00a0night (20 November).<\/p>\n

After triumphing at the\u00a0Central & East Scotland\u00a0Thistle Awards\u00a0last month, finalists competed against their\u00a0peers\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0coveted national trophy\u00a0and\u00a0earning recognition across the country for their excellence in Scotland\u2019s tourism industry.<\/p>\n

For over 30 years, the Scottish Thistle Awards,\u00a0this year with new headline sponsor Abbey: The Destination Experts,\u00a0have\u00a0showcased\u00a0individual businesses, people and partnership working. They have become an annual celebration of excellence,\u00a0collaboration\u00a0and innovation within one of the country\u2019s most important sectors. Past winners credit the awards with boosting their business, increasing\u00a0enquiries\u00a0and inspiring staff.<\/p>\n

Delivered by VisitScotland, in partnership with regional awards programmes, the Scottish Thistle Awards combines five regional awards and a national final.<\/p>\n

National winners\u00a0from across the Capital\u00a0are:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The 36th International Papillomavirus Conference 2024<\/strong>\u00a0at EICC\u00a0which won\u00a0Best Business Event.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The conference\u00a0welcomed over 1,600 delegates from across the globe\u00a0in November 2024. It brought\u00a0world leaders in science and healthcare to Scotland, the event advanced research, innovation, and collaboration in tackling HPV and related cancers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

By raising awareness and boosting vaccination rates in schools and communities, its impact extended far beyond the conference centre. Leaving a legacy that will prevent cancer diagnoses, save lives, and inspire future progress.<\/p>\n

Amanda Wrathall, Chief Executive, EICC,\u00a0said:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cWinning the Best Business Event Award at the\u00a0Scottish\u00a0Thistle Awards is a tremendous honour.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIPVC 2024 in Edinburgh embodied the EICC\u2019s vision of inspiring ideas that change the world, proving that business events can deliver impact well beyond the conference floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy increasing HPV awareness and vaccination uptake, its legacy reaches into communities across the globe, a legacy that will prevent cancer diagnoses and save lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis recognition underlines the transformative role of business events in shaping healthier, stronger futures.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Edinburgh Zoo,\u00a0who took home\u00a0the\u00a0Climate Action Award\u00a0sponsored by Historic Scotland,\u00a0which\u00a0celebrates businesses making\u00a0significant progress\u00a0towards net zero<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Judges praised\u00a0the popular attraction for its environmental sustainability practices and supportive work environment.<\/p>\n

Ben Supple, Deputy Chief Executive, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cEveryone at Edinburgh Zoo is dedicated to protecting nature, tackling climate\u00a0change\u00a0and saving wildlife.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is wonderful that the sustainability activities and innovations at the zoo have been recognised with the climate action award, including the installation of our new solar meadow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Edinburgh International Book Festival\u00a0won the award for\u00a0Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival,\u00a0sponsored by\u00a0STV. The category\u00a0recognises\u00a0the outstanding cultural events and festivals that are part of Scotland\u2019s tourism offering.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is a charity which celebrates and shares the power of writers, their ideas, and the words they craft to illuminate, challenge, and inspire. <\/p>\n

Held in the heart of the city at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, each August it presents almost 700 events featuring writers and thinkers from around the world. <\/p>\n

As well as children and families, young adults, adults, and\u00a0schools\u2019\u00a0programmes, the festival brings writers into community settings such as libraries, hospitals and prisons, and streams events online.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Finally,\u00a0The Rising Star Award,\u00a0sponsored by\u00a0HIT Scotland\u00a0was presented to\u00a0Hugh Mackay\u00a0from\u00a0Highland Experience Tours\u00a0\u2013 based in Edinburgh.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hugh began his career in the tourism industry in 2024. While working with Highland Experience Tours, he has delivered over 200 tours, received more than 150 individual five-star guest reviews, and contributed to a 12% uplift in overall tour ratings for the company. <\/p>\n

He has been praised for his leadership, authenticity, and natural charisma, which has made him a standout ambassador for Scottish tourism and a true rising star.<\/p>\n

Hugh said:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cAs a young man from the far north of Scotland, I\u2019m honoured to be recognised in this moment that reflects my commitment to hospitality and tourism, and my passion for showcasing Scotland\u2019s very best to every guest I have the privilege of welcoming on my tours.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

VisitScotland Regional Director Neil Christison said:<\/strong> \u201cCongratulations to all our national winners on this outstanding achievement.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe strong showing from\u00a0Edinburgh\u00a0is a testament to the exceptional quality and innovation found throughout the\u00a0city\u2019s\u00a0tourism sector.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing\u00a0honoured\u00a0by the Scottish Thistle Awards places these businesses, events and individuals\u00a0among\u00a0the\u00a0very best\u00a0in Scotland. These awards play a vital role in celebrating the\u00a0people\u00a0whose work continues to make a positive impact on our communities and the wider visitor economy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Responsible tourism is at the heart of the Scottish Thistle Awards, supporting the aim for Scotland to be recognised globally as a leader in this field.\u00a0Entrants to all categories must\u00a0evidence\u00a0how they have embraced best practice covering the four key areas of a low carbon economy, inclusivity, thriving communities and Scotland\u2019s natural and cultural heritage.<\/p>\n

National winners\u00a0were announced at a ceremony hosted by\u00a0TV presenter Jennifer Reoch\u00a0and delivered by VisitScotland, with headline sponsors Abbey: The Destination Experts \u2013 part of the Abbey Group, a collection\u00a0of travel companies specialising in inbound tourism to the UK & Ireland.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Winners from all five regional awards, which also include\u00a0Central and East,\u00a0the West\u00a0of Scotland, Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards (HITA),\u00a0the Aberdeen City and Shire Thistle Awards (ACSTA) and the South of Scotland Thistle Awards (delivered in partnership with the South of Scotland Destination Alliance and supported by South of Scotland Enterprise)\u00a0competed\u00a0at the Scottish Thistle Award national\u00a0final.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s sponsors\u00a0are\u00a0AccessAble, Fishers,\u00a0GetYourGuide, Historic Scotland, HIT Scotland,\u00a0Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises, Scottish Licenced Trade Association,\u00a0STV,\u00a0The Times Scotland and the Scottish Sun.<\/p>\n

For a full list of winners, please visit:\u00a0www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

Like this:<\/p>\n

Like Loading…<\/p>\n

\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A life-saving conference, climate conscious zoo, an inspiring festival,\u00a0and a trailblazing up-and-comer\u00a0have been crowned\u00a0Scotland\u2019s\u00a0best at\u00a0the\u00a0country\u2019s\u00a0top tourism and events…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":586675,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8816],"tags":[748,1102,4884,712,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-586674","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-edinburgh","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-edinburgh","10":"tag-great-britain","11":"tag-scotland","12":"tag-uk","13":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115593130325513119","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/586674","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=586674"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/586674\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/586675"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=586674"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=586674"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=586674"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}