Awards and accreditations

The Scottish Thistle Awards are among the most recognised in Scotland's tourism industry, celebrating excellence and innovation across different sectors. 

Every autumn, five regional Thistle Awards ceremonies take place.

• Central and East Scotland
• West of Scotland
• Aberdeen City and Shire
• South of Scotland
• Highlands and Islands

Winners from each regional Thistle Awards ceremony progress to the national Scottish Thistle Awards final. At the national final, the overall winner is announced for each award category.

As well as a range of awards for the various accommodation, visitor experience, events, and food and drink sectors, award categories also include:

• Climate Action Award
• Employer of the Year
• Inclusion Award
• Individual of the Year
• Innovation Award
• Rising Star Award

Entries for the regional and national Scottish Thistle Awards are now open and close at 23:59 on 28 April 2025.

Find out more about the Scottish Thistle Awards.

Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards

Celebrates the best of Scotland’s exceptional food and drink scene. 

Categories include:

• Tasted categories - includes fish & seafood, meat, dairy and distilling. 
• Business categories - includes Best of Scottish, Sustainability, and Employer of the Year. 

Find out more about the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.

SLTN Awards (Scottish Licensed Trade News)

These awards recognise the best venues and individuals in Scotland's hospitality industry, with a focus on bars and pubs. 

Categories include:

• Best pub - awards the best overall pub based on atmosphere, service, and beverage selection. 
• Best Bar None Award - recognises bars that excel in operational standards, knowledge, and responsible serving of alcohol.

Entries for the SLTN Awards open on the 2 April and close on 23 May 2025.

Find out more about the SLTN Awards.

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards highlights regional whiskies through a unique customer-driven process. Expert judges initially shortlist entries through blind tastings, followed by global whisky enthusiasts voting at various events, making this the only whisky competition where customers ultimately choose the winners. 

Categories include:

• 12 Years & Under - whiskies in this category are judged for their quality and character among younger spirits. 
• 13 - 17 Years - this category showcases mid-aged whiskies, balancing maturity and the distinct Speyside character. 
• 18 Years & Over - features older whiskies, highlighting depth, complexity, and ageing finesse. 
• Non-Age Statement - focuses on whiskies where age isn't specified, allowing unique blends and innovations to compete. 

Find out more about the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards.

Scottish Whisky Awards

Focuses on celebrating Scotland’s whisky industry, from distillation to hospitality. 

Categories include:

• Whisky Distillery of the Year - recognises the top distillery for overall excellence in production and visitor experience. 
• Whisky Bar of the Year - awards the bar that offers an exceptional whisky drinking experience, including variety, education, and atmosphere. 

Find out more about the Scottish Whisky Awards.

While not awards, green certification schemes underscore a business's commitment to standards of excellence in sustainability and should be celebrated. They highlight a level of environmental stewardship and social responsibility that will make your business stand out from the competition.

EarthCheck - supports the tourism industry in sustainable practices like energy efficiency and waste reduction. It offers guidance and certification that help businesses lower costs and improve their environmental impact.

Learn more about the EarthCheck certification.

Green Key - certifies tourism facilities that meet strict environmental standards, helping them conserve resources and reduce pollution. 

Find out more about Green Key certificate.

Green Tourism - certifies tourism businesses committed to sustainability, focusing on energy saving, waste recycling, and ethical practices. 

Learn more about the Green Key certification.