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  5. Awards and accreditations

Awards and accreditations

6 minute read • Last published: 25 February 2025

Recognition awards are a great way to celebrate your business and give you further credibility with potential customers. If you’ve reviewed your business, now is the time to nominate yourself for an award, and have your efforts recognised amongst your local industry. 

Scotland's tourism industry is globally renowned for its quality and the dedication of its professionals, offering unforgettable experiences and products. Numerous prestigious awards recognise this excellence and innovation. Putting yourself forward for consideration can enhance your credentials and open doors to new and exciting opportunities that will benefit you and your business. 

In this article:

  • The benefits of winning a recognition award
  • Scottish Thistle Awards
  • SLTN Awards (Scottish Licensed Trade News)
  • ASVA Scottish Attractions Inspiring People Awards
  • Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards
  • Scottish Whisky Awards
  • Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards
  • Inclusive and accessible awards
  • Green certification schemes

The benefits of winning a recognition award

  • Enhanced credibility

    Gives you an enhanced reputation with customers and potential business partners.

  • Increased visibility

    Attracts more customers through additional marketing exposure.

  • Quality benchmarking

    It serves as a mark and recognition of the quality you offer.

  • Celebrate successes

    Boost staff morale by giving them well-deserved recognition of their excellent service and results.

  • Networking opportunities

    Offers the chance to meet industry leaders and peers, leading to potential collaborations.

Scottish Thistle Awards

Group shot at Scottish Thistle Awards

The Scottish Thistle Awards 2024

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

Categories 

  • Best accommodation provider - Recognises exceptional service and quality in accommodation, from hotels to B&Bs.
  • Best cultural event or festival - Awards outstanding contributions to Scotland's cultural landscape through events or festivals. 
  • Best outdoor/adventure experience - Honors top outdoor or adventure activities that enhance Scotland's reputation as a destination for nature lovers. 

Regional categories 

  • Central, Fife & Tayside 
  • Lothian & Borders 
  • Highlands & Islands 
  • Aberdeen City and Shire 
  • Glasgow & Clyde 
  • Ayrshire & Arran 
Enjoying a drink

Bar goers

Industry-specific categories 

  • Best bar/pub - Recognises excellence in offering a high-quality drinking experience, showcasing Scotland’s rich pub culture. 
  • Best visitor attraction - Awards top attractions that provide exceptional visitor experiences and contribute to Scotland’s tourism appeal. 
  • Best Whisky Distillery Experience - Celebrates distilleries that provide outstanding visitor experiences, highlighting the significance of whisky in Scottish culture and tourism. 

Find out more about the Scottish Thistle 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 

  • 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.

Find out more about the SLTN Awards 

ASVA Scottish Attractions Inspiring People Awards

Receptionist

Receptionist

Focuses on celebrating the achievements of individuals and teams who enhance Scotland’s visitor attractions through exceptional service and innovation. 

Categories 

  • Inspiring Manager Award - Recognises outstanding leadership and vision in driving success within visitor attractions. 
  • Inspiring Team Award -  Awards teams that demonstrate exceptional collaboration and commitment to delivering memorable visitor experiences. 
  • Young Inspiration Award - Celebrates young professionals who show remarkable potential and contribution to the attractions sector. 

Find out more about the ASVA Scottish Attractions Inspiring People Awards 

Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards

Chef preparing food

Peebles Hydro Kitchen

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

Categories 

  • 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 

Scottish Whisky Awards

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

Categories 

  • 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 

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards

Whisky being mixed in glasses

Distillery near North Berwick

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 

  • 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 

Inclusive and accessible awards

  • Scottish Thistle Awards - Inclusion Award

    This award celebrates a business who has a developed an outstanding welcome for all customers and provides accessible facilities which can enjoyed by all customers. 

    Find out more about the Inclusion Award.

  • Autism Friendly Award

    The Autism Friendly Award is designed to support customer-facing organisations of all sizes to provide an autism-friendly environment and inclusive customer service.  

    Find out more about the Autism Friendly Award.

  • Blue Badge Access Awards

    Recognising the very best in accessibility for the disabled guest, the Blue Badge aims to reward hotels, restaurants, leisure and tourism venues and people that are getting ‘accessibility with style’ right. 

    Find out more about the Blue Badge Access Awards.

  • The Cateys - Accessibility Award

    Recognising the very best in accessibility for the disabled guest, the Blue Badge aims to reward hotels, restaurants, leisure and tourism venues and people that are getting ‘accessibility with style’ right. 

    Find out more about the Accessibility Award.

Green certification schemes

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.

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