Scottish Thistle Awards 2026 - Entries now open for businesses

The search is now on to find this year’s tourism and events heroes, as entries open for the 2026 Scottish Thistle Awards. These awards are Scotland’s national celebration of excellence across our industry. They recognise the people, places and experiences that make Scotland such a special destination — and this includes the outstanding work delivered every day by businesses here in Fife.

Fife’s tourism and hospitality sector continues to grow in strength, creativity and resilience. From family‑run cafés and independent shops to visitor attractions, accommodation providers, outdoor activity operators and event organisers, the Kingdom has an incredible range of businesses making a real impact on the visitor experience. The Scottish Thistle Awards offer a chance for these businesses to showcase their achievements, celebrate their teams and gain recognition on a regional and national stage.

Businesses can now officially enter to be recognised across 19 different categories, which highlight excellence in customer service, food and drink, innovation, accommodation, outdoor experiences, sustainability, events and more. If your business has introduced something new, invested in your team, delivered great visitor experiences or contributed positively to your local community, this is a valuable opportunity to share that story.

The awards have become a key annual event for our sector, celebrating excellence, collaboration and innovation across Scotland. Delivered by VisitScotland in partnership with regional award programmes, the Scottish Thistle Awards bring together five regional awards, followed by a national final where winners from across the country come together to celebrate the very best in tourism and events.

We encourage tourism and hospitality businesses across Fife to get involved and put themselves forward. Entry is free and straightforward, and it’s a great way to highlight your hard work and achievements.

Entries close on 27 April.
To take part and enter for free, visit: www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk