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ASVA Members make the Thistle Awards Shortlist
Added: 16 Jul 2025
Scottish Attractions Shine at Thistle Awards with 34 Shortlistings
The shortlist for this year’s Scottish Thistle Awards has been announced. ASVA members have received 34 shortlistings, awarded to 24 attractions and individuals across all five regions, marking an increase on last year’s already impressive performance.
This year’s shortlist highlights the depth and breadth of excellence within Scotland’s visitor attraction sector. Shortlisted entries span a diverse range of categories including Community Tourism and Events, Outdoors and Adventure, Visitor Attraction of the Year, Climate Action, Employer of the Year, Innovation, and Inclusion, as well as Rising Star and Self-Catering Accommodation. The strong showing comes as we roll out our new Quality Scheme, designed to help attractions across the country reach their full potential and further enhance the visitor experience. The initiative reflects the sector’s ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability, and world-class service. Congratulations and good luck to all ASVA members who have made the shortlist.
ASVA Members on the Shortlist:
Radical Weavers – Best Community Tourism and Events Initiative
The Steamship Sir Walter Scott Ltd. – Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience
Edinburgh Zoo The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland – Best Visitor Attraction
The Helix Falkirk Council Scottish Canals – Best Visitor Attraction
The Real Mary King’s Close – Best Visitor Attraction
Edinburgh Zoo – Climate Action Award
Rosslyn Chapel – Climate Action Award
The Real Mary King’s Close – Employer of the Year
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions – Inclusion Award
Steamship Sir Walter Scott – Inclusion Award
Paul Nixon – Individual of the Year
HMS Unicorn – Innovation Award
The Kelpie Experience (Ross McMillan) – Innovation Award
Megan Sherdley – Rising Star Award
Mackintosh at the Willow – Best Community and Events Initiative
Sea Life Loch Lomond – Best Self-Catering or Unique Stay
The Tall Ship Glenlee – Best Visitor Attraction
Tennent’s Visitor Centre – Best Visitor Attraction
Glengoyne Distillery – Climate Action Award
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum – Climate Action Award
SEA LIFE Loch Lomond – Climate Action Award
Sea Life Loch Lomond – Employer of the Year
The Burrell Collection – Inclusion Award
Glasgow Life Museums – Innovation Award
The Gordon Highlanders Museum – Best Community Tourism & Events Initiative
Grampian Transport Museum Trust – Best Visitor Attraction
Glen Garioch Distillery – Best Visitor Attraction
Highland Wildlife Park – Best Visitor Attraction
High Life Highland Inverness Botanic Garden – Best Visitor Attraction & Climate Action Award
National Trust for Scotland Robert Smail’s Print Works – Best Visitor Attraction
Trimontium Museum Thania Meneses Flores – Best Visitor Attraction & Innovation Award
The Great Tapestry of Scotland – Inclusion Award
The Steamship Sir Walter Scott Ltd. – Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience
Edinburgh Zoo The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland – Best Visitor Attraction
The Helix Falkirk Council Scottish Canals – Best Visitor Attraction
The Real Mary King’s Close – Best Visitor Attraction
Edinburgh Zoo – Climate Action Award
Rosslyn Chapel – Climate Action Award
The Real Mary King’s Close – Employer of the Year
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions – Inclusion Award
Steamship Sir Walter Scott – Inclusion Award
Paul Nixon – Individual of the Year
HMS Unicorn – Innovation Award
The Kelpie Experience (Ross McMillan) – Innovation Award
Megan Sherdley – Rising Star Award
Mackintosh at the Willow – Best Community and Events Initiative
Sea Life Loch Lomond – Best Self-Catering or Unique Stay
The Tall Ship Glenlee – Best Visitor Attraction
Tennent’s Visitor Centre – Best Visitor Attraction
Glengoyne Distillery – Climate Action Award
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum – Climate Action Award
SEA LIFE Loch Lomond – Climate Action Award
Sea Life Loch Lomond – Employer of the Year
The Burrell Collection – Inclusion Award
Glasgow Life Museums – Innovation Award
The Gordon Highlanders Museum – Best Community Tourism & Events Initiative
Grampian Transport Museum Trust – Best Visitor Attraction
Glen Garioch Distillery – Best Visitor Attraction
Highland Wildlife Park – Best Visitor Attraction
High Life Highland Inverness Botanic Garden – Best Visitor Attraction & Climate Action Award
National Trust for Scotland Robert Smail’s Print Works – Best Visitor Attraction
Trimontium Museum Thania Meneses Flores – Best Visitor Attraction & Innovation Award
The Great Tapestry of Scotland – Inclusion Award
To see the full shortlist for all categories, head to the Scottish Thistle Awards website.