Thistle do nicely for property pair

A LUXURY lodge and eco-friendly bothies have been crowned Scotland’s best at Scotland’s top tourism awards. The two Galloway accommodations received awards for Best Luxury Experience and Best Self-catering or Unique Stay at the Scottish Thistle Awards national final last Thursday. Knockinaam Lodge near Portpatrick won best luxury experience. The 19th-century country house hotel on the coast has a historic past as the meeting place of Winston Churchill and General Eisenhower during World War II. Now it boasts ten individually designed bedrooms, fine dining led by head chef Tony Pierce, and a reputation for warm Scottish hospitality. Judges were impressed by the lodge’s exceptional staff training and service standards, strong commitment to sustainability and local sourcing, and its dedication to responsible tourism. Callum McCann, hotel manager, said: “Winning Best Luxury Experience at the Scottish Thistle Awards feels like a recognition of the commitment and professionalism of our entire team. “Every member of staff works hard to deliver exceptional service and memorable stays, and this award highlights their dedication to maintaining the highest standards.” [caption id="attachment_64732" align="aligncenter" width="1016"]

WINNERS . . . Loch Ken Eco Bothies[/caption] Meanwhile, Loch Ken Eco Bothies, near Castle Douglas, scooped best self-catering or unique Stay. This off grid stay, was featured on ‘George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces’, and has gone on to add more bothies that push their eco-friendly goals even further. Judges praised it for delivering an exceptional guest experience, combining strong sustainable practices and local partnerships with innovative ideas that ensure both high-quality service and long-term resilience. Director Heather Hermon said: “We are thrilled to have been able to represent the South of Scotland for this award. There are so many unique and fabulous places to stay in Scotland and we are so proud to have been able to fly the flag for our wonderful part of the world.” Congratulating both winner on their success, VisitScotland destination development director Gordon Smith added: “The strong showing from Dumfries and Galloway is a testament to the exceptional quality and innovation found throughout the region’s tourism sector.”