The Murray family has enjoyed many special occasions at the hotel
ANDY Murray’s hotel has won hotel of the year at a ceremony celebrating the country’s finest pubs, restaurants and tourists attractions.
Cromlix near Dunblane, Stirling, scooped the prestigious gong at the Scottish Thistle Awards.
Andy and Kim Murray, who own the hotel, got married there in 2015
It was among 18 businesses and individuals honoured at the national event at the Hilton in Glasgow last night.
The Victorian country mansion was bought by the tennis ace and his wife Kim in 2013.
They tied the knot at Cromlix two years later and Andy’s grandparents, Roy and Shirley Erskine, celebrated their silver, golden and diamond wedding anniversaries there.
The Murray family has also hosted blessings, birthdays and two other weddings at the hotel.
The five-star premises is set among 34 acres of woodland and landscaped gardens, with its own chapel and lochan.
After a largescale refurbishment, Cromlix opened in March this year and last night it was named winner of the best hotel experience award.
Other winners included The Cross Keys Inn in Ettrickbridge, Scottish Borders in the best pub or bar category.
Edinbane Lodge on the Isle of Skye picked up the best eating experience award.
Arden Holiday Cottage near Dumfries was named best self-catering accommodation.
The Burrell Collection in Pollok Country Park in Glasgow was named as the best visitor attraction.
Other national winners included Glasgow Science Centre in the inclusive tourism category, Rediscovering the Antonine Wall in the thriving communities category, Edinburgh’s Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions in the Innovation in tourism category, and The World Congress of Soil Science lifted the best business event award for the delivery of the congress at the SEC last year.
And Sea Life in Loch Lomond won the inaugural tourism and hospitality employer of the year award.
Wilma and David Finlay received the silver thistle award for their outstanding contribution to tourism over many years.
The couple are partners in the family-run Rainton Farm in Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway – home of The Ethical Dairy.
The couple also built up a successful food product range and visitor attraction at Cream o’ Galloway, that they recently retired from and sold.
Wilderness Scotland, based in Aviemore, Highlands, won the inaugural climate action award and the best outdoor or adventure experience award.
Self-catering Airhouses, near Oxton, Scottish Borders, received the best luxury experience award.
It sleeps 32 guests within one large house, two glamping pods and four lodges.
The Genesis Scottish Open, which took place at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, East Lothian, in 2022 received the award for outstanding sporting event.
While the nearby not-for-profit ten-day multi-arts festival Fringe by the Sea – established in 2008 – was crowned outstanding cultural event or festival.
Melanie Allen took home the tourism individual of the year award, in recognition of the positive impact she has made on the visitor experience at a regional and national level in Scotland.
Melanie, owner of Nithbank Country Estate in Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway alongside her husband John, was also named winner of the Best B&B or guest house experience.
Around 400 guests attended last night’s ceremony which was hosted by TV presenter Jennifer Reoch and broadcaster Gary Innes with entertainment by Cammy Barnes.
Steven Walker, chair of the Scottish Thistle Awards industry panel, said: “The Scottish Thistle Awards mark an important celebration of the very best of our tourism and events industry and the positive impacts the industry brings to Scotland.
“Whether it quality food and drink, thrilling adventure activities, or friendly and welcoming faces, the Scottish Thistle Awards celebrate all aspects of what makes Scotland a fantastic place to visit.
“Congratulations to this year’s winners, each demonstrating innovation, collaboration and sustainable practices and supporting the ambition of the national tourism strategy, Outlook 2030, for Scotland to be a world leader in 21 st century tourism.”