FOUR Borders businesses are up for national awards next month.

At the Lothian and Borders regional Thistle Awards ceremony in November 2019, Rutherfords Micropub, Kelso, Kingsmuir House, Peebles, Ride Scottish Borders, and Wildtree Adventures, Melrose, all walked away with the top trophies in their categories.

Their wins meant they were automatically entered as finalists in the national awards ceremony in March.

In the 2019 regional awards, Rutherfords Micropub were awarded the Best Bar/Pub.

Debbie Rutherford told us: "We are really thrilled to be invited to attend this event and we look forward to catching up with the other Borders finalists Kingsmuir House, Ride Scottish Borders and Wild Tree Adventures.

"It's great to be flying the flag for the Borders at such a huge competition involving the whole country.

"It says a lot for the Borders to be represented by four businesses in the finals."

Kingsmuir House won the regional award for the most hospitable B&B/Guest House.

Owners, Malcolm and Karen Mullarkey, said: "We were delighted when Kingsmuir House was selected as the Winner for Lothian & Borders regional finals. This an exceptional achievement making me so proud of the quality, attention to detail and the continued customer service we provide to all of our guests has been recognised once again."

Winners of the regional Working Together for Tourism award was Ride Scottish Borders.

Ride Scottish Borders project coordinator, Gowan Miller, said: "Winning this award has been thanks to a tourism collective of very talented & dedicated individuals and businesses. From our funders & stakeholders through to the accommodation providers and associated services. All have one drive and that is to get the Scottish Borders recognised as the premier equestrian destination in the UK."

Wildtree Adventures received the regional Best Outdoor Adventure Experience award.

Director of Wild Tree Adventures, Tim Chamberlain, said: "We are honoured and delighted to be recognised in these awards, thank you! Over the last two years we’ve helped hundreds of people to adventure high into the canopy of amazing trees. All have discovered something of the magic of up there. We look forward to a fabulous 2020!"

The national ceremony will be held in Edinburgh on Thursday, March 5, where the Borders winners will face competition from around Scotland.

For a full list of the 2019/2020 finalists, visit www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk/national-finalists1920/