Fraser and LETi Chair Kim Proven with trophy sponsor's from GeoTourist, picking up the Scottish Thistle Award for Innovation In Tourism - BLiSS trail. Photo by Chris Watt If you think we were excited picking up the regional Scottish Thistle Award trophy for BLiSS trail in 2017, imagine our shock and delight when Visit Scotland announced our local tourism group as the Scottish national winner in March 2018 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre!
Kim Proven Chair of Loch Earn Tourism Information (LETi) at the Scottish Thistle Awards
LETi (Loch Earn Tourism Information representing Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St Fillans tourism businesses) was crowned winner of the "Innovation In Tourism" category in the National grand final of the Visit Scotland, Scottish Thistle Awards. The trophy was presented by the couple in the photo above, representing sponsors Geotourist.
The Scottish Thistle Award finals are referred to in the industry as the "Tourism Oscars". I am delighted that our four village tourism business group was able to compete on the big stage with larger companies and organisations who have healthy marketing budgets and dedicated experts working full time. We represented Central (and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park) and emerged as winners amongst entrants from Fife, Tayside. Lothians, Borders, West, Highlands and Islands, Aberdeen City, and Aberdeenshire.
The Scottish Thistle Award finals are referred to in the industry as the "Tourism Oscars". I am delighted that our four village tourism business group was able to compete on the big stage with larger companies and organisations who have healthy marketing budgets and dedicated experts working full time. We represented Central (and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park) and emerged as winners amongst entrants from Fife, Tayside. Lothians, Borders, West, Highlands and Islands, Aberdeen City, and Aberdeenshire.
 Ewen Westies of Craggan by Kev Paxton, Craggan Rd, St Angus Church Lochearnhead |  Drover's Bho by Kev Paxton, with Strathyre Primary School children on Sustrans NCR7, Strathyre |
The LETi group delivered three new sculptures to the Scottish regional and now, national award winning BLiSS trail during 2017 Year of History Heritage and Archaeology ( #HHA2017 ) - while securing the fun roadside art and architectural trail as a permanent attraction all year round.
Two of the sculptures Drover's Bho and Ewen Westies of Craggan were made by TV personality artist blacksmith Kev Paxton paid for with a Sustrans Scotland ArtRoots grant.
The sculptures mark the entrance to National Cycle Route 7 in Strathyre and Lochearnhead and it is possible to cycle from one to the other passing the BLiSS trail "Cockerel" Mile Marker by Iain McColl, on route.
Drover's Bho is a steel cow sculpture acknowledging the hard working drovers who gathered in Strathyre on their way to the Falkirk Tryst.
"Ewen Westies of Craggan" is named after a local tourism hero - Ewen Cameron OBE - who kick started water sports on Loch Earn in 1955, revived the BLS Highland games in Lochearnhead and so much more. The west highland terrier dog sculpture also marks Sustrans Cycle Route 7 from the grounds of St Angus Church in the Craggan Road where they were once bred by the honorable Torfreda Rollo (sister of Lady MacGregor of MacGregor) in Lochearnhead.
Two of the sculptures Drover's Bho and Ewen Westies of Craggan were made by TV personality artist blacksmith Kev Paxton paid for with a Sustrans Scotland ArtRoots grant.
The sculptures mark the entrance to National Cycle Route 7 in Strathyre and Lochearnhead and it is possible to cycle from one to the other passing the BLiSS trail "Cockerel" Mile Marker by Iain McColl, on route.
Drover's Bho is a steel cow sculpture acknowledging the hard working drovers who gathered in Strathyre on their way to the Falkirk Tryst.
"Ewen Westies of Craggan" is named after a local tourism hero - Ewen Cameron OBE - who kick started water sports on Loch Earn in 1955, revived the BLS Highland games in Lochearnhead and so much more. The west highland terrier dog sculpture also marks Sustrans Cycle Route 7 from the grounds of St Angus Church in the Craggan Road where they were once bred by the honorable Torfreda Rollo (sister of Lady MacGregor of MacGregor) in Lochearnhead.
 The Three Sisters by Perth College UHI students  Artists Miami and Shayna |  The Three Sisters, Lochearnhead |
The third sculpture to be added as a permanent attraction in #HHA2017 is The Three Sisters by Perth College UHI art students; Miami Mohsin, Shayna MacLean and Amy Butler. A larger than life steel fishing rod can be seen at Lochside Cottages jetty in Lochearnhead, with three fish hanging from it. The fish were crafted using clan tartans, MacGregor, McLaren and Cameron of Lochiel as well as professionally turned wooden heads, fins and tails with Celtic Carving. You can see the current list of 23 installation in the BLiSS trail slide show and follow the trail on the BLiSS trail art map
LETi finished the themed year by launching the BLiSS history map full of interesting facts surrounding the four villages in its constitution
LETi finished the themed year by launching the BLiSS history map full of interesting facts surrounding the four villages in its constitution
Fraser + Kim Collect the LETi trophy for BLiSS trail This year marked 25 years of the Scottish Thistle Awards for Tourism achievements #Thistles25. The evening was fantastic. Expertly hosted by ex Miss Scotland and STV host Jennifer Reoch alongside Still Game and River City star and funny man Sanjeev Singh Kohli.
Lovely singer and BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2018 Hannah Rarity kick started the entertainment. Ventriloquist and comedian Paul Zerdin, winner of America’s Got Talent 2015 was brilliant with his suitably cheeky co-star puppet pal.
Paul Zerdin Ventriloquist
Fraser and Kim at the Visit Scotland #Thistles25 + sponsors photobooth for winners - photo copyright Chris Watt Photography
 Innovation In Tourism |  LETi Chair Kim with the Innovation trophy  Geotourist Innovation In Tourism #Thistles25  Fun on the Fishers Laundry Truck |
The Scottish Thistle Awards main sponsor was full of fun. We had photos taken in the Fishers Laundry Truck photo booth. The laundry company also gifted all tables with "Thistle" a green dog with ears, sunglasses and a purple tartan bow. (Don't tell Thistle he's really a facecloth!) They challenged us with a Twitter competition to take a selfie with Thistle. Fraser and I have put in the following entries if you want to RT @Briarcottages
 How many "Thistle" heads can you see? #Thsitles25 @FishersLaundry |  Coo-l Coo's News Thistle @FishersLaundry with Fraser @BriarCottages and Brunas the @CrazyColor coo |
We could not have shared a flavour of the awards without the assistance of the official photographer Chris Watt He quietly worked the room to record the event on behalf of Visit Scotland. Have a look at Chris Watt Photography, his commissions, portfolio, awards, accolades and achievements. Simply Amaaaazing and he is charming too.
Sanjeev Kohli, Kim + Fraser Proven, Geotourist team and Jennifer Reoch - photo copyright Chris Watt
We won!!! Scottish Thistle Awards 2017/2018 copyright Chris Watt
Have a read at this lovely letter from Malcolm Roughead OBE, Chief Executive of Visit Scotland.
...and another letter of congratulations from Fiona Hyslop MSP -Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs
Another lovely letter, this time from Roseanna Cunningham MSP
Finally, have a look at this delightful drawing of me and the Scottish Thistle Award Trophy by "JoSunshineArt". Jo is a visually impaired artist who records moments in history as they happen in Scotland and sometimes further afield. She is constantly drawing people, animals, nature buildings and events from every day life around her in Glasgow and in the the news. Jo draws in bright colours on a large A1 scale. She always manages to create lovely compositions with warmth, playful characters and plenty of #ScotSpirit humour. Jo can not actually see! All she sees is a misty blur in one eye. Find out more about Jo on Twitter @JoSunshineArt or read this about the wonderful Jo Adamson.
Kim with the Scottish Thistle Awards Trophy, by Jo Adamson
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