A MELROSE guesthouse has been voted the best in south-east of Scotland.

The luxurious Fauhope House Bed and Breakfast scooped the regional Scottish Thistle Award at the weekend.

Ian and Sheila Robson will now fly the flag for the area at the national finals in Glasgow next year.

Sheila told the Border Telegraph: “I am absolutely delighted to accept this award for Fauhope House Bed and Breakfast and I am glad that the hard work of my family, gardener and housekeepers has been recognised by such a prestigious organisation.

“At Fauhope House we strive for excellence on a daily basis and I feel very proud that the business is being honoured in this way. The tourism industry in Scotland has never been stronger and I am always grateful to each and every guest we have for choosing to spend a night or two at Fauhope. “It is an exciting business to be in and this award is the icing on the cake for what has now been 20 years of hard but rewarding work.” The accolades recognise those at the front line of Scotland’s hospitality reputation and businesses who have led the way to deliver the warmest service and the best customer care.

For the first time in its 22 year history, the Scottish Thistle Awards are led by a panel of industry experts from several organisations including VisitScotland, the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland and the Scottish Tourism Alliance.

There has been double success for the Scottish Borders after Willie MacLeod from Peebles received the Ambassador Award following his involvement in the tourism and hospitality industries.

The two winners will now go on the fly the flag for the region in their respective categories at the glittering national finals in March.

A total of 670 businesses were nominated for Scottish Thistle Awards in 2014 with 555 businesses entering the regional heats.

A panel, comprising of some of the most senior figures in Scottish tourism as well as tourism ambassadors such as Nick Nairn, Martin Wishart, television presenter Kaye Adams and the man behind T-in-the-Park Geoff Ellis, were responsible for determining the winners in each category.

Paula MacDonald, VisitScotland Regional Director, added: “It’s fantastic to see that the Scottish Borders will be represented, not once but twice at the national Scottish Thistle Awards final in March.” “The Scottish Borders is renowned for its natural beauty as well as its links to literacy but it is also a fantastic place to experience our famous Scottish welcome, Fauhope Country House is testament to that!”