We are thrilled to share that The Real Mary King’s Close has been honoured with two major wins at this year’s VisitScotland Central & East Thistle Awards.
Our attraction was named Employer of the Year, recognising the supportive, inclusive culture we’ve built for our team. Creating a workplace where people feel valued and inspired is at the heart of what we do and this award is acknowledgement of that at our Edinburgh attraction. Whether welcoming guests from around the world or working behind the scenes to care for our historic site, it’s our people who bring Edinburgh’s hidden history to life every day.
Alongside this, our General Manager, Paul Nixon, was celebrated as Individual of the Year. With more than 20 years in Scottish tourism, Paul’s leadership, vision and commitment have helped guide The Real Mary King’s Close through a period of record-breaking success. In 2024, we welcomed over 282,000 visitors from 159 countries, making us TripAdvisor’s number one visitor attraction in the UK. Paul’s award shines a light not only on his contribution, but on the strength of the whole team and the wider Continuum Attractions family.
Speaking about the wins, Paul said: “It’s an incredible honour to be recognised by VisitScotland and my peers in the industry. Tourism in Scotland is built on people – both those who work within it and those who visit – and I’m proud to represent such a talented team at The Real Mary King’s Close and across Continuum Attractions. This award is a reflection of their passion, creativity and commitment to sharing Scotland’s stories with the world.”
The Thistle Awards, hosted at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, are a highlight of the Scottish tourism calendar, celebrating the very best in our industry. To come away with two wins is a huge honour and we are immensely proud of everyone who made it possible.
The Close now goes on to represent Edinburgh at the National Final in Glasgow on 20th November!
