Former Miss Scotland Jennifer Reoch and comedy star Sanjeev Kohli are set to co-host the annual Scottish Thistle Awards on its 25th anniversary.

Reoch, who is now a presenter for STV, will join the Still Game and River City star on the biggest night in the calendar for the Scottish tourism industry.

Organisers are encouraging businesses to promote the event – the National Final for a series of hotly-contested award categories – using social media.

Previous entrants and finalists are being asked to post memories and creative images of the number 25 on Twitter using the hashtag #Thistles25.

Eilean Donan Castle near Dornie, Summerhall Distillery – Pickering’s Gin in Edinburgh, The Friends of Britannia Panopticon Music Hall Trust in Glasgow and Peterhead Prison Museum are among this year’s finalists competing in 15 categories, including the inaugural Best Business Event.

A total of 70 tourism businesses and individuals struck gold at the Scottish Thistle Awards regional finals for Central Fife & Tayside, Lothian & Borders, the West, the Highlands & Islands, which was organised by the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards, and Aberdeen City and Shire, organised by Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards, and will go on to represent their respective region in the national final on March 15 at the EICC in Edinburgh.

Rebecca Brooks, chair of the Scottish Thistle Awards Industry Panel and VisitScotland Board member, said: “The Scottish Thistle Awards are Scotland’s premier awards for the tourism industry and for 25 wonderful years they have been shining a spotlight on success, innovation and excellence.

“As we countdown to our silver anniversary final, we hope past winners, current finalists and future entrants will join us in marking this milestone by sharing their memories and images on social media using #Thistles25.

“Tourism is more than a holiday experience, it creates jobs and sustains communities. The Scottish Thistle Awards let us recognise the unsung heroes of our industry who show real dedication and enthusiasm for Scotland’s tourism industry and we look forward to rewarding them on 15 March.”

The Scottish Thistle Awards is led by a panel of industry experts from several organisations including VisitScotland, Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards, Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards, the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland, Scotland Food and Drink, Scottish Tourism Alliance, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, sportscotland and Wild Scotland.