The Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries has been named Independent Hotel of the Year, following in the footsteps of Cromlix House, owned by Andy and Kim Murray, which claimed the title last year.
Owned and operated by the Wallace family for over 40 years, the hotel is expanding its offerings with the introduction of a new casual dining restaurant, The Oak.
Last July, the Cairndale also unveiled a £2 million, two-storey, adults-only spa, which earned recognition as one of Britain’s three best new facilities in November, Scottish Daily Express reports.
The prestigious Scottish Excellence Awards were presented at a black-tie dinner held at the Hilton Glasgow on the 27th of March.
Judges praised the Cairndale, noting its substantial investment in the spa, the dedication of its staff, its ongoing support for the local community, outstanding customer feedback, and its commitment to sustainability. “The Cairndale was a worthy winner,” they remarked.
Meanwhile, the Hilton Glasgow was crowned Group Hotel of the Year 2025, beating out strong contenders such as the Sonas Collection’s Knipoch Hotel near Oban, the 243-bed Radisson Blu Glasgow, and the Rutland Hotel in Edinburgh.
Stephen Frost, Divisional Executive Chef for caterers Prestige Scotland, Sodexo Live, and HPL, was honoured with the Lifetime Excellence Award. Frost’s illustrious career has included roles as head chef at Cromlix, Philipburn House in Selkirk, and the Black Bull in Killearn.
He has also overseen catering at major events, such as two Rugby World Cups, 13 Open Golf Championships, and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Notably, while running the Stonor Arms in Henley-on-Thames, he regularly hosted legendary chef Raymond Blanc, who dined there every Sunday.
The Scottish Excellence Awards, described as “the ultimate accolade for businesses and individuals in Scottish hospitality, food service, and tourism,” were presented by a distinguished panel.
The awards were judged by Advisory Board members, including Scotland’s National Chef Gary Maclean, Roberta Hall-McCarron, Executive Chef of the Little Chartroom and Eleanore in Edinburgh, Caroline Gregory of the Lovat Hotel and Restaurant in Fort Augustus, and Jill Chalmers, Managing Director of Glenapp Castle Hotel in South Ayrshire.
The Cairndale Hotel’s new spa continues to make waves, as it also earned the title of Scotland’s Best New Spa at the recent Hotels of the Year Scotland Awards.
The Dumfries hotel also secured the award for Best Hotel in the South West, with general manager Matthew Wallace Senior and his son, Matthew Wallace Junior, accepting the honours at a gala dinner in Glasgow.
Matthew Wallace Junior welcomed the recognition, stating: “These latest awards are further evidence that our huge investment is paying off. The spa is already very popular, attracting guests from far and wide. Bookings are strong, and it’s already clear that we have become a true wellness destination.”
He added: “It’s wonderful to have achieved national – UK as well as Scotland – recognition, but we remain aware that we also fly the flag for Dumfries and Galloway, where our heart lies. We have been the premier hotel in this region for decades and continue to attach great importance to serving the people of the south west.”
