TWO East Lothian businesses are in the running for national awards after making it through to the regional finals.

Foxlake Adventures, near Dunbar, and the Mercat Grill, in Whitecraig, are both aiming for success at next month’s Central South East Scottish Thistle Awards.

The VisitScotland awards were created more than 20 years ago and are recognised as Scotland’s tourism industry’s Oscars.

More than 200,000 people are employed across the country through tourism, with the industry helping to generate £11 billion each year.

The winners are announced on November 5 at the Royal College of Physicians before progressing to the national final in March.

Callum Mark, manager at Foxlake Adventures, was delighted to see the company in the running for the Forestry Commission Scotland – Best Outdoor/Adventure Experience award.

He said: “We were nominated back in August. You’ve got the regional finals, we are in the Central South East section, and there are four different sections across the country.

“The winner is decided at the beginning of November and you then you go on to the awards in March.

“We are obviously delighted to be shortlisted for the awards.

“In the email we received from VisitScotland, they said there were a record number of nominations this year.” Foxlake Adventures, which opened just over two years ago, is Scotland’s first cable wakeboarding park, along with the UK’s only ropes course constructed over water.

Mr Mark added: “We knew we had been nominated but when we got the email through saying we were shortlisted we were delighted.

“Considering how old we are, we are pretty happy to be nominated in the regional finals, never mind beyond that.” Foxlake Adventures will be up against The Big Tree Society, in Jedburgh, and St Andrews’ Blown Away.

Meanwhile, the Mercat Grill, on Whitecraig Road, is up against The Bridge Inn, Ratho, and The Boudingait, in Cupar, in the Friendliest Pub/Bar category.

Derek Dinse, manager of the pub, took over the reins of the business in April.

He said: “I’ve had a butcher’s at the others in the running online and I’m not too worried.

“I’ve only been here since April and was not expecting to get to the final but, now we are there, I’m wanting to win it.” Judges are expected to visit the Mercat Grill again before the awards ceremony.

Mr Dinse said that he thought a mystery shopper had already visited the pub but he stressed they would stay on their toes in case there was another visit before the winners were announced next month.