THE nominees vying to become Scotland’s restaurant of the year have been announced as part of this year’s Scottish Licensed Trade News (STLN) awards.

The awards recognise excellence across the hospitality industry in a range of categories.

There are two categories when it comes to the restaurant of the year award – casual dining and fine dining.

The nominees in the casual dining category include The Silver Darling in Aberdeen and The Pierhouse Hotel in Appin.

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The Aberdeen restaurant was praised for its stunning view of the coastline and the quality of its “excellent food” while The Pierhouse Hotel was described as an “absolute joy” where the bread is “baked a few doors down”.

In the fine dining category meanwhile, those nominated include Dean Banks at the Pompadour in Edinburgh and Porter & Rye in Glasgow.

The Edinburgh restaurant was described as a “first-class eatery for locals and tourists” while Porter & Rye was named as the “ultimate Glasgow dining spot”.

There are a number of other categories as part of the awards, including the whisky bar of the year in which nominees include:

  • The George Hotel – Inveraray
  • The Malt Room – Inverness
  • The Pot Still – Glasgow

In the independent pub/bar of the year category, there were three nominees. These were:

  • Fox and Hounds – Houston
  • Bag O’Nails – Glagsow
  • The Palais – Glasgow

For the gastropub of the year award, the nominees were:

  • Stravaigin – Glasgow
  • The Boar’s Head – Auchtermuchty
  • The Loveable Rogue - Glasgow

A spokesperson for the awards said: "The annual STLN awards recognise excellence across Scotland's world-famous hospitality industry. 

"From bar staff to industry leaders; from a beloved local pub to national operators; the SLTN Awards are your opportunity to be recognised for what you do, and how well you do it."

To see the full list of finalists, click HERE.