Scotland’s oldest ship and beloved Dundee accredited museum, HMS Unicorn, has won the Innovation category at this year’s Scottish Thistle Regional Awards.
The historical ship, which celebrated its bicentenary in 2024 and currently welcomes 10,000 visitors a year, was one of three organisations shortlisted for the Innovation Award. This award sets out to honour tourism organisations driving forward positive change in innovative ways, and those creatively adapting in line with the changing landscape and consumer behaviour, delivering exceptional experiences.
HMS Unicorn impressed judges with its pioneering Wavemakers volunteer programme, inclusive community projects and its ambitious Project Safe Haven, a significant preservation project, which will see HMS Unicorn become the focal point of a new Maritime Heritage Centre, creating a new cultural destination for Dundee.
Andrew Tibbs, Chief Executive Officer of the Unicorn Preservation Society, the charity caring for HMS Unicorn since 1968, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that HMS Unicorn has been recognised with a Scottish Thistle Innovation Award. For us, innovation is about people, finding new ways to make a 200-year-old ship relevant and transformative in today’s world. Our Wavemakers volunteers programme has shown that heritage can drive real social change, supporting young people, disabled volunteers and those furthest from the labour market into new opportunities. Meanwhile our community projects, from working with displaced Ukrainians to improving accessibility for visitors, have redefined what a museum can be.
“Through Project Safe Haven we are also reimagining the ship’s future as a world-class Maritime Heritage Centre, ensuring HMS Unicorn is preserved for generations to come while continuing to serve Dundee as a hub for learning, wellbeing and creativity. This award is a tribute to the imagination and resilience of our staff, volunteers and partners, who prove every day that heritage can be both a safe haven and a springboard for the future.”
The Visit Scotland Scottish Thistle awards showcase the very best of Scotland’s tourism sector, helping to ensure that tourism, and the individuals who work in the industry are recognised for the positive impact they bring to the country and communities.
