The monument manager at Dumbarton Castle has been shortlisted for another rising star award.

Joseph Sellors is representing Dunbartonshire as the shortlist for this year’s Scottish Thistle Awards regional finals are unveiled.

Joseph arrived at Dumbarton Castle in February 2017 and has worked with Historic Environment Scotland since September 2015, first at Doune Castle and then at Caerlaverock Castle.

Joseph said: “Getting the recognition for the work put in is very satisfying especially given it’s a very competitive field and the nomination for the award is made by your peers, so it’s pleasing to know that what I do is appreciated.

“Winning would be extremely gratifying and vindicate the hard work everyone at Dumbarton Castle has put in since I’ve started.”

During his time he has overseen soaring visitor numbers to the Rock of the Clyde, welcoming 28,546 people in 2018.

Last year he was shortlisted for the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions’ rising star award.

This year his nomination is in the Regional Rising Star category, sponsored by HIT Scotland.

But he’s not the only West Dunbartonshire nominee to get through to the regional finals.

Joseph has been shortlisted alongside Clydebank based Glasgow Music City Tours, a company offering guided walking tours of Glasgow’s music scene, which has been shortlisted in the Working Together for Tourism category.

They will feature at the West Regional Final at Oran Mor in Glasgow on Thursday, November 28.

Joseph added: “Dumbarton is one of many sites across the country that has seen a steady rise in visitor numbers over the past few years. It’s a great site with an incredibly rich history that stretches back thousands of years and offers a different type of visit to your traditional castle.

“The work at the site is very much a team effort between all involved and anything that gets the site good publicity can only be a good thing.”

David Adams McGilp, VisitScotland regional director, said: “These entries show the strength and depth of the tourism industry in the region. They should feel very proud.”