OUR HISTORY
Thistle Decorators was founded in 1984 by Mick Hughes, a skilled craftsman whose work quickly earned a reputation for reliability, honesty, and exceptional attention to detail. Mick built the company on traditional values: doing the job properly, treating clients with respect, and taking genuine pride in every finish. For decades, these principles earned Thistle Decorators the trust of homeowners, businesses, and organisations across Edinburgh and Central Scotland.
Bespoke Painting and Decorating Services in Edinburgh
Domestic, Commercial & Industrial Painting Contractors
A Local Business Established over 40 years ago
QUALITY, CONSISTENCY, PROFESSIONALISM
As the company grew, so did its reputation. Thistle Decorators became known not only for high-quality work, but for consistency, professionalism, and a strong customer-first approach. This long-standing foundation—supported by decades of reviews, repeat clients, and industry recognition—remains at the core of everything we do today.
Three years ago, I took over the business with the determination to protect that legacy while raising standards even further. The goal was simple: keep what makes Thistle Decorators trusted, while modernising every area that benefits our clients. Since then, we’ve strengthened our team with NVQ, CSCS and SCORE-qualified decorators, invested in dustless sanding systems such as Mirka LEROS and DEROS, expanded our health and safety training, and formalised our working standards through industry memberships and certifications including:
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Scottish Decorators’ Federation
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The Guild of Master Craftsmen
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IPAF, PASMA, IOSH & Elevated Platform certification
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Disclosure Scotland verified workforce
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British Red Cross First Aid certification
We have also modernised operations with clearer communication processes, branded vehicles, uniformed staff, a dedicated Contracts Manager, and a fully established physical office at 22–26 Academy Street, Edinburgh — ensuring clients always know who we are, where we are, and how we work.
Through these improvements, we have remained true to Mick’s original ethos while evolving into a fully professional, highly trained, safety-focused decorating company equipped for today’s expectations.
WHERE WE’RE HEADED
Our future builds on everything we have achieved so far.
We continue to invest in:
• Training & Qualifications
Ensuring every decorator holds the highest industry certifications, including NVQ levels, CSCS, IPAF, PASMA, IOSH and First Aid. This allows us to safely and confidently undertake residential, commercial, industrial, and civil work.
• Technology & Specialist Equipment
We use dustless sanding systems, premium trade-grade materials, and manufacturer-approved techniques to deliver cleaner jobs, sharper finishes, and longer-lasting results.
• Quality Assurance
Our aim is to grow without ever compromising on standards. Every project is supported by a 2-year workmanship guarantee and manufacturer warranties of up to 10 years.
• Professionalism & Client Experience
From maintaining our physical office to using branded vehicles and a fully verified team, we’re committed to offering a level of professionalism many decorators cannot match.
• Long-Term Stability
We’re building a company that will continue to serve Edinburgh for decades to come — not a short-term operation or a one-man band.
We are committed to being a trusted, established, and reliable name in Scottish decorating for the next generation.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
When you choose Thistle Decorators, you’re not hiring a new or untested business. You’re choosing a company backed by:
• Over four decades of proven workmanship
• A reputation built through consistency and trust
• Highly qualified and safety-certified decorators
• A fully insured, fully verified, fully professional team
• Premium equipment and materials for long-lasting results
• A real office, real staff, and real accountability
• A 2-year workmanship guarantee and up to 10-year product warranties
You get the security and peace of mind that comes from a firm with a long-standing history, a loyal client base, and a commitment to doing things correctly — not quickly, cheaply, or carelessly.
Put simply:
You’re choosing experience, stability and craftsmanship that has stood the test of time.
And you’re choosing a company that will still be here if you ever need us again.
We had a contract to renovate in property in Edinburgh and thought we would try and locate a local decorating firm - contacted 2 or 3 and Thistle Decorators replied/visited/quoted and came out on top. Way above the others. We awarded the works to Thistle and they stuck to the timescale 100% the lads did a great job - great attention to detail, clean and tidy works - all above and beyond. Our client was very pleased and asked for other works to be done directly. We were very pleased to to find Thistle Decorators and would have no hesitation recommending and or using the firm again. Thank you for helping us complete our contract to your high standard.
Thistle did an excellent job for us in external painting and decorating. We were impressed by the level of preparation (often skimped by firms in a hurry), the cleanliness and tidiness of the work completed and the overall quality of the work. The operatives were entirely professional, courteous and respectful; they were also nice guys! They turned up on time and worked heroically hard. They also cleaned up after themselves and left our house somewhat tidier than it was when they arrived! I would have no hesitation on the basis of this experience in giving them my highest endorsement and recommendation.
The two painters were polite and professional. They did a thorough job sanding down the window frames and then painting them. I’m very pleased with the work.
Thistle have painted the exterior of my house and decorated inside and I’m delighted with their work. They are excellent to work with and take real pride in their work.
GET TO KNOW YOUR LOCAL PAINTING CONTRACTORS IN EDINBURGH
CALL THISTLE DECORATORS ON 0131 555 0330 TODAY