Local firms honoured at Rural Awards bash

Five Perthshire businesses pick up prestigious gongs

Five Perthshire businesses are celebrating following wins at the 2017 Scottish Rural Awards.

The prestigious Rural Hero award was presented to the crew of Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, with the judging panel praising the team’s selfless and dedicated service, commenting that the charity provides “a vital lifeline that Scotland simply cannot do without”.

Summer Harvest Oils, based near Crieff, was awarded Highly Commended in the Artisan Food category, while Strathearn Distillery in Methven received the Highly Commended in the Artisan Drink category.

Hugh Grierson Organic at Newmiln was awarded Runner Up in the Agriculture category, while Meikleour Estate, near Blairgowrie, took home a Highly Commended in the Business Diversification category.

Finalists from Perthshire include the Cardney Estate, by Dunkeld (Business Diversification), The Famous Grouse Experience (Rural Tourism and Artisan Drink), Taymouth Marina in Aberfeldy (Rural Enterprise), The Enchanted Forest (Rural Tourism), Errichel House and Cottages in Aberfeldy and Craigatin House and Courtyard in Pitlochry (both Rural Hospitality).

The Scottish Rural Awards are the ultimate benchmark of success in Scotland’s countryside, highlighting the enterprise, skill and innovation of those who live and work in rural areas.

The recent event, held at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, is the culmination of a third year of partnership between Scottish Field and the Scottish Countryside Alliance to host the awards, in association with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS).

The awards are backed by category sponsors including Aldi, the Bank of Scotland and Subaru UK.

Comedian Fred MacAulay took to the stage as compere for the evening, hosting more than 400 guests and presenting three awards in each of the 11 open categories – a Highly Commended, Runner Up and overall Winner. Nominations for the 2017 Scottish Rural Awards officially launched at the Scottish Parliament in September 2016, with over 200 entries received before the closing date.

Businesses were able to selfnominate, or be nominated by someone else - a friend, family member, customer or member of the public.

Finalists in each of the open categories, which encompass every aspect of rural life, from agriculture and food production, to conservation, education and tourism, were announced in December 2016.

Richard Bath, Editor of Scottish Field, commented: “More than ever before, Scotland’s rural communities are displaying a quite remarkable amount of energy, innovation and imagination as they diversify existing businesses and create new and exciting opportunities from scratch.

“As a magazine we are constantly writing about the rural entrepreneurs who are bringing wealth and jobs to the countryside, so it’s exciting for us to be able to honour the men and women who are doing so much to make the economy of rural Scotland a true success story.”

Jamie Stewart, Director of the Scottish Countryside Alliance, added: “Land-based businesses contribute over £2billion to the Scottish economy.

“Despite the multiple challenges they face, they are hugely valuable brand ambassadors for Scotland, and many provide vital support to their local communities.

These awards give Scotland a chance to recognise the resilience, innovation and contribution that rurally-based people and businesses make to its success.