Rural trust in the running for award

Riemore Trust near Dunkeld has been named a finalist in the national Helping it Happen Awards 2020.

Now in its fourth year, the Helping it Happen Awards have become firmly established in recognising the role of estates, businesses and individuals who are helping rural Scotland thrive.

The awards are organised by rural business organisation, Scottish Land & Estates, with the Riemore Trust a finalist in the Education Award category.

Riemore is an upland estate modernised and diversified to include sheep-farming, sporting, holiday lets, renewable energy, ecological interests and education.

In 2018, the New School, Butterstone, closed its doors and, since then, Riemore has worked in partnership with Moore House Care and Education to re-establish a school for children with special needs.

The Moore House Academy, Butterstone, was established in April 2019, taking back previous students and employing 45 full and part-time staff.

The academy has now successfully completed its first year with children coming to the academy from across Scotland.

Riemore Trust will battle it out against two other finalists in the category - St Mary’s School in the Borders and Duffus Estate in Moray.

Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said:“More than ever, this year has typified what the Helping it Happen Awards is all about – individuals, rural businesses and organisations going the extra mile to make a positive contribution to society.

“This work benefits us all by sustaining rural employment, providing education and support or helping Scotland meet its climate change goals.”

The winners will be announced via a video premiered onYouTube at noon on September 30.

This year, there are 12 awards in total, with seven award categories complemented by community champion awards across five regions.