West Coast and islands well represented as 2020 Scottish Rural Awards shortlist announced
A host of businesses from the West Coast and Outer and Inner Hebrides are among the finalists in the 2020 Scottish Rural Awards.
The hospitality and tourism initiative categories have done particularly well, with four out of the 10 shortlisted Tourism Initiative finalists coming from the islands: The Colonsay Festival of Spring (Colonsay), Eilean Dorcha Festival (Benbecula), Uist Gifts and Information (Uist), and HebHolidays (covering the Outer Hebrides).
Taking five out of the 12 shortlisted businesses in the Hospitality Award were: The Three Chimneys (Skye), Glenegedale House (Islay), Tigh na Mara Guesthouse (Coll), The Coll Hotel (Coll) and RiverBeds Luxury Wee Lodges (Ballachulish).
Arran’s prestigious Auchrannie
Resort has been shortlisted for the Best Rural Employer Award.
The Wee Isle Dairy on Gigha, the only dairy shortlisted in its category, and Salar Smokehouse in South Uist are both finalists for the Best Scottish Artisan Food Award. The new eco distillery Nc’nean Distillery at Drimnin, by Lochaline on the Morvern peninsula, is a finalist in the Most Sustainable
Rural Business Award. 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 winner and runner-up for each award will be unveiled at the Scottish Rural Awards ceremony and gala dinner hosted by comedian Jim Smith at the Glasgow Hilton on April 2, 2020. Early bird tickets for the event are available until December 20, 2019, here.
Those who have made special contributions to the Scottish countryside will also be honoured with two separate accolades: the Rural Hero Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Browse the full list of Scottish Rural Awards finalists at www. scottishruralawards.org