Scotland’s rural heroes
We look back at the outstandingly successful inaugural 2015 Scottish Rural Awards, which culminated with a glittering award ceremony
‘Judging the winners proved difficult with so much talent on show’
The inaugural Scottish Rural Awards were something of which Scottish Field and our partners at the Scottish Countryside Alliance were immensely proud. And the gala awards dinner certainly more than lived up to our hefty expectations.
Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh played host to 350 of the great and the good of Scotland’s countryside on 26 March as each and every winner received the recognition, kudos and shiny mantlepiece-friendly award that they so rightly deserved.
More than 200 nominations were received for people and businesses the length and breadth of the country, and judging the winners of each category proved to be a difficult process with so much entrepreneurial talent on show.
With the best of the best in each of the 10 award categories (covering agriculture and aquaculture, artisan food, artisan drink, butcher, conservation and the environment, hospitality, education, rural tourism, business start up and business diversification) in attendance, there was a wealth of rural talent on show on the big night.
On top of the businesses that were honoured, t wo very special awards were also presented to people who have made a contribution to rural life that is above and beyond the call of duty.
Brothers Brian and Duncan Swin banks won the Rural Hero Award for their incredible community work on the island of Mull. The lifetime achievement accolade was presented to the Duke of Buccleuch’s former hunt master, Trevor Adams.
The awards were something that Scotland’s rural enterprises were delighted to be associated with and the glamorous awards night made for some fabulous photos of winners and guests enjoying the evening’s festivities.
And this is just the beginning of an event that will honour Scotland’s rural businesses on an annual basis. Here at Scottish Field we can’t wait to get started on the 2016 Scottish Rural Awards and look forward to seeing you all again and meeting many more of Scotland’s rural heroes at next year’s gala dinner and awards ceremony.
THE AWARDS IN PICTURES
01 Guests enjoying dinner ahead of the awards presentation at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh
02 Alan Mackinnon, Vikki Doig, Sarah Mackinnon, Eamonn Coughlan, Lorna Gilles
03 Hannah Roche, Stephanie McKee, Angus Forsyth, Jo Freeborn, Anthony Stodart, Sally Forsyth
04 Jamie Stewart, Tim and Jo Mack
05 Niall Wright, Fiona Houston
06 George Booth, Pat Booth, Susan Booth
07 Grant Campbell, Nikki Simpson
08 Donna Stobie, Tania Darnley, Susan Thompson, Sarah Quirie
09 Stephen Wright, Janice Gillie
PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE EVENING CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE. PLEASE VISIT: WWW.SCOTTISHFIELD.CO.UK/IMAGES