Wildlife charity award for farmer’s biodiversity work

A north-east farmer who champions biodiversity work on his farm has been recognised in wildlife charity RSPB’s annual Nature of Scotland Awards.

Jim Simmons of Ruthven Farm, near Tomintoul on the Glenlivet Estate, was last night named the winner of the food and farming award, sponsored by the James Hutton Institute, at a special awards ceremony in Edinburgh.

Judges described Ruthven Farm as “an exemplary example of how to farm productively and benefit wildlife”.

The farm was hailed for its rich mosaic of habitats which benefit wading birds including curlew, as well as otters, water voles and invertebrates.

“I am honoured to win the Nature of Scotland Award,” said Mr Simmons.

“The way we farm is a four pronged approach, we start with a favourable habitat, we have a farm management plan, but crucially we have the support of the Crown Estate and benefit from the wider sporting management of the estate.

“I am a firm believer that our success comes from all these four elements working in partnership.”

No stranger to success, Mr Simmons previously won the Cairngorms Nature Farm Award and the Cairngorms National Park Authority put him forward for the RSPB award.

The runner-up for the RSPB award was Castlemains Climate Change Focus Farm in North Berwick.

Jim Simmons.