Four Argyll firms among winners at rural awards
Designs began as a hobby, initially selling to family and friends, but through word-ofmouth, fairs and Facebook, it started to snowball. Somehow I managed to continue with my physiotherapy job, but when my FOUR Argyll businesses are celebrating following award wins at the 2018 Scottish Rural Awards last Thursday.
Forward-thinking biotechnology company Xanthella, based in Oban, was overall winner in the Rural Enterprise and Innovation category, with judges praising its exciting work to create renewable electricity from algae.
Other Argyll wins included Ninth Wave Restaurant in Fionnphort, which took home runner-up spot in the Rural Hospitality category and Arden-based Luss Estates which received a Highly Commended award in the Business Diversification category.
There was also good news for relative newcomer Wild Thyme Spirits based on Colonsay, as it landed a Highly Commended award in the Business Start Up category.
Finalists from the Argyll area included Campbeltown distillers Beinn an Tuirc (Artisan Drink category); Inverawe Smokehouse in Taynuilt (Artisan Food category); Food From Argyll at the Pier (Business Start Up category); Oban-based Back of Beyond Broadband (Rural Enterprise and Innovation category); and The Crinan Hotel in Lochgilphead (Rural Hospitality category).
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.
Last night’s event, held at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, is the culmination of a fourth year of partnership between Scottish Field magazine 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 Barclays, Chiene + Tait and HW Energy.
Veteran broadcaster Dougie husband was offered a new job in Oban it was the right time to turn Thistle Fairy Designs into a full-time business.
‘I knew I had to get really serious about running the business, so in order to up the ante Vipond took to the stage as compere for the evening, hosting more than 400 guests and presenting three awards in each of the 13 open categories – a highly commended, runner-up and overall winner.
Nominations for the 2018 Scottish Rural Awards officially launched in September 2017, with more than 200 entries.
Those who have made special contributions to the Scottish countryside were honoured with two separate accolades last night - the Rural Hero Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Rural Hero award was collectively presented to the team behind ‘Are Ewe Okay?’ a mental health campaign aimed at young farmers, while the Lifetime Achievement accolade was awarded to Douglas Watson, senior project manager with the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society.
Richard Bath, editor of Scottish Field, said: ‘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.’
Browse the full list of Scottish Rural Awards winners at www. scottishruralawards.org.