Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has revealed the shortlist of more than 30 organisations, businesses and individuals for the Helping it Happen Awards.
The SLE awards, which feature 11 categories including education, conservation, farming and rural business, aim to reward those who make an exceptional impact on rural Scotland.
The Innovation in Farming Award recognises those who are doing things differently, no matter the size or scale of farming being carried out, and whether that be in diversification or the introduction of new farming techniques.
Four nominations have been shortlisted for the award:
- Angus Growers, a partnership which, through its working and innovation in sustainability, has led to a substantial fall in the carbon footprint of soft fruit production;
- Hyrneside, which has embraced the concept of incorporating trees into its farm’s traditional arable crops and livestock business for the sole purpose of supporting the environment;
- Grampian Graziers, agro-ecological grazier whose herd of beef cattle is continually on the move across a range of pastures with the organisation a champion of a very low-input farming;
- Sweethope Farm which has been involved with numerous trials to understand how the efficiency of farming methods can be improved, as well as embracing data collection using surveys, GPS and AI, all to the benefit of the output from the business.
Finalists for the Enhancing Our Environment through Land Management Award are recognised for projects, both large and small, being carried out to protect and enhance landscapes in Scotland.
Those in the running for the award include Glenfalloch Estate for its transformative landscape recovery project.
Auchlyne & Suie Estate is also a finalist for its work to enhance sustainability, improve conservation efforts and educate the public on the environmental services provided by its management practices.
Skye Iconic Sites Project (SISP), a three year programme aimed at addressing the environmental degradation caused by overtourism at Skye’s most popular sites, is another finalust for the Enhancing Our Environment Award.
The last finalist is Caerlaverock Estate, for its work creating habitats like ponds for species such as Natterjack Toads while maintaining agricultural productivity and engaging the community through education and communication efforts.
Other awards categories include tourism and visitor management, rural property, rural rising star and the Iver Salvesen Award for Combatting Climate Change.
The Helping it Happen Awards will take place on Wednesday, October 2, at The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh.
‘Exceptionally fierce’ competition
Chief executive of SLE and chair of the judging panel, Sarah-Jane Laing, said: “The quality of entries this year has been truly inspiring.
“From every corner of Scotland, we’ve seen incredible stories of passion, resilience, and innovation that are driving our rural communities forward.
“The competition has been exceptionally fierce, and we are really excited about celebrating the outstanding achievements of our finalists and winners at the awards ceremony this October.”
NatureScot’s deputy director of green economy and judge on the Helping it Happen panel, Claudia Rowse, said: “The quality of applications for the Helping it Happen Awards this year has been inspiring.
“These businesses and community groups show us the positive ways there are to build a resilient rural economy while adapting to the changing climate and valuing, protecting and restoring nature.
“The nominees are creating thriving rural communities today and ensuring that there will be a nature rich future for tomorrow.”
