A hill farming couple who featured on the popular This Farming Life television programme have been recognised by NFU Scotland.
Anne and Bobby Lennox, of Shranton Farm, near Luss on Loch Lomond, are this year’s recipients of the union’s prestigious Ambassador Award.
The award, which was established in 2009 and is supported by NFU Mutual, recognises individuals who have played an influential role in communicating the work, challenges and the value of Scottish food and farming to a wider audience.
Previous recipients include the late P&J farming editor Joe Watson and regular P&J columnist and food writer Lady Claire Macdonald.
The couple, who run 1,400 ewes and 30 suckler cows on their 5,000-acre hill farm, were recognised for their appearance on This Farming Life but also their work with the young farmers’ movement, education and tourism.
The couple run a bed and breakfast business at the farm and they are also keen supporters of the Royal Highland Educational Trust, having hosted thousands of schoolchildren to the farm.
Mr Lennox is currently president of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs (SAYFC), a regional adviser to livestock research body the Moredun Research Institute, and a board member of livestock co-operative Highland Glen.
The couple were presented the award by former NFUS president Allan Bowie at the union’s annual dinner, in front of 500 guests and delegates.
Mr Bowie said the Lennox couple’s award was long overdue as they have “given so much back to the industry that they love”.
SAYFC chief executive, Penny Montgomerie, said: “On behalf of all Scottish young farmers, we would like congratulate our president Bobby Lennox, and his wife Anne, on this well-deserved accolade.
“They are true ambassadors for the Scottish agricultural industry, passionately promoting food and farming both on and off farm and we are delighted to see them recognised this evening.”
Local RHET organiser, Sheila Bannerman, also paid tribute to the couple and said their enthusiasm for food and farming was infectious and a huge influence on schoolkids.
