Westfield Farms, Inverurie, and Upper Dee Riparian Woodland, Deeside, head an impressive list of north-east and Highland finalists named in the latest Helping it Happen Awards programme run by Scottish Land & Estates (SLE).
Set up to identify champions of rural business and entrepreneurship in Scotland, the awards programme, now in its third year, embraces a diverse range of businesses and their impact on the environmental, social and economic success of communities.
In addition to Westfield Farms, 2019 finalists in the Innovation in Farming category, and Upper Dee Riparian Woodland, finalists for Enhancing our Environment, other north-east and Highland nominations are: The Scourie Hotel, Lairg, and Jahama Highland Estates Glen Nevis Access Path, Fort William, (both tourism); Skyeskyns, Isle of Skye, (rural business); Inverbroom Estate, Garve, (rural housing); Cullen Volunteer Group, (working with communities); Elchies Estates, Aberlour, (innovation in farming); and Lochrosque and Kinlochewe Estates, Wester Ross, (enhancing our environment).
“Helping It Happen is succeeding in its aim to gain public recognition for the economic and social contribution made by rural businesses to the Scottish economy,” said Sarah-Jane Laing, SLE executive director.
“These businesses overcome the challenges of remote rural living to grow into successful enterprises, and many provide significant employment within their local communities and beyond.
“The standard of services, products and initiatives created by families and small collaborations, and the determination and professionalism required to develop into credible businesses, deserves recognition and appreciation from consumers, industry and government bodies.”
The winners of each category will be announced at a ceremony in October.
