Five north and north-east businesses are in the running for a regional heat of the 2018-19 Rural Business Awards.
Sheepskin tannery SkyeSkyns is one of five contenders in the manufacturing category, while Resipole Studios fine art gallery in Ardnamurchan is among five finalists in the section for creative or media-based businesses.
The Highlanders’ Museum at Fort George is on the shortlist for social enterprise, charity or community project of the year.
Speyside Falconry, between Keith and Rothes, is up for best recreational or outdoor pursuits business.
Sutherland salmon farmer Loch Duart is hoping to be named best rural food business. Its managing director Alban Denton said: “We look forward to meeting other Highland businesses at the awards in October and celebrating our vital rural economy.”
They are all competing against businesses from Scotland and northern England for places in the final. The north heat will be decided in Bolton, Lancashire, on Tuesday October 9, with the UK gongs being presented at Chateau Impney, in Worcestershire, on February 28 2019.
