Angus estate wins national award

Sheryl Macaulay from sponsors Douglas Home & Co and Nicholas Stirling from Arbikie Highland Estate.

An Angus business was among 11 winners from across rural Scotland who triumphed at the national Helping it Happen awards, recognising their outstanding work supporting the economy, jobs and education, wildlife and the environment.

Arbikie Highland Estate won the Innovation in Farming Award, sponsored by Douglas Home & Co, recognising the work of their distillery, which opened nearly a decade ago, and their pioneering ‘field to bottle’ model of growing, harvesting and distilling everything on-site.

Owners of Arbikie, the Stirlings, have been farming for over 400 years, and since the three brothers who currently run it - Iain, David and John - added the distillery to their operation nearly a decade ago, they have made it their ambition to develop a ‘field to bottle’ model which involves growing, harvesting and distilling everything on-site.

Now in its seventh year, the Helping It Happen Awards have become firmly established in recognising the role of estates, rural businesses and community groups who are helping rural Scotland thrive.

The awards are organised by rural business organisation, Scottish Land & Estates, and sponsored by NatureScot.

Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Huge congratulations go to our Helping It Happen awards winners who exemplify everything that is great about rural Scotland.

"The independent judging panel took their time to deliberate over the awards after some hugely impressive shortlists were drawn up.

"All the winners and nominees make a considerable contribution to Scotland’s rural communities, economies and environment, often spending their own time and resources to be able to do so.

“The Helping It Happen awards are designed to publicly recognise these often unsung heroes in rural Scotland and it enables us to share positive real-life examples of action on climate change, education about the outdoors and work on promoting affordable rural housing.

"Their help and influence is vital in sustaining flourishing rural communities and motivating and encouraging others to follow their lead.”