Helping It Happen Awards 2025: Spotlight on Scotland’s Rural Innovators and Community Champions

Scotland’s rural champions are once again stepping into the spotlight as the shortlist for the Helping It Happen Awards 2025 is unveiled today.

Organised by Scottish Land & Estates and sponsored by NatureScot, the awards recognise the people and projects driving positive change in rural Scotland. With 11 diverse categories – spanning education, conservation, farming, tourism, and rural enterprise – the awards celebrate the remarkable work that underpins the vibrancy and resilience of the countryside.

This year’s finalists represent the very best of rural innovation and community commitment. From pioneering climate-friendly land management to projects enhancing local economies and opportunities, each nominee showcases how Scotland’s rural areas continue to adapt, thrive, and inspire.

The winners will be announced at a celebratory event later this autumn, bringing together rural leaders, businesses, and community representatives from across the country.

The Working With Communities Award – sponsored by The Exiteers – celebrates the individuals and groups whose dedication is improving everyday life in rural Scotland. This year’s finalists showcase outstanding examples of collaboration, creativity and commitment to strengthening local communities, including:

• Ardnamurchan Estate/Ardnamurchan Trust: Ardnamurchan Estate, Trust and Distillery support local youth by purchasing whisky casks for every child at age 10, later funding their education through buy-backs. The scheme provides financial aid, fosters aspiration, and encourages young people to return with new skills, strengthening the peninsula’s future resilience.
• Arrochar Community Hydro: The project began in 2018 with land donated by Luss Estates, enabling a hydroelectric scheme for Luss, Arrochar and Tarbet. Profits are shared equally among the communities, funding local projects and delivering long-term community benefit.
• Coigach Community Development: Founded in 2010, the organisation supports the Coigach community through projects, grants, and land ownership. Created in response to a housing crisis, it fundraised for a wind turbine, now providing stable income to fund local initiatives and strengthen community resilience.
• Community Instrumental Music Service for Rural Scotland: The service, in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University, brings music tuition to adults across rural Scotland. Responding to limited access and geographic barriers, it offers inclusive lessons and community music-making, improving participants’ skills, wellbeing, and connection to their communities.

The Enhancing Our Environment through Land Management Award – sponsored by NatureScot – recognises outstanding initiatives that protect, restore, and enhance Scotland’s landscapes and biodiversity. This year’s finalists demonstrate innovation, dedication, and a real commitment to sustaining our natural heritage, including:

• Bright Spark Burning Techniques Ltd: Experts in wildfire prevention through controlled muirburn. Led by experienced gamekeepers, they provide Lantra-approved training, consultancy, and advice to land managers and firefighters, helping communities safely manage fuel loads and protect the environment.
• Caledonian Climate Partners: Now four years old, the organisation works with landowners across Scotland to restore degraded peatlands. In FY 2024/5, it managed 2,850 ha of restoration—over 20% of Scotland’s total—working collaboratively with landholders and communities to scale up peatland recovery.
• Joyce Campbell/Armadale Farm: Joyce Campbell is redefining modern farming as land steward, climate mitigator, and community builder. Through peatland restoration, regenerative grazing, and stewardship of Armadale Gorge SSSI, she exemplifies excellence in environmental management, inspiring others and fostering sustainable land use for future generations.
• Upper Deeside and Donside Land Management Group: The group brings together seventeen land managers across private, charitable, and public sectors to collaboratively manage 101,592 ha of common land. The Group promotes sustainable deer management and facilitates information sharing, pioneering new approaches to land management in Scotland.

Beyond these categories, the awards also recognise excellence in tourism and visitor experience, rural property innovation, emerging rural talent, and transformative climate action through the prestigious Iver Salvesen Award.

An award for the Outstanding Contribution to Rural Scotland will also be announced at the Helping it Happen awards ceremony.

Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates and chair of the judging panel, said: “This year’s entries highlight just how much creativity, commitment and passion there is across rural Scotland.

 “The breadth of projects – from small community initiatives to large-scale enterprises – shows the vital role people play in keeping our countryside vibrant and sustainable. The standard has been incredibly high, and we are looking forward to celebrating the achievements of our finalists and winners when we come together for the awards this October.”

Claudia Rowse, NatureScot’s Deputy Director of Green Economy and judge on the Helping it Happen panel, said: “It’s truly inspiring to hear from this year’s nominees about the positive work that so many people are doing to boost the resilience of rural businesses and communities, with protecting and restoring nature so often a key part of that work. I hope that these examples can act as a motivation for others, encouraging more action to improve nature and climate alongside rural business resilience.”

The Helping It Happen Awards 2025 ceremony will be a night of inspiration and recognition, taking place on Wednesday, 1 October, at The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh. The event will bring together rural leaders, innovators, and community champions to celebrate the remarkable achievements that continue to strengthen and enrich life across Scotland’s countryside.

The remaining finalists for the Helping it Happen Awards 2025 are:

Conservation Award – sponsored by Levy & McRae

• Bob Kindess/The River Carron Conservation Association: Bob Kindness has revitalised salmon and sea trout in the River Carron through an innovative stocking programme and captive broodstock facility, releasing up to 150,000 fry annually and conserving the river’s fish populations.

• Michael Bruce, Firebreak Services Ltd: Founded in 2003, the company supports wildfire risk management in Scotland, providing assessments, engaging communities, and assisting emergency services to improve preparedness, response, and public safety.
• Tweed Foundation: As a leading fisheries conservation charity, the organisation protects wild Atlantic salmon in the River Tweed through monitoring, habitat restoration, invasive species control, and community education programs, ensuring a sustainable future for the river and its communities.

Education Award – sponsored by Terra Magna

• Ben McCallum: Ben has preserved rural skills such as fly fishing, rivercraft, and aquatic ecology through structured courses, mentoring, accredited learning, and youth ambassador programmes, keeping traditional knowledge accessible and relevant to new generations.
• Forth Valley College: Forth Valley College developed a Rural Skills course for young people with Additional Support Needs, partnering with local organisations and estates to provide training and work experience, leading to paid countryside traineeships.
• Royal Northern Countryside Initiative: The RNCI engages children across north-east Scotland in hands-on rural education, teaching agriculture, sustainability, and traditional skills through farm visits, STEM events, and interactive classroom resources.

Good News Award – sponsored by Media House International

• Katharine Hay: Katharine’s ‘Hay’s Way’ documents rural Scotland for The Scotsman, reporting from the field to showcase authentic rural life, challenges, and communities, bringing a unique perspective to national journalism.
• River Tweed Salmon Season Opening/Anne Woodcock: A beacon of rural good news celebrating tradition, conservation, and community through the Tweed Fly Fair, workshops, art, and media outreach, engaging children, anglers, and visitors while highlighting Scotland’s river heritage.
• Women in Wellies Podcast: The podcast highlights women shaping rural Scotland, blending inspiring stories, practical advice, and community engagement through interviews, live events, and partnerships, amplifying voices across business, community, and countryside life.

Innovation in Farming Award – sponsored by EQ Chartered Accountants

• Digital Dairy Chain: The project transforms the dairy sector across South and West Scotland and Cumbria, providing innovation, productivity support, and economic growth opportunities, backed by £21 million UKRI Strength in Places funding.
• Mycoforestry for Carbon Negative Food Production: Mycoforestry integrates mushroom cultivation with trees, producing nutritious crops while sequestering carbon, boosting biodiversity, improving soil health, and enhancing income resilience, supporting sustainable food and forestry without land-use conflicts.
• Tardoes Farm, Cora & David Cooper: Using adaptive mob rotational grazing on 800 ha of peatland, the project combines profitable sheep farming with conservation, restoring habitats, supporting red-list species, and mitigating climate impacts on marginal land.

Iver Salvesen Award for Combatting Climate Change – sponsored by Murray Beith Murray

• Argyll Countryside Trust: Founded in 2014, the charity partners with communities and organisations to deliver projects in climate change, habitat restoration, and outdoor learning, improving landscapes, wellbeing, and environmental resilience across Argyll.
• Cairngorm Bothies: Scotland’s first fully off-grid retreat combines renewable energy, low-impact tourism, and local community support, offering sustainable accommodation and activities that connect guests to nature while protecting the environment.
• MAKAR Ltd: The organisation pioneers timber-based, off-site construction, delivering over 250 Net Zero homes in Scotland. Its sustainable designs reduce carbon, lower running costs, and offer affordable, eco-friendly housing solutions.
• The River South Esk Catchment Partnership: The River South Esk Catchment Partnership, established in 2004, brings stakeholders together to create a sustainable management plan, protecting wildlife, including Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl mussels, while addressing environmental, social, and economic issues.

Rural Business Award – sponsored by Shepherd + Wedderburn

• Natural Power: A global renewable energy consultancy provides expert advice and services for safe, low-carbon projects, supporting over 2,000 clients across 68 countries with a team of more than 500 specialists.
• The Free Company: An organic regenerative farm and restaurant in the Pentland Hills combines sustainable food production, ethical employment, and community engagement, offering farm-to-table dining, a veg box scheme, and education in circular, resilient systems.
• The Rhynd: An arable farm near Leuchars has diversified sustainably, hosting a wedding venue, café showcasing local produce, gym, and Scottish Clay Shooting Centre, offering archery and axe-throwing while prioritising environmental care.
• Treeline Woodlands Ltd: The organisation helps landowners create multi-purpose woodlands that support wildlife, timber, shelter, and sporting cover, blending sustainability with practicality to maximise land potential and benefit rural communities.

Rural Property Award – sponsored by Bidwells

• John O’Groats Mill Trust: The Trust restored a B-listed watermill on Scotland’s north coast, returning it to sustainable use as a community venue and heritage attraction after lying empty for over 20 years.
• Kilbeg Affordable Homes in Partnership with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig: The Kilbeg development on Skye delivers sustainable, energy-efficient, and accessible homes, supporting affordable housing, cultural regeneration, and community resilience. The project combines environmental responsibility, Gaelic heritage, local services, and intergenerational living to strengthen rural communities.
• Wemyss & March Estates: Wemyss and March Estates developed Longniddry South with high-quality design, integrating greenspaces, traditional aesthetics, habitat features, and car-free streets, working closely with architects, developers, and the community to create a sustainable, connected village.

Rural Rising Star Award – sponsored by Scottish Woodlands

• Ben McClymont: Ben manages 700 ha across Saughland and Crichton Farms, advising neighbouring businesses, while leading in Scotland’s agricultural community through NFUS and Young Farmers, promoting innovation, leadership, and sector development.
• Iona Campbell: Iona co-founded Women Who Work in Field Sports, creating an inclusive platform that supports and empowers women in the traditionally male-dominated sector, while advancing representation, connection, and engagement through leadership and outreach.
• Lucy Pattinson: Lucy, chef and game meat champion, co-founded Fodder + Farm and Goat Rodeo Goods, promoting regenerative farming, seasonal produce, sustainability, and minimal waste through innovative cooking and food entrepreneurship.
• Sammi Kinghorn: Sammi, Paralympic champion from the Scottish Borders, inspires rural communities through advocacy for farm safety, mental health, and inclusion, transforming personal adversity into leadership and positive impact across agriculture.

Tourism & Visitor Management Award – sponsored by GLM

• Boswell Book Festival: The festival, held at Dumfries House, celebrates biography and memoir through workshops, schools’ events, and online access, offering inclusive, high-quality literary experiences that engage local and global audiences.
• Crawick Multiverse: A 55-acre cosmology-themed land art installation on a former coalmine, employing local staff and attracting visitors globally, hosting festivals and events that boost the local economy.
• Luss Estates: The company balances over a million annual visitors with conservation, enhancing Luss Village through landscaped parking, green spaces, play areas, litter management, and attractions like nature trails, faerie trails, and outdoor activities.
• Moffat Distillery: A family-run distillery in the Southern Uplands produces small-batch, wood-fired whisky and gin using sustainable methods, offering tours, tastings, and community events while promoting regenerative land stewardship.