David is the Chair of the North Highland Initiative (NHI), an organisation established in 2005 to bring together the farming community, local businesses and the tourism industry to address some of the challenges facing rural communities in the far north of Scotland.
As part of the overall objective of the organisation, NHI operates across three key industries in the North Highlands; tourism, food and drink and built environment. The primary tourism project which NHI is working on is called "The North Coast 500". This is a northern coastal route way designed to attract visitors to the Northern Highlands. The route links spectacular natural heritage and scenery and celebrates the local food and drink, accommodation, retail/arts/crafts and attractions. The route runs from Inverness, along the west coast, via the rugged north coast.
David is also Chair of Scotland's Food and Drink Hub, a company formed to help small and medium sized food producers from all over Scotland access existing markets more efficiently as well as helping them explore new opportunities.
David lives at Castlecraig in Easter Ross where, along with his brothers he manages a farming business that extends to some 1100 hectares. Together they farm cereal crops, Cattle, Sheep and Pigs.
"these awards are hugely important as they encourage collaboration between land owners and their communities, creating sustainable employment opportunities and foster a more harmonious environment in remote and rural areas"