Helping It Happen award nominations hit new high as rural businesses and communities step into spotlight

Press Release
15 Jul 2025

Scottish Land & Estates has announced that 104 nominations have been received for the 2025 Helping It Happen Awards, marking the highest number in several categories in the event’s history.

Now in its ninth year, the Helping It Happen Awards – sponsored by NatureScot – celebrate the vital contributions made by rural businesses, estates, farms, individuals and community groups to Scotland’s economy, environment and way of life.

This year’s milestone number of entries in the Rural Business and Working with Communities categories reflects the growing recognition of those who go above and beyond to make a positive difference in rural Scotland – from innovative land management and conservation work to rural entrepreneurship, housing initiatives and community support.

Nominees span a broad range of projects, businesses and individuals, from a heritage apple orchard to a river catchment partnership, a diversified hill farm that’s integrated forestry to a mycoforestry specialist producing mushrooms, and an off-grid retreat to regional media group.

The nominations will now go forward to an expert judging panel with the shortlist for each award to be announced in August.

Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said:

“To receive 104 nominations in our ninth year is a fantastic milestone and reflects the outstanding – and often unsung – work taking place across rural Scotland every day.

“The Helping It Happen Awards shine a light on the people and organisations who quietly get on with making things better – whether that’s for nature, for their neighbours or for future generations. The quality and breadth of this year’s nominations are truly inspiring, and we look forward to celebrating their efforts later this year.

“As more and more is asked of Scotland’s rural businesses - putting food on our plates, tackling the climate and nature emergencies or driving the rural economy forward - it is right that we take a moment to celebrate everything they do for us. That is what the Helping it Happen Awards are all about.”

The Helping it Happen 2025 awards ceremony will be held in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 1 October.

The Helping It Happen Award Categories for 2025 are: