Rural champions shine as Helping It Happen awards celebrate Scotland’s countryside innovators

Press Release

Eleven exceptional businesses, community projects and individuals from across rural Scotland have been honoured at the Helping It Happen Awards 2025, held in Edinburgh on Wednesday evening (1 October).

Organised by Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) and generously sponsored by NatureScot, the glittering ceremony recognised outstanding contributions to the rural economy, inspiring education, pioneering conservation and vital environmental stewardship.

This year’s awards showcased the power of community energy through the Working With Communities Award, presented to Arrochar Community Hydro. Beginning in 2018 with land gifted by Luss Estates, the scheme now generates clean electricity for the villages of Luss, Arrochar and Tarbet. Profits are reinvested directly into local initiatives - supporting everything from youth facilities to environmental improvements - proving how renewable energy can drive long-term community benefit.

Innovation on the land was celebrated with the Innovation in Farming Award, where Digital Dairy Chain took top honours. Backed by £21 million UKRI Strength in Places funding, this ambitious cross-border project is transforming the dairy sector in South and West Scotland and Cumbria. By linking farmers, researchers and food producers, it is pioneering new technology, boosting productivity and creating economic growth opportunities across the entire supply chain.

Environmental leadership shone brightly in the Enhancing Our Environment through Land Management Award, awarded to Joyce Campbell of Armadale Farm. Joyce’s holistic approach - combining large-scale peatland restoration, regenerative grazing and careful stewardship of the Armadale Gorge SSSI - demonstrates how productive farming and world-class habitat management can go hand in hand, inspiring land managers well beyond the Highlands.

Now in its ninth year, the awards continue to highlight the people and partnerships driving positive change across Scotland’s countryside. From cutting-edge farming technology to landscape-scale habitat restoration and dynamic community ventures, the 2025 winners embody the creativity, resilience and collaboration that keep rural Scotland thriving.

Sarah-Jane Laing, Chief Executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “The Helping It Happen Awards are a true celebration of the people who keep Scotland’s countryside alive and thriving. The ceremony has honoured farmers who are reinventing tradition, businesses turning bold ideas into rural jobs, and communities protecting wildlife and tackling climate change head-on.

“Farming and food production remain the heartbeat of our nation, and it’s exhilarating to see such imagination, grit and resilience recognised on this stage. Our winners prove that rural Scotland isn’t just keeping pace with change - it’s leading the way.”

Claudia Rowse, Deputy Director of the Green Economy at awards headline sponsor NatureScot, added: "It is so uplifting to see such a wealth of talent and innovation at work in the country's rural communities, and across the whole of society, as people join together to balance the sensitive management of our natural world in order to protect and value biodiversity. This year's nominees show how working with nature can help contribute to business resilience and they embody real hope for the future."

Alongside the 11 main categories, several special honours were also announced on the night.

The Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Scotland was awarded to Alistair Carmichael MP, who has represented Orkney & Shetland for 24 years. Born into a hill farming family on Islay, he has been a tireless advocate for rural and island communities throughout his political career. A former Secretary of State for Scotland, he now chairs the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, where he has championed fairer treatment for food producers, greater public procurement of local produce, and robust scrutiny of government policy affecting rural Scotland.

A special Lifetime Achievement Award was also made in memory of Alastair Salvesen CBE, who passed away in December 2024. For more than 60 years, Alastair was a leading figure in Scottish life – a businessman, philanthropist, landowner and great supporter of the arts and rural communities. An active member of Scottish Land & Estates for over 30 years, his contribution to rural Scotland was profound. The award was presented to his wife Elizabeth, honouring his remarkable legacy.

The evening also introduced the Heart Awards – formerly known as the Judges’ Commendations – celebrating projects that captured the judges’ imagination for their outstanding community spirit and creativity. These were presented to Aberdeenshire Highland Beef and Megginch Castle Orchard.

The 2025 winners are as follows. Full case studies can be accessed by clicking on the hyperlinks. Photos of each award winner are also linked below.

Conservation Award – sponsored by Levy & McRae (Photo)

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.

Education Award – sponsored by Terra Magna (Photo)

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.

Enhancing Our Environment through Land Management Award - sponsored by NatureScot  (Photo)

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.

Good News Award – sponsored by Media House International (Photo)

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 (Photo)

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. 

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

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.

Rural Business Award – sponsored by Shepherd + Wedderburn (Photo)

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.

Rural Property Award – sponsored by Bidwells (Photo)

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 (Photo)

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 (Photo)

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.

Working With Communities Award - sponsored by The Exiteers  (Photo)

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.

The recipients of the Heart Awards (formerly Judges’ Commendations) are:

Aberdeenshire Highland Beef: Founded in 2017 by Grace Noble, Aberdeenshire Highland Beef is a family-run rural business that exemplifies innovation, resilience, and diversification. From just 20 Highland cows, Grace has built a vertically integrated enterprise producing premium beef and offering immersive farm experiences. The business champions women in farming and supports the local economy through food, tourism, and education. (Photo)

Megginch Castle Orchard: Megginch Castle Orchard is a platform for research into soil health, biodiversity, and genetic conservation. As a leading conservation project, the research aims to prevent the loss of Scottish varieties, and revive Scotland’s apple heritage. The orchard, with 1,400 trees and over 400 varieties of apples and pears, is home to two National Apple Collections. (Photo)