Kingussie butcher named finalist in the Countryside Alliance Awards
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A Badenoch butcher is hoping to prove to be a cut above the competition after being shortlisted in the Countryside Alliance Awards.
D Gilmour Butchers, on King Street in Kingussie, has been voted as a finalist in the butcher category. The overall competition saw 17,000 other businesses nominated across the UK.
The awards are made by a public vote, and it came as a ‘lovely surprise’ to shop owner Donald Gilmour to have his business nominated.
He said: “It came out of the blue...
“It is a great privilege to be a finalist and it puts our town on the national stage.
"We support the estates around us as best we can, and work closely with them so this is a great surprise.
“I don’t know how it all came about but it reflects how hard our team works.”
Mr Gilmour added: “It just goes to show how loyal our customers are.”
A total of 21 rural businesses from across Scotland have been shortlisted for the Countryside Alliance Awards – also known as the Rural Oscars.
The thousands of nominations from across the country were whittled down to a final few.
Winners are being chosen via a public vote this month and announced at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh on February 2.
The winners of the Scottish final will go on to represent Scotland when the awards are hosted at the House of Lords in the national champions reception on May 17.
The businesses are judged on a range of criteria including their passion and commitment, sense of community, championing local food and the energy and diversity of their business.
The awards celebrate rural businesses that go the extra mile, support their local economy and are the unsung heroes in every community.
There are five categories including, ‘best pub’, ‘best village shop/ post office’, ‘best butcher’, ‘best for local food and drink’ and the ‘rural enterprise award’.
It is now down to the general public to vote for their favourite rural businesses, which can be done via the Countryside Alliance website .
The public can vote for one business in all of the categories, or for just one individual business in their respective category.
Scottish Countryside Alliance director Jake Swindells said: “We have been overwhelmed by nominations this year, with so many worthy businesses being sent in by the Scottish public.
"Every business has an important story to tell and it’s so important that is recognised. The secret to the Rural Oscars’ popularity is that they honour the people involved in these businesses and not just their produce or services.
"These awards provide a cause for celebration in a time of great uncertainty in the Scottish countryside. Our local produce is second to none and there are many community heroes and businesses worthy of national recognition.
"We encourage as many people as possible to get voting today."
