Get involved and support rural businesses in your community

The Awards, also known as the ‘Rural Oscars’, are THE rural business awards to win, and give a voice and platform to the best of Scottish produce, enterprise, heritage and communities.

The Awards are a national scheme that has seen the honouring of thousands of businesses, highlighting the efforts of many people for the benefit of their rural communities. The feel-good factor these Awards generate cannot be overestimated, and those who have won have said about the positive impact their recognition has had on everyone they know. Importantly, the Awards have reached millions of people through the media, taking a positive story about the modern countryside, its heritage, produce and enterprise, to urban and rural Britain alike.

Nominated by the public, the Awards recognise and honour those who routinely go the extra mile for their community. Nominations are open from now until Sunday 17 November 2024. To learn more about the Awards process and timeline please go here. The national champions will be announced in the spring of 2025 at the grand final in the House of Lords.

The 6 categories are:

• Local Food/Drink - Have they put the community on the map via the quality and diversity of local produce sold?

• Village Shop/ Post Office – Are they the cornerstone of the village and breathed life into the community and local economy?
• Butcher - Is traditional butchery at the heart of the enterprise or have they brought a modern twist to this ancient skill?
• Rural Enterprise - Is this business a growing asset to its community and making a real contribution?
• Pub - Would winning this competition reward a really special enterprise and tell a positive story about rural life while championing local food and drink?
• Clarissa Dickson Wright Award – this Award centres on her belief in campaigning, educating and prioritising slow food, taste, quality and support for our farmers and producers.

The past 18 years have seen the honouring of thousands of businesses, highlighting the efforts that many rural people go to for the benefit of their communities. The benefits these awards afford cannot be overestimated, and those who have won have told us of the positive impact their recognition has had on everyone they know as well as bringing a boost to their business.

Scottish Countryside Alliance very much hope you will support the Awards and help celebrate the achievements of rural businesses in Fife. It would be great if you could show your support by encouraging people to nominate on social media. Should you have any other queries please do not hesitate to get in

You can nominate online at https://www.countryside-alliance.org/awards

Again, the Countryside Alliance cannot overstate the positive impact these Awards have, and we hope you feel able to support them and put your local area on the map.