Countryside Alliance Awards 2025 - Scottish Winners Announced

Last night (12 March), the Countryside Alliance Scotland held its annual ‘Rural Oscars’ awards ceremony, where several Scottish rural businesses were crowned champions.
 
The Countryside Alliance Awards – now in their 18th year – recognise rural businesses across five categories, including ‘best local food’, ‘best butcher’, ‘best pub’, ‘best rural enterprise’, and ‘best village shop/ post office’. These businesses go the extra mile within their communities, supporting the local economy and championing local goods and services.
 
Thousands of nominations from around the country were whittled down via a public vote, with the final few being honoured at the Scottish finalists’ awards ceremony in Edinburgh at Rooftops, the National Museum of Scotland.
 
The awards were presented by Jake Swindells, director of the Countryside Alliance Scotland, and the event was attended by a number of MSPs.
 
The winner of each category will go on to represent Scotland in the national champions reception at the House of Lords in June, competing against other finalists from Wales, Northern Ireland, and England.
 
Jake Swindells said: "Running a business in a rural community isn’t easy, particularly in recent times. Yesterday evening was all about celebrating the valued and vital role these rural enterprises have in their communities.
 
"The Countryside Alliance is proud to be honouring a group of people so clearly passionate about the goods and services they provide throughout our incredible countryside.”
 
The Scottish winners of the 2025 Countryside Alliance Awards are:

BUTCHER

Champion - Balgove Larder, Strathtyrum

Highly Commended - Macbeth's of Forres, Forres

LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK

Champion - The Coo Shed, South Corton Farm, Ayr

Highly Commended - Scott's of Kelso, Kelso

PUB

Champion - The Gordon Arms, Gordon

Highly Commended - Allanton Inn, Allanton

RURAL ENTERPRISE

Champion - Glencoast, Helmsdale

Highly Commended - Bowhouse, St Monans

VILLAGE SHOP & POST OFFICE

Champion - Carfrae Farm Shop, East Lothian

Highly Commended - Laide Post Office and General Store, Laide