Congratulations to Morag Durno, John Pirie and Michael Robertson winners of the first-ever Pride of the Park Awards, which were presented at the Grantown Show (8 August) to recognise outstanding farming in the Cairngorms National Park.
The Park is home to some of the highest quality farming in the UK and it contributes approximately £42 million a year to the Park’s economy and supports around 900 jobs. The Pride of the Park Awards recognise the outstanding contributions made by farmers from the Park and were given for the best sheep, cattle and horses from the Park exhibited at the show.
The winners were Morag Durno from Glenlivet, horses; John Pirie from Kingussie, sheep and Michael Roberts, from Tomintoul, cattle.
Duncan Bryden, Cairngorms National Park Authority convener, said it was important that the quality of farming in the Park is recognised throughout Scotland. “There is an incredibly high standard of farming in the Park and it is a very valuable part of the local economy. Much of the landscape and nature, enjoyed by our 1.5 million visitors to the Park, is managed by local farmers. The excellence of livestock and other exhibits at the Grantown Show reflects farming’s hard work and commitment. We are delighted to support these awards.
“The Cairngorms National Park is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and it is important that we carry on supporting farming within the Park so that it continues to thrive.”
Richard Lochhead, local MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, presented the awards. Congratulating the winners, he said: “The Pride of the Park awards are a great way of recognising the contribution made by farmers to the Cairngorms National Park. I was very impressed by these worthy winners and the standards on show in Grantown.”
The winners were each presented with rosettes and there were also prizes from Cairngorm Brewery, Glenlivet Distillery; Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carr-Bridge; Ace Adventure; Loch Insh Water Sports and Full on Adventure, Aviemore.