A THRIVING Borders enterprise has been nominated for a prestigious rural award.

Scottish Land & Estates has announced the finalists for their Helping it Happen Awards, supported by headline sponsor NatureScot.

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The awards scheme focuses on estates, farms, rural businesses and individuals enabling success in rural communities.

Wilson’s Farm and Kitchen at Cowbog Farm, Montbattle, near Kelso, has been nominated for the Innovation in Farming Award.

Border Telegraph: Lucy WilsonLucy Wilson

Cowbog Farm has been home to the Wilson family since 1938, with three generations managing and protecting the land that is set in the Scottish Borders. Seasonal, locally sourced food is the philosophy of Wilson's Farm and Kitchen and ingredients are sourced locally wherever possible to create the delicious menus they serve at their farm tours and food experiences which they run throughout the year.

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Cowbog is a busy family farm with around 250 cattle, arable crops and a variety of conservation features that the cows help to manage. Through sensitive management, the farm strives to protect and enhance its biodiversity while remaining economically viable. Cowbog is a 242ha mixed tenanted farm with two holdings and a contract farming arrangement with Roxburghe Estates.

Border Telegraph: Cowbog FarmCowbog Farm

Other Helping It Happen awards will be presented for outstanding contribution to rural Scotland, contribution to the environment, tackling climate change, conservation, education, communities, rural business, tourism and property.

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Scottish Land & Estates’ Chief Executive, Sarah-Jane Laing, said:“We are delighted to receive a record-breaking number of nominations for this year’s awards and these stories of success from all over Scotland are inspirational. A number of categories have been being hotly contested and we’re looking forward to the opportunity to celebrate with our finalists and winners at the awards ceremony in October.”

Border Telegraph: Cowbog Farm Cowbog Farm

Claudia Rowse, NatureScot’s Deputy Director of Green Economy, and a judge on the Helping it Happen panel, said: “It has been a privilege to review a fantastic range of applications, and this made it so difficult to choose winners. So many nominees are showcasing how to address the nature and climate crises alongside running profitable businesses that are forward looking and resilient.”

The Helping it Happen Awards ceremony will be held on October 5 at The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh.