COLDSTREAM-based house builders Hudson Hirsel has been named as a winner in the national Helping It Happen Awards 2021, taking the Rural Property Award for their outstanding work in house building in rural Scotland.

Now in its fifth year, the Helping it Happen Awards have become firmly established in recognising the role of estates, businesses and community groups who are helping rural Scotland thrive. The awards are managed by rural business organisation, Scottish Land & Estates and sponsored by GLM.

Hudson Hirsel were joint winners along with Communities Housing Trust in Aviemore in the Rural Housing Award category sponsored by Velux. The independent judging panel said Hudson Hirsel is a fantastic example of the landowner working with the community and were impressed with how the business has high ethical and environmental standards.

Hudson Hirsel was established by Douglas and Angus Estates in 2010 as an “in-house” development company to create a conservation style community on the outskirts of the Hirsel Estates in Coldstream. After ten years, this “startup” company has become an award-winning housebuilder with a multi-million-pound turnover. Hudson Hirsel employs as many organisations and individuals as possible from the Scottish Borders, thereby ensuring local employment and boosting the local economy. They also build affordable housing and have worked with the local council to deliver a bespoke approach. Hudson Hirsel won a Judges’ Special Award at the Helping it Happen Awards in 2020.

Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “I want to offer my congratulations to all the winners. The independent judging panel had a really tough time deciding who should be crowned in each category. All the winners have made a considerable contribution in their own way to rural Scotland, and their environmental impact is always at the forefront of their minds.

“The Helping It Happen Awards quite rightly celebrate those farms, organisations and estates going the extra mile to make a positive contribution to their local community and wider Scotland whether that’s through climate action, providing jobs and training or building affordable housing. This contribution is crucial to ensure that Scotland has a successful green recovery from the Covid pandemic.”

The winners were announced during a virtual awards ceremony on Wednesday evening (27 October)