Eight makes awards list

They have been shortlisted in various categories in the competition which celebrates all aspects of rural life and highlights the enterprise, skill and innovation of those who live and work in the countryside. Flying the flag for Dumfries and Galloway are: Kirkcolm Village Shop in the Business Start Up section; MacRebur Ltd from Waterbeck in both the Conservation and Environment category and the Enterprise and Innovation section; Galloway Forest Park is up for Rural Employer; Waulkmill Cider and Grimble’s Vinegar based in Langholm is nominated for the Rural Enterprise and Innovation too; Galloway Fisheries Trust is nominated in Conservation and Environment;  The Cocoabean Company at Twynholm makes the rural tourism shortlist, along with the Stranraer Development Trust and Logan Botanic Garden at Port Logan A winner, runner-up and highly commended in each category will be unveiled at a gala night in Edinburgh in March. Meanwhile, the organisers of Scotland’s only awards programme dedicated to supporting businesswomen are calling on female entrepreneurs in Dumfries and Galloway to get involved.