We are thrilled alongside Scottish Land & Estates and Scotland’s Regional Moorland Groups to announce the winners of the inaugural Scottish Game Awards, a momentous event that took place at the Scottish Game Fair at Scone.
This celebration highlighted the exceptional contributions of sporting estates, game dealers, gamekeepers, and ghillies across Scotland. The awards showcased excellence in four highly competitive categories, and we are delighted to have been involved in recognizing these outstanding achievements.
Game Champion of the Year
Sponsored by The Gin Bothy
Winner:
• Country Food Trust
Highly Commended:
• Angus Glens Moorland Group & Strathmore Rugby Club Partnership
• Winston Churchill Venison
Conservation and Sustainability in Sporting Award
Sponsored by Calton Wealth Management
Winner:
• Glenogil Estate & Game Conservancy Deutschland Partnership
Highly Commended:
• Seafield & Strathspey Estates
Gamekeeping Team of the Year
Sponsored by Officers’ Association Scotland
Winner:
• Auchnafree Estate, Perthshire – Richard Malseed and Max John
Highly Commended:
• Dalnaspidal Grouse Moor, near Dalwhinnie – Joe McGowan, Robert Brannan and Fraser Walker
Judges’ Commendation:
• Conor Kelly
Fishing Beat of the Year
Winner:
• Bemersyde Fishing, River Tweed
Highly Commended:
• Kercock Fishings, River Tay
Recognizing Excellence and Dedication
Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland at Scottish Land & Estates, commented on the awards: "The breadth and quality of nominations for the debut Scottish Game Awards was outstanding and it was a really difficult choice for the judging panel when it came to selecting the overall winners. My congratulations go to the County Food Trust, Glenogil Estate & Game Conservancy Deutschland, Auchnafree Estate and Bemersyde Fishing, as well as all the other highly commended finalists and those who made the shortlist."
Rory Kennedy, Director Scotland at GWCT Scotland, added: "Scotland’s estate owners, land managers, gamekeepers, and ghillies demonstrate a deep dedication to conservation and sustainability, fostering a thriving diversity of flora and fauna across hills, moorlands, and waterways. We are pleased the Scottish Game Awards is celebrating these endeavours and a huge well done goes to all who received richly deserved awards."
Mark Ewart, National Engagement Manager at Scotland’s Regional Moorland Groups, emphasized the importance of these awards: “In many rural areas, gamekeepers and land managers, along with the estates they manage, are crucial to the community fabric—something well understood locally but perhaps not as much on a national scale. The work being undertaken by nominees and by the award winners is hugely important in supporting rural Scotland, its communities, economies, and environment and we are delighted that the Scottish Game Awards has provided this recognition.”
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and commendations. Your dedication to excellence, conservation, and sustainability in country sports is truly inspiring. Well done to everyone involved!
To learn more about the winners of the Scottish Game Awards, click here.