Farmer and comedian Jim Smith will take to the stage to host the Scottish Rural Awards 2020.
The Fringe Performer will host the awards, laid on by Scottish Field magazine, at the Glasgow Hilton on 2nd April next year.
Following in the footsteps of other Scottish Rural Award hosts Dougie Viponf and Fred MacAulay, Jim Smith will front the black tie event, which provides the “benchmark” for the rural industry in Scotland.
Richard Bath, editor of Scottish Field, said: “”With diversification now often less a lifestyle choice than a necessity, this year’s Scottish Rural Awards will be hosted by Perthshire farmer Jim Smith, whose new sideline as a phenomenally successful stand-up comic has seen him break new ground,”
“We are huge fans of Jim Smith at Scottish Field and after Rosie Morton interviewed him for the July issue of the magazine we decided he was just the man for the job of hosting our prestigious rural awards.”
Businesses have until 4th Novemeber to put forward their nominations, with 14 awards up for grabs.
Finalists will be announced at the beginning of December 2019, with winners revealed at the Scottish Rural Awards ceremony and gala dinner, which will take place on 2nd April 2020.
Jamie Stewart of the Scottish Countryside Alliance said: “Land-based businesses contribute over £2 billion to the Scottish economy.
“Despite the multiple challenges they face, they are hugely valuable brand ambassadors for Scotland, and many provide vital support to their local communities.
“These awards give Scotland a chance to recognise the resilience, innovation and contribution that rurally-based people and businesses make to its success.’
Nominations are free and the full criteria for each award, along with nomination forms, are available on the Scottish Rural Awards website: www.scottishruralawards.org.
