The awards celebrate the drive, determination and community spirit which supports rural Scotland, and is organised by Scottish Land & Estates and supported by headline sponsor NatureScot. 

With this year marking the 10th year of the Helping It Happen awards, the awards have brought in nearly 1,000 nominations and recognised over 100 winners since their launch.

For this year, the finalists have been recognised for their success across conservation, education, farming, rural enterprise, tourism, community development and environmental land management, across 12 categories for Helping It Happen. 

The finalists for the Rural Property Award, sponsored by Bidwells, present creative ways of approaching rural housing, property and regeneration. This year’s finalists are:

Knockbain Church 

Oberlanders Architects and Interior35 have transformed Knockbain Church into a design, retail and café destination while maintaining the historic building’s architectural integrity.
 
MAKAR

MAKAR’s net zero Paradigm home contains Scottish timber and natural materials to provide affordable housing for both rural and island communities.
 
Penicuik House 

The historic estate of Penicuik House is being transformed through regenerative hospitality, restoring heritage buildings, landscape and nature while maintaining the sustainability of the property’s future. 
 
SCD Community Housing Project 

Strathdearn Community Developments provided six affordable, energy-efficient, and community-owned homes. 

A new Rural Champion Award has also been created to mark the landmark year – with a £10,000 prize courtesy of The Royal Countryside Fund, which was established by His Majesty The King, and has supported rural and farming communities in the UK in the last 16 years. 

In the Autumn, during the awards ceremony the recipient of the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Scotland will be named. 

Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates and chair of the judging panel, said: “This year’s finalists embody the imagination, commitment and resilience that have made the Helping It Happen Awards so special over the past decade.

“From individuals quietly giving their time to support their neighbours to businesses and organisations delivering ambitious projects, every finalist is making a tangible difference to rural Scotland.

“The quality of entries made the judges’ task extremely difficult.”

Keith Halstead, chief executive, The Royal Countryside Fund, said: “For over 15 years now, we’ve worked alongside rural community groups from all over Scotland and the rest of the UK and we’ve seen first-hand what a powerful impact they can have, particularly in more isolated farming communities. 

“These organisations are invariably made up of hard-working and dedicated people who are committed to their local communities. Their work is absolutely essential and takes place far away from the limelight.”

Nature Scot’s deputy director of Green Economy and judge on the Helping it Happen panel, Claudia Rowse said: “When people and nature come together in the fight against climate change, we can achieve truly remarkable things.

“This year’s nominees reflect the positive and sustainable work that so many individuals, estates, farms and rural businesses are doing to support their communities and nature.”

During the Helping It Happen Awards ceremony and dinner on 1 October 2026 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, the winners will be announced. 

The black-tie event will see rural businesses, land managers, community representatives and industry leaders come together to celebrate the people and projects helping to shape the future of rural Scotland’s future.