Several Borders-based businesses are finalists in the annual Countryside Alliance Awards, dubbed the 'rural Oscars'.
2024 finalists include The Gordon Arms Bar and Kitchen, Foston's Fine Meats in Duns, Donaldson's Family Butcher in Earlston, Martin Baird Butchers in Melrose and The Black Bull Hotel in Lauder.
The Countryside Alliance runs the awards to celebrate Scottish and British food, farming, enterprise and heritage.
The 'Rural Oscars' are now in their 17th year. They are driven by public nomination, offering customers the chance to nominate their favourite businesses that they deem worthy of national acclaim.
Voting has opened and will run until Sunday, 10 February. The winners will be announced in February and March.
The Countryside Alliance Awards celebrate those businesses that go the extra mile and are the cornerstone of our rural communities.
It's great to see so many small businesses in the Borders nominated as finalists. It confirms again that the Borders is home to the best produce in the country.
I hope local people will rally behind local businesses to win a 'rural Oscar'. Good luck to all the finalists.
Countryside Alliance Awards Director Sarah Lee said: “We have been overwhelmed by nominations this year.
"The secret to the Rural Oscars’ popularity is that they honour the people involved in these businesses and not just their produce or services. They exist to sing the praises of those who work hard to keep our communities and
rural economy ticking, but don’t seek the spotlight.
"Our local produce is second to none and there are many community heroes and businesses worthy of national recognition.”
