NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Use 24 November 2009 PERTHSHIRE FINALISTS IN SCOTTISH COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE AWARDS Perthshire businesses and notables have been short-listed for the Scottish Countryside Alliance Awards 2009, which takes place on 8th December 2009 in the Scottish Parliament, and MSP Murdo Fraser has already deemed Perthshire as the real winner due to the high calibre of nominees from the area. For the category of ‘Best Local Food Award’, Carse Finest Produce in Errol is one of four businesses short-listed. For ‘Best Village Shop or Post Office’, Bridge of Cally Stores in Blairgowrie is one of five businesses short-listed. Finally, 15 people across Scotland have been nominated for the ‘Rural Hero’ award, including Sally Crystal (Aberfeldy), Jim Fairlie (Bridge of Earn) and John Monteith (Dunkeld). The Scottish Countryside Alliance is running the national Awards competition to find the local businesses and individuals who go that extra mile to serve their communities. More information can be found at: www.scottishcountrysideallianceawards.co.uk Commenting, Murdo said: “I congratulate the Carse Finest Produce and Bridge of Cally Stores for being short-listed for the Scottish Countryside Alliance Awards. Sally Crystal, Jim Fairlie and John Monteith have all been nominated for the ‘Rural Hero’ award .They all merit being short-listed and this underlines the important work and commitment that they have for our rural communities here in Perthshire. “The success of these businesses and individuals in being short-listed in these national awards shows that Perthshire has real quality and class. This is a great opportunity to showcase to the rest of Scotland and the United Kingdom the best that our local area has to offer. “It is excellent that the Scottish Countryside Alliance is celebrating the quality of local and independent rural retailers. I believe that rural retailers are ambassadors for using local produce as well as serving and representing their communities. Some rural retailers are central to their small community and it is great to see Perthshire businesses and individuals being short-listed for the Finals.” ENDS   back to top of page