I'm blown away! Helmsdale businesswoman thrilled by Rural Oscars win
Managers of a popular Helmsdale business are celebrating along with the wider community after scooping a major national award.
Fishing tackle and clothing shop Glencoast has won the Rural Enterprise category of the Scottish Countryside Alliance 2025 Awards - known as the ‘Rural Oscars’.
The awards shine a spotlight on individuals, businesses and initiatives that go the extra mile and contribute to the local economy.
The winners are chosen by public vote, with Glencoast competing against four other businesses from across Scotland. The shop achieved the distinction of receiving the most votes of any Scottish entrant in the awards.
Yvonne Grant, who runs Gencoast, was presented with the award by Countryside Alliance Scotland director Jake Swindells at a finalists’ ceremony held at Rooftops, the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, on Wednesday, March 12.
She was accompanied to the ceremony by her husband Graham, and her parents, Andy and Fiona Sutherland.
Afterwards, Mrs Grant thanked her supporters and said that she was “totally blown away” at the win and “completely overwhelmed” by the messages of congratulation she had received.
She said: “Thank you all for taking the time to vote and making this happen. When we walked into the room last Wednesday, I felt like a little fish in a very big pond.
“But you all did us proud! The most votes in Scotland! If they didn’t know where Helmsdale was, they do now, and it was all down to your votes.”
Glencoast will now go through to the national finals at the House of Lords in June.
