Fearn farming firm scoops award at London ceremony; agricultural specialist harvests Farmers Weekly accolade
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A ROSS-SHIRE farming business has scooped a top award at a ceremony in London.
Allan WJ Wilson Ltd, which is based in Fearn, was named as the contractor of the year at the annual Farmers Weekly awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel.
Mr Wilson said there were a total of 15 awards and his category originally had a shortlist of three but one of the nominees had dropped out.
The awards were presented by broadcaster Jeremy Vine and he said the TV presenter was "very nice".
He was seated near to the stage and there were 10 people, mainly family members, at his table. He added: "I was told if the table we were given was down at the front we had won. They put the prizewinners near the front to get them on stage quicker.
"One of the comments I've got is that 'it is nice for something to come to the north of Scotland'."
The presentations were made in front of an audience of 1200 people and Mr Wilson said their advantage was attention to detail and the adoption of new technology such as computers and GPS.
Allan WJ Wilson Ltd has been around for almost 40 years. It was set up in 1980, and Mr Wilson said they must be doing something right to have lasted for so long.
During the judging process they were visited by three judges and the interview lasted for three hours. He said: "If you win one year you are a judge for the next year. I think the judges were very impressed with the set up. Winning can't do us any harm but we are so busy I don't think we could take on much more work."
The firm specialises in agricultural and drainage work – including ploughing, sowing, baling, combining, as well as cutting and lifting silage.
They current run two combines, six tractors, a 360 digger, a 180 digger and a fork lift. Mr Wilson said: "If you think of any farm machinery we've probably got it here."
