The prestigious Argyll and the Islands Stalwart Award for 2025 has gone to Euan Warnock, a well-known and much respected figure throughout the farming and crofting community of Argyll and beyond.
Launched in January 2016, the annual Argyll and the Islands Stalwart Award recognises the notable contribution to NFU Scotland and farming in region made by well-known Mull farmers Bert Leitch, from Lagganulva, and Lachlan MacLean, from Knock – both of whom sadly passed away in 2015. It recognises those who have given time and effort to the work of the Union in Argyll and the Islands or have made a significant contribution to agriculture in the area.
At the recent regional AGM, Group Secretary Euan Warnock was declared the 2025 winner. The announcement, made by Regional Vice Chairs Sybil Macpherson and David Colthart, was part of a double celebration for Euan with NFU Scotland Chief Executive John Davidson also attending the event to present Euan with a gift and certificate to mark his 30-year anniversary working for NFU Scotland and NFU Mutual.
In presenting the award, Mr Colthart said: “Euan is very worth recipient of this prestigious award. He is someone who has made a significant impact to many aspects of our industry across Argyll and the Islands for more than 30 years. Not only in an official capacity, but also with considerable involvement in many other aspects of life and work throughout the region. He played an important role in the setting up of the Argyll Agricultural Forum and was influential in the formation of the Royal Highland Educational Trust in Argyll, serving as the local Chair – a role that has seen him raise funds and host educational visits for schoolchildren to his own farm.
“With ferries so important to the region, he has played a pivotal role in many meetings with Cal Mac and Government ministers in a sterling effort to alleviate the unacceptable ferry provision situation which impacts many islanders.
“For many years, he has campaigned tirelessly on behalf of members affected by the introduction of sea eagle and, more recently, he became one of the first members of the Argyll Sea Eagle Stakeholder group, constantly highlighting the impact the birds are having on farmers and crofters.
“Other local businesses including Oban Livestock Centre and Mull slaughterhouse have benefitted from Euan’s commitment.
“Most importantly, on behalf of NFU Scotland and NFU Mutual, he has tirelessly served Bute, Cowal, Mull, Lochaber and Sunart and Lorn branches as Group Secretary, even stepping up to chair his local Lorn branch. He has been an incredible servant to farmers and crofters in the region for decades.”
Notes to editors
- A photo of Argyll and the Islands Stalwart Award winner Euan Warnock receiving his award from regional vice chair David Colthart is attached.
- The Stalwart award was created in 2016 in recognition and memory of the dedication shown by Mull’s Bert Leitch and Lachlan MacLean, who represented farmers and crofters both regionally and nationally for many years and passed away in 2015. It is presented annually to either a NFUS member who has followed in their footsteps and given time and effort to the work of the Union in Argyll and the Islands or someone who has made a significant contribution to agriculture in the area.
- The inaugural winner in 2017 was Dalmally farmer Sybil MacPherson; the 2018 winner was the late Ronnie Campbell, a Mull crofter; the 2019 winner was the late Sandy McKirdy from Bute; the 2020 winners were haulage experts Donnie and Kate McKerral; the 2021 winner was Dougie Ford from Inveraray, who has spent a lifetime encouraging new entrants into the industry and the 2022 recipient was long-serving NFUS secretary Susan Lamont from Tiree. The 2023 winner was haulage legend Ian Connor, and the 2024 winner was Mid Argyll NFU Scotland branch stalwart John Semple.
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Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006