An East Lothian estate has received a prestigious award to recognise its ongoing work in wildlife management and conservation.

The Hopes Estate, at Gifford, received the Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) accreditation, during a presentation at the Scottish Games Fair at Scone Palace this month.

Estates have to undergo a rigorous assessment of their standard of excellence in land and sporting management, to enhance wildlife conservation and encourage biodiversity.

Robbie Douglas Miller, chairman of the WES project, who owns The Hopes Estate, collected the accreditation award from David Johnstone, chairman of Scottish Land & Estates.

Four other Scottish estates were also given the award.

Mr Douglas Miller said: “We have been delighted with the progress of Wildlife Estates Scotland since its inception in 2010 and these awards demonstrate the desire amongst many of Scotland’s rural landowners to embrace best practice for the future of our wildlife and natural habitat.” WES was founded by Scottish Land & Estates with support from Scottish Natural Heritage, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland and the Cairngorms National Park Authority. Mr Johnstone said: “The estates recognised are making wonderful efforts to balance their businesses with the enhancement of wildlife and the natural habitat and we hope their work will play a key role in leaving an improved legacy for future generations.”