A SHOP which opened less than two years ago has received the backing of an MSP in its bid to lift a ‘Rural Oscar’.

Carfrae Farm Shop, near Garvald, is one of four businesses in Scotland in the running for the Village Shop/Post Office prize at the Countryside Alliance Awards.

Now Craig Hoy MSP has backed the business for success at the awards, which celebrate British food and farming, enterprise and heritage through small businesses.

Mr Hoy visited the shop, which was opened by Trudi Cueto and her partner Eric Linklater in September 2022.

'Championing their success'

The South Scotland MSP said: “The Countryside Alliance Awards celebrate those businesses that go the extra mile and are the cornerstone of our rural communities.

“Carfrae Farm Shop reaching the regional finals is testament to the hard work and service they provide to their community.

“I will be following their progress with pride and will be championing their success.”

A public vote to find a winner is open until February 10 and the winners will be announced at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh on March 13.

Votes can be cast here

The farm shop is full of local products such as milk from Yester Farm Dairies, vegetables from Chapel Farm, Kilduff Rapeseed Oil and Station House Bakery goods.

Also in the running for the prize are Argyll’s Muasdale Stores, the Isle of Rum General Store, and Laide Post Office General Store and Filling Station, near Gairloch.

Trudi Cueto, from Carfrae Farm Shop, said: “We are thrilled to be finalists in the Countryside Alliance Awards, which is a reflection on our fantastic local community and the excellence of artisan products from so many local producers.”