Rory Young

Winner of the 2024 Environmental Sustainability Award

About Rory:

Rory began the diversification of his family farm in 1999, starting off with a small field of Fraser firs. More than 25 years later, year on year growth has seen the business develop into a major player in the Christmas tree market with the trees now representing a significant part of the overall annual farming enterprise turnover.

From small beginnings the Scottish Christmas Trees business now uses 105 hectares on the farm with 600,000 trees growing at any one time. The Christmas tree plantations are a haven for a wide variety of wildlife including mice, voles, shrews, badgers, butterflies, and spiders. There are also a variety of birds including sky larks and birds of prey, which are seen hunting in the plantations. 

The main livestock enterprise is 1000 commercial ewes with an additional 150 Shropshire sheep which selectively graze in the Christmas tree plantations without damaging the trees. This environmentally friendly approach replaces the need to use machinery to cut the grass or apply chemicals to suppress its growth. The Solway Free Range Eggs business has 128,000 free range hens in modern Big Dutchman units.

The farm generates a considerable amount of energy from a variety of sources including 1500kw from three wind turbines, 500kw from solar panels and 3500kw from water source heat pumps. The energy generated is principally used by the poultry units and the aim is for the farm to reach a net zero position. The farm business is also adopting a more regenerative approach to managing the land and the crops grown.

What the judges said:

“Rory demonstrates the all-encompassing approach farm business owners can take towards ensuring they are environmentally sustainable and with his drive and passion he is well worthy of this nomination.” 

What Rory said:

"It’s a great honour to be given an award by such a well-known organisation. It’s certainly a pat on the back for all the hard work that the team have done over the years.”