FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Faldonside Eco shortlisted for prestigious Nature of Scotland Business for Nature Award
Scottish Borders regenerative rural enterprise recognised for putting nature recovery at the heart of its business
Faldonside, Scottish Borders – September 2026 – Faldonside Eco has been shortlisted for the Business for Nature Award at the 2026 Nature of Scotland Awards, recognising the work being carried out at the family-run regenerative rural enterprise near Melrose.
The Nature of Scotland Awards, organised by the RSPB, celebrate people, projects, partnerships and businesses working to protect Scotland’s natural heritage. The Business for Nature Award, sponsored by NatureScot, recognises businesses demonstrating a whole-business approach to helping nature.
Established in 2024, Faldonside Eco, an estate run by three generations of the same family, is developing a working example of how nature restoration, sustainable food production, renewable energy, education and rural enterprise can operate together.
More than 50 acres of the Faldonside Estate are currently under active ecological restoration and regenerative land management, including 20 acres of wildflower meadow, 30 acres of riparian woodland and 300 metres of native hedgerow. The project has also seen 2,000 native trees planted, alongside a strict no-chemicals approach across the estate.
Nature recovery is integrated into the wider business model, which includes a permaculture market garden, educational visits and practical training, event space, land-based products and plans for accommodation. Faldonside has also invested in low-carbon infrastructure including a 40kW solar meadow, battery storage, ground-source heating and rainwater harvesting.
Dr Karen Blackport, Director, Faldonside Eco, said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for the Nature of Scotland Awards. We’re a small, family-run business, so to have the work at Faldonside recognised alongside organisations from across Scotland is a huge honour.
“For us, nature recovery isn’t something separate from the business — it is at the heart of what we are trying to build. We want to demonstrate that restoring habitats, producing food, reducing our environmental impact and creating opportunities for people to learn and reconnect with nature can all be part of a viable rural business.
“There is still a huge amount to do, but seeing the changes across the estate and the response from visitors, volunteers and our local community gives us real encouragement for the future.”
Faldonside Eco also operates as a live learning environment, with courses, educational visits and practical experiences focused on permaculture, sustainable food systems, forest schools, biodiversity recovery, low-impact living and reconnecting people with nature. The aim is for people to take what they learn at Faldonside back into their own homes, businesses and communities.
The Nature of Scotland Awards ceremony will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on Thursday 19 November 2026.
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Faldonside Eco
Faldonside Eco is a family-run regenerative rural enterprise in the Scottish Borders, established in 2024. The business combines nature restoration, renewable energy, regenerative food production, education and diversified rural enterprise, with more than 50 acres under active restoration and regenerative management.
The long-term ambition is to demonstrate a practical and replicable model of rural enterprise in which environmental, social and economic benefits can be delivered together.
Media contact:
Dr Karen Blackport
Faldonside Eco
Faldonside House, near Melrose, Scottish Borders
Email: karen@faldonsideeco.com
Website: https://www.faldonsideeco.com
