Farming’s Future Award
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The finalists
John McCulloch
Heather McGee, Beinn Fraoich Farm
2025 Winner
Thomas Murdoch
Thomas Murdoch receives the Farming’s Future Award for his clear and ambitious vision for the future of his business. He impressed judges with well-defined short, medium, and long-term goals, and a strong grasp of industry challenges and public perception. Thomas’s proactive approach, seeking, evaluating, and implementing opportunities, has significantly contributed to the success and growth of their core farming business.
2025 Runners up
Alistair Brunton
Past Winners
2024 Future Farmer Award: James Hamilton
I was brought up on a mixed farm at Strathaven, where my grandpa, dad and younger brother still farm. I currently farm at Gilmeadowland farm, Linlithgow, a mixed beef sheep and arable farm. It is a 240-acre tenanted farm on the Callendar estate, which has now been in my mum’s side of the family for 400 years. I took over from my grandfather in 2013. On top of this I have another 170 acres of seasonal lets. I run 70 Aberdeen Angus cross cows, breeding my own replacements and the rest to Charolais bulls. There are also 450 Cheviot mule and Texel cross breeding sheep put to home bred Texel and Beltex tups and I grow 75 acres of feed barley to finish the calves and another 30 or so bought in stores. I also enjoy getting out and about, doing some contracting with our combination baler and working at Lanark mart, as well as having been actively involved in young farmers. I’m surprised and honoured to be involved in the awards, and look forward to cheering on all the winners on the night.
2024 Finalists
Andrew Hiddleston
Ben Best
James Hamilton
Nicola Wordie
2024 Future Farmer Award: James Hamilton
I was brought up on a mixed farm at Strathaven, where my grandpa, dad and younger brother still farm. I currently farm at Gilmeadowland farm, Linlithgow, a mixed beef sheep and arable farm. It is a 240-acre tenanted farm on the Callendar estate, which has now been in my mum’s side of the family for 400 years. I took over from my grandfather in 2013. On top of this I have another 170 acres of seasonal lets. I run 70 Aberdeen Angus cross cows, breeding my own replacements and the rest to Charolais bulls. There are also 450 Cheviot mule and Texel cross breeding sheep put to home bred Texel and Beltex tups and I grow 75 acres of feed barley to finish the calves and another 30 or so bought in stores. I also enjoy getting out and about, doing some contracting with our combination baler and working at Lanark mart, as well as having been actively involved in young farmers. I’m surprised and honoured to be involved in the awards, and look forward to cheering on all the winners on the night.
2024 Finalists
Andrew Hiddleston
Ben Best
James Hamilton
Nicola Wordie
