The new Land Rover Discovery has been voted the Scottish Car of the Year for 2017 by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, including yours truly representing The Scottish Farmer and Newsquest Herald and Times.

Given the accolade at a glittering awards ceremony in Dalmahoy, near Edinburgh, last weekend, this is the second Scottish Car of the Year accolade for Discovery – the Discovery 4 won the title in 2009 and Land Rover added that one in four premium SUVs sold in its class in Scotland this year was a Land Rover Discovery.

“This latest Scottish Car of the Year accolade from the ASMW completed a hat-trick for Land Rover in Scotland during the last 10 years, with the Discovery 4 winning in 2009 and the Range Rover Evoque in 2011," said Jeremy Hicks, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover UK. "This is a hugely important market for Jaguar Land Rover and we are very proud of it.

"I’m also delighted to announce that in recognition of this award and as a thank you to the association and the people of Scotland for their support of Land Rover over the years, we will be donating a new Discovery to Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) for six months to help them during the winter months.”

Presenting the accolade to Land Rover, Stephen Park, president of the ASMW, said: “Nowhere in Great Britain are SUVs more relevant than in Scotland. Our rural terrain and harsh winters make four-wheel-drive ownership essential for many. There are a number of choices available that can deliver both luxury and off-road capabilities, but the Discovery goes notably further in both areas.”

Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance covers all of Scotland, reaching 90% of the population within 25 minutes and, since its launch in 2013, has responded to 1600 time-critical emergencies.