THREE FINALISTS have been named for 2017's Golden Plover Award for Moorland Management.

West coast sporting estate Ardnamurchan, Sutherland's Reay Forest, and Skye's Fearann Eilean Iarmain estate are all in the running for the Heather Trust and Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust award, which is presented annually to recognise "progressive, practical and sustainable"moorland management in Scotland.

This year, the award has focused on the north and west of Scotland, appealing to landholdings that have shown a dedicated level of commitment to integrated land use. After several years in the eastern Highlands, the 2017 applicants embraced diverse issues such as upland fisheries, rural employment, conservation, peatland, deer management and crofting.

- Ardnamurchan is a ten thousand hectare sporting estate with a balanced approach to deer management, agriculture and tourism;

- Reay Forest has established a strong reputation for carefully integrated work between interests such as conservation, deer stalking and renewable energy;

- Fearann Eilean Iarmain links traditional land management with crofting, a distillery and support for a thriving gaelic culture.

Heather Trust director Simon Thorp commented: "We had some really positive interest in the Award this year from estates and projects in the north highlands and up and down the west coast. We believe we've chosen a strong, diverse spread of applicants to go forward as finalists, and we look forward to learning more about their work in the next few weeks."

Speaking from sponsors Lindsays, head of rural services Michael Yellowlees added: "We are delighted to be supporting the Golden Plover Award again this year and to see such progressive work being recognized on estates across this area.

"We are particularly interested in the focus of this years’ award given our longstanding relationships with clients in the Highlands and Islands. Before the Second World War Lindsays acted as factors and solicitors for numerous landed estate clients in that area and in the post-war era served these clients through the West Highlands Estates Office in Fort William."

To decide the overall winner, site visits will take place this month and next, and judge Adam Smith, who is director of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust in Scotland, said that he was looking forward to heading out on the road.

"All those on the shortlist have a strong case to be the Golden Plover winner this year, but there can only be one that takes the prize," said Mr Smith. "This award continues to go from strength to strength and we look forward to announcing the result for 2017 on June 30 at the GWCT Scottish Game Fair at Scone Palace."