TWO MAJOR awards were made at the NFUS agm – the John Miskelly award went to Isle of Mull farmer, Bert Leitch, for his dedication and commitment to NFUS over a 30-year period, and the other, the NFUS ambassador award, went posthumously to well-known Scottish agricultural journalist, Dan Buglass, who died last October.

The award to Mr Leitch, of Lagganulva Farm, was established in memory of Mr Miskelly, who served as regional manager with the union in the North-east and was an inspirational figure to the farming industry. It was given by his family following his death in 2006.

Presenting the award, NFUS president Jim McLaren said Mr Leitch was a fantastic example of an ordinary hard-working hilll farmer who had put considerable time aside to represent the interests of his fellow farmers and promote an industry he was proud to be a part of.

Mr Leitch is chairman of the Argyll and the Islands regional board, a member of the union’s Crofting, Highlands and Islands committee and has been at the forefront of crucial issues such as LFASS and LMOs.

Said Mr McLaren: “Only last year Bert was involved in activity which saw the cabinet secretary Richard Lochhead and his officials visit Mull to discuss the importance of the continuation of active farming in the area.”

The ambassador award, established in 2009 and supported by NFU Mutual, was collected by Dan Buglass’ son, Andrew, who leads the sales team at UK animal health firm, Merial. It was handed over by John Ross, a former union president and now regional chairman for the Mutual in Scotland.

A farmer turned reporter, Dan covered Scottish agriculture and rural affairs for television, radio, newspapers and magazines, including The Scottish Farmer, during a journalistic career that started in the 1960s.

His untimely death at the age of 64 came as he served as rural affairs editor for The Scotsman. Speaking at the award presentation, NFUS chief executive, James Withers, said: “Dan Buglass was a true friend to Scottish agriculture and the wider rural community. His writing was always fair and passionate and was a real force for good in the industry.”