A COLLECTIVE set up to showcase work and community life in the remote glens of Angus has won a prestigious national Conservation award.

The Angus Glens Moorland Group, made up of local estates and farms, was set up in 2015 to engage with people about the importance of land and wildlife management.

On Thursday in Edinburgh, the group was crowned winner in the Conservation and Environment category at the Scottish Rural Awards, partnered by the Scottish Countryside Alliance and Scottish Field, in association with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.

Gamekeeper members of AGMG were recognised for their skill and graft in protecting globally rare heather habitats and red-listed moorland birds, whilst also providing economically valuable grouse shooting, deer stalking and angling.

Shepherds in the group also help in the fight against tick, which can spread Lyme Disease, by deploying hill sheep treated with acaricide in combination with bracken control.

AGMG, described at the ceremony in Our Dynamic Earth as a ‘shining example of people power’, has also introduced family care and homeless charities to game tasting by delivering free oven-ready game to the vulnerable.

“It was a great achievement to be nominated in the category for conservation and the environment," said AGMG member, gamekeeper Alistair Brown. "We did not expect to win because there were so many fantastic finalists. We feel very passionate about the countryside and the need for better education on what land and wildlife management delivers for species, environments, communities and in keeping employment and families in our glens. It is a real honour."

AGMG fought off stiff competition from runners-up The Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery Company Ltd and highly commended organic beef farm, CH and AK Walker, from Berwickshire.