Scotsman chef Macdonald wins NFUS ambassador award

THE National Farmers' Union Scotland (NFUS) has presented its ambassador award to "Scotland's favourite cook".

Lady Claire Macdonald, The Scotsman Magazine's food writer, is the first recipient of the award who is "purely involved in the food rather than farming sector".

Macdonald and her husband - Lord Macdonald, high chief of Clan Donald - run the Kinloch Lodge luxury hotel on Skye.

NFUS communications director Bob Carruth said: "Lady Claire fits the remit of the award perfectly. A long-standing supporter of Scottish food, Claire works tirelessly promoting Scottish produce through her associations with the Scottish Farmers' Markets, Scottish Food Fortnight and the Royal Highland Show amongst other initiatives."

Macdonald said: "It is a true honour to accept this accolade. However, it is not an award about one person. There is a fantastic team of hard-working and talented individuals without whom Scotland's ingredients would be nothing unusual.

"My respect for the farmers, crofters and fishermen continues to grow and these people are all too often the invisible food heroes of Scotland."

Macdonald is a patron of the Scottish Association of Farmers' Markets and Scottish Food Fortnight.