M&S has recognised six exceptional farmers across the island at this year’s Royal Highland Show on Thursday 18th June.
These awards recognise the outstanding commitment to high welfare standards, sustainability, product excellence and regenerative farming practices.
Through its Plan A for Farming 2030 strategy, M&S continues to work closely with its Select Farmers to build long-term resilience across the agricultural sector. This includes supporting current and future generations of farmers to invest, innovate, and adopt more sustainable and regenerative farming practices, while ultimately continuing to provide the highest quality homegrown produce to M&S customers nationwide.
The 2026 Royal Highland Show winners represent a cross-section of the very best produce that goes into popular M&S products enjoyed year-round, including premium pork, Aberdeen Angus beef, Scottish lamb, Maris Piper potatoes, and Scottish salmon. Each winner has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to raising standards and delivering best-in-class farming.
Only at M&S Award: Dan Cranswick – Co. Yorkshire
Dan Cranswick, a manager at Cranswick Farming, has been named the winner of the ‘Only at M&S’ Award at the 2026 M&S Select Farm Awards, presented at the Royal Highland Show.
Yorkshire-based Cranswick Farming produces outdoor bred pork and plays an important role in delivering the high welfare and quality standards behind the Heritage Gold range.
Alongside producing premium pork, he has also championed several environmental initiatives on the farm, including work with Catchment Sensitive Farming and Severn Trent Water to improve water quality and reduce soil runoff, as well as biodiversity projects such as wildflower strip trials to support pollinators and wildlife.
Dan said: “It’s a real honour to receive this award from M&S. We take a huge amount of pride in producing high-quality pork and it’s great to see that recognised. Working on the Heritage Gold range is something we’re proud of because it reflects the care and standards that go into everything we do on the farm.”
Environmental Champion Award: H&M Farms Deanfoot – Co. Scottish Borders
Scott Wylie, Farm Manager at H&M Farms Deanfoot near Hawick, was presented with the Environmental Champion Award during a special ceremony at the Royal Highland Show.
The farm was recognised for its forward-thinking approach to sustainability and efficiency, combining traditional livestock farming with modern technology and environmental management.
H&M Farms Deanfoot, owned by the Manners family, supplies beef and lamb to M&S through Dunbia. The business runs 180 Aberdeen Angus cows and 1,100 ewes across 1,000 acres of predominantly grassland in the Scottish Borders, alongside homegrown barley and oats used to feed livestock.
Scott said: “We’re always looking at ways to improve efficiency while working alongside nature. Looking after the land properly is just as important as looking after the livestock because both are essential for the future of the farm. We’re very proud to receive this award from M&S and it is fantastic recognition for the whole team.”
Produce Excellence Award: Graham McEwan – Co. Arbroath
Graham McEwan of McEwan Farms has been named the winner of the Produce Excellence Award at the 2026 M&S Select Farm Awards for outstanding commitment to quality, reliability and excellence within the produce sector.
Graham was recognised for delivering exceptional Maris Piper potatoes for M&S during a particularly challenging growing season.
McEwan Farms played a critical role in maintaining supply continuity for M&S by significantly exceeding contractual commitments for Maris Piper potatoes at key points during the season. Despite widespread growing challenges across the sector, the farm consistently delivered strong crop quality and reliable supply throughout the year.
Graham McEwan said: “We’re very proud to receive this award from M&S. Farming always comes with challenges, particularly with the weather, but our focus is always on producing the best quality crop possible and delivering for customers. This recognition is a real credit to the whole team and the hard work they put in throughout the season.”
The Royal Countryside Fund Family Farm Award at the 2026 M&S Select Farm Award: The Harper family – Peeblesshire, Co. Scottish Borders
The Harper family of Southmains Farm, on the edge of Peeblesshire in the Scottish Borders, have been named winners of the Royal Countryside Fund Family Farm Award. They were recognised for their exceptional commitment to animal welfare, sustainability, and securing the future of British farming for generations to come.
Mark and Janet Harper, alongside their three sons Robbie, Joe and Alastair, run the 440-acre upland sheep farm in the heart of South Lanarkshire. The family manages a flock of 660 Suffolk cross ewes and mule ewes, supplying lamb to M&S through Dunbia.
The Harpers were recognised for their high welfare standards and continued investment in facilities and livestock management to create a resilient and sustainable farming business for the future.
Mark Harper said: “As a family, we’ve always believed that looking after our flock is the most important part of farming. When the animals are healthy and well cared for, everything else follows from that. We’re proud to receive this award from M&S and The Royal Countryside Fund – it means a lot to all of us as a family.”
Welfare Excellence Award: Hannah Bloomer and Lillee May – Shetland
Hannah Bloomer and Lillee May of Scottish Sea Farms have been named winners of the Welfare Excellence Award at the 2026 M&S Select Farm Awards.
Hannah and Lillee were recognised for their pioneering work leading Scottish Sea Farms’ dedicated plankton and jellyfish monitoring laboratory in Lerwick.
Scottish Sea Farms is one of Scotland’s largest salmon producers, operating freshwater hatcheries, marine farms and processing facilities across Scotland’s west coast, Orkney and Shetland. The business supplies premium salmon to M&S and employs around 650 people across its operations.
Hannah said: “We’re proud to receive this recognition from M&S. Fish health and welfare is at the centre of everything we do and it’s rewarding to see how the monitoring work can make a real difference on farm. The team works incredibly hard behind the scenes, and this award reflects that collective effort.”
The M&S Select Farm Awards are presented annually at the Royal Highland Show and celebrate the partnership between M&S and its dedicated network of Select Farmers across the UK and Ireland.
