GRETNA Green Ltd has received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category.

The Scottish family business gained the prestigious award for their outstanding growth in international sales over the past three years.

The award comes as welcome recognition to the business, which exports traditional Scottish produce such as cashmere to over 55 countries world-wide, as well as having a global 5-star graded visitor centre and brand.

The brand has a growing community of ex-pats as far as Australia buying products such as Scottish food online, to give them a taste of home.

The award is recognised as the most renowned and highest official award in British business and means that the company will be awarded a Queen’s Award emblem for five years, when the award is approved on Her Majesty’s birthday on April,21.

The fourth-generation family business was founded over 135 years ago, starting up with the world-famous Blacksmith’s shop in 1855, which is still a popular wedding destination for couples from all over the world.

On winning the award, Alasdair Houston, chairman said: “To win the UK’s most prestigious business award is a real morale boost for our team at a time when it has never felt more welcome, and it makes us even more determined to continue to elevate our brand, showcase Gretna Green to the world and celebrate and promote the unique culture of Scottish and UK Tourism.”

Mr Houston said although the timing was slightly bittersweet, after one of the most challenging years in the company’s history, with retail and hospitality being hit hard by Covid-19, he and his colleagues at Gretna Green were looking forward to welcoming back visitors.

The chairman thanked staff in particular, for their hard work and the resilience they had shown over the past year.

He said: “This prestigious award belongs to all my colleagues at all levels and in all divisions in our family business whose talents, commitment and loyalty I appreciate and for which I am grateful every day.”