A PEEBLESSHIRE farm is celebrating after being awarded a £427,000 Scottish Government grant.

Glenrath, which is based in West Linton, is one of 13 organisations across the country to benefit from the £3.5 million programme, which aims to help businesses expand their operations.

The farm, run by Sir John Campbell and his family, is already the biggest business employer in the Borders and has an annual turnover well in excess of £50 million.

It produces, packs and sells almost 1.5 million eggs per day making it one of the UK’s leading egg suppliers.

And now it is hoped the company can get even bigger, with the additional cash set to be spent on egg processing equipment to double its capacity to access new markets in the food services sector.

Sir John started his career on a hill farm in Argyllshire at 15 along with his brother. They were so successful they were soon able to buy out the tenancy.

When he turned 27, he and his wife Cathy decided to go their own way and that’s when they moved to Peeblesshire and acquired Glenrath.

At the farm Sir John has taken an interest in developing young people who are just starting out in the industry.

And last year he launched a scheme that offers low-interest loans to young farmers wanting to start producing eggs on contract for the business.

The company now employs 240 staff.

Speaking about the grants, which were made last week, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “Scotland’s food and drink industry is a cornerstone of our economy, environment and culture, and the quality of our produce is world-renowned.

“Today we are announcing £3.5 million of new funding for 13 organisations across Scotland which will support sustainable cooperation and collaboration from primary production and processing to the market, so industry can continue to flourish.

“I congratulate each recipient of these awards, and wish them the best of luck for the future.”