A PEEBLESSHIRE farm owner is one of only two Scots to receive a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours list.

John Campbell, the founder of the Glenrath Farms empire in West Linton, has gained the recognition for his services to farming and charitable service to entrepreneurship.

The company is 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 and has now grown to be one of the UK’s leading egg suppliers.

An elated Sir John told us: “I am delighted. We got the letter about three weeks ago and I am very pleased to have been given it.
“I have been involved in many local things over the years, so this is an unbelievable honour.

“Especially because only two Scots have been knighted in the New Year’s Honours list with the other one, of course, being Andy Murray.

“I will be going to London within six months, but the date hasn’t been announced yet.

“But again I am delighted because it’s a great honour for me, my wife, my staff and the business. It is excellent for us.”

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 firm is managed by the family, with all of John and Cathy’s four children working for the company. Their eldest son Ian is now managing director.

Sir John added: “We are the biggest business employers in the Borders and the largest farming business in Scotland, and we employ 240 people. We just want to keep going and let the business grow.”

And this is not the only recognition Sir John has received for his hard work. 

He has won the UK Farm Business of the Year Award in the House of Commons, twice; has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Egg Commission; has received an honourary fellowship of Scotland’s Rural College and was awarded an OBE at the millennium for services to the farming industry.