Tea Scotland wins important award for ‘pioneering’ work with tea

Tea Scotland, the organisation that brings together a group of tea growers in Scotland, has won the 2025 Pioneer Award from the internationally-recognised Leafies Tea Awards. The organisers said the Pioneer Award was given for ‘the inspirational work of so many authentic Scottish growers producing wonderful teas.’

The Leafies, the international awards celebrating the finest in artisan tea, are organised by the UK Tea Academy in London in partnership with Fortnum & Mason and shine a spotlight on outstanding producers around the world. 

Jennifer Wood, Director of the UK Tea Academy, organisers of the Leafies Awards, said: 

"Tea Scotland are a pioneering group of tea growers who manage to produce exceptional teas in a tough climate under testing conditions. This Pioneer Award from The Leafies 2025 brings well-deserved recognition to their optimism, dedication and achievement in creating delicious, world-class, award-winning teas year after year. We wish them continued success."

Responding to the news, Mike Hyatt, Chair of Tea Scotland, said:

"Tea Scotland is thrilled to receive this prestigious international award - it is important to recognise the hard work that tea growers in Scotland have put in over the last 10 years to establish tea as a viable crop in our demanding climate. As well as the individual members of Tea Scotland, I would also like to recognise the pioneering spirit of everyone growing, making and promoting tea across Scotland from Orkney in the north to Dumfries and Galloway in the South."

The citation for the 2025 Pioneer Award recognises the efforts of all growers, but comes with a special mention for two of our member tea gardens: Glen Caladh Tea and the Scottish Tea House, who were praised for their approach to quality and to environmental sustainability. 

The Scottish Tea House, near Lanark, run by Tea Scotland member Joanne Holley, also won an individual prize for their ‘The Angels’ Share’ black tea, which was Highly Commended in the Leafies. 

Responding to the win, Joanne said:

"I am truly honoured to achieve this Leafies Award for my tea The Angels’ Share. Every stage of producing this tea, from carefully tending the plants to handcrafting the finished leaves, is carried out with close attention to detail and quality. At Scottish Tea House, we farm organically and focus on sustainability, using practices that protect the environment and actively encourage  biodiversity. We are incredibly proud of this tea and very grateful for this acknowledgment." 

Glen Caladh Tea, nea Tighnabruaich in Argyll, is run by Islay Henderson, a former Chair of Tea Scotland. Islay said:

"I am delighted to receive a special mention for Glen Caladh Tea with respect to our efforts towards environmental sustainability. Tea being a crop with huge potential for biodiversity and carbon sequestration, we grow organic tea outside with this in mind. We're encouraged by the interest in regenerative techniques at these awards and it's a dream for me to bring an ethical tea product to the table with the Glen Caladh single estate tea we make in Argyll." 

The 2025 Pioneer Award will be received by Tea Scotland as part of the Leafies Awards ceremony on Friday 16th January at Fortnum & Mason in London.