GRETNA Green Ltd has been presented 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 for the business, which exports traditional Scottish produce, such as cashmere, to more than 55 countries worldwide, 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.

The fourth-generation family business was founded more than 135 years ago, starting up with the world-famous Blacksmith’s shop in 1855.

This week, Fiona Armstrong, Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries and Galloway, on behalf of the Queen, presented the award to one of the family directors, Susan Houston.

They stated online: “We are so proud and honoured for the recognition of our outstanding, short-term growth in global sales to overseas customers, over the last three years, and we could not have done it without all of our wonderful international visitors and online shopping customers. Thank you!

They added: “We cannot wait for the chance to celebrate properly.”