A community champion at the heart of life in Moffat has been crowned a High Street Hero.
Artist and entrepreneur Linnhe Cringean is one of the driving forces behind the town’s major events – from its superb Duck Race Fun Day to the magical Christmas Lights Festival.
For more than 20 years, her dedication and determination has not only been credited with boosting business by growing Moffat’s reputation as a go-to town, but with making the community better.
Those efforts have been recognised and rewarded as the South of Scotland’s High Street Hero in the 2024 Scotland Loves Local Awards.
Linnhe is the chair of Moffat Promotions Group (MPG), as well as being one of the businesswomen behind 17 Reasons, the Well Street gift shop which provides a platform for local designers and makers.
Her award nomination highlighted how she speaks up for the town.
It stated: “Scottish rural communities need good schools, employment – often involving tourism and the arts – and a sense of community to thrive. Linnhe has led in all three of these areas in Moffat.
“She is humble, but also determined, organised, observant and caring. Moffat would not be the award-winning, bustling, vibrant town that it is without her endeavours.
“Linnhe fits in her voluntary work around her business, her family and role as an unpaid carer. We suspect she may have more hours in her day than the rest of us!”
The mum-of-two, who has lived in Moffat since 1994, first became involved in community life as part of the Babes and Tots group with a natural progression on to Moffat Academy Parent Teacher Association. She also volunteered in the town’s Oxfam shop, with her work growing from there.
A talented painter, sewer, and crafter, she got to know other makers at markets she attended until an MS diagnosis made participation difficult, leading to her joining forces with friends Lydia Larmour and Alexis Johnston and launching 17 Reasons in 2014.
Reacting to her award, Linnhe said: “This is completely out of the blue – a total surprise.
“I’ve always tried to get involved with voluntary work. I feel that if you are part of the community, and get something out of it, then you should give something back. And you really do get out what you put in.
“I love the camaraderie of being involved. Moffat Promotions Group has been so successful, they are a fabulous team to work with, and I get a lot of joy out of being part of it all.”
Linnhe, who is also a member of Moffat Gala Committee, joined MPG in 2014, becoming chair four years later.
The committee has responded to the needs of the community to help keep Moffat on the map and encouraging local people to support businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic, cost of living crisis and the evolving impact of social media on tourism.
MPG events showcase local people, organisations, businesses and musicians, including the Moffat Duck Race Fun Day in Station Park, Mass Garage Sale, Picnic in the Park and the Midsummer Market.
The Christmas Lights Festival has become a highlight of the year, drawing large numbers of people to the town. It features Santa abseiling down a church tower and walking up the High Street, chatting with the children, before switching on the Christmas Lights. Last year’s event featured more than 55 stalls.
Linnhe added: “Moffat is such a community-orientated town.
“We have a population of just over 2,500 and, at one point, there were around 60 different groups. People here like to get on and get things done.”
The Scotland Loves Local Awards are organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP). They recognise and reward all that’s great about the nation’s towns and neighbourhoods and the work being done to ensure they become stronger and more sustainable.
Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s Chief Officer, said: “It’s devotion like Linnhe’s – and the collaborative community spirit it helps to create – which lies at the heart of creating a better future for our towns.
“Our judges were in no doubt that the many ways in which her work has benefited businesses in Moffat – encouraging locals and visitors alike to get behind them – makes her a real High Street Hero.”
Spearheaded by STP and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the movement encouraging people to create a better future for their community by choosing local. This is the fourth year in which the awards have been held.
You can read more about the Scotland Loves Local Awards here
