Yesterday 30 April the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and Royal Highland Education Trust Perth and Kinross (RHET) held a rural education day at Findynate Estate, Strathtay, Perthshire.
The day was sponsored by CR Smith, RHET and BASC Scotland with significant input and support also from Findynate.
The event was attended by around 70 pupils from the Primary 5 and 6 class years from five local Perthshire schools. At a number of stations around the estate pupils heard short talks and saw demonstrations about the importance of woodland and forestry, what’s involved in moorland management, what a gamekeeper does, some basic game cookery, farming for sheep and cattle, and the importance and delivery of conservation in the countryside.
Iona Laing, GWCT’s events and education officer in Scotland said:
“It was clear to see how much the youngsters enjoyed their time on the beautiful Findynate estate - and hopefully learned a little about our countryside in the process. Events like this are vital in fostering an interest and understanding among the younger generation about what happens in rural Scotland and why - and might even encourage some to think about a future career in the rural sector.
“We are grateful to the sponsors of the event, CR Smith, RHET and BASC Scotland, to RHET Perth and Kinross, and to our hosts Findynate Estate for all their input and support and, of course, the schools and youngsters who took part.”
Tara Clark, RHET Perth and Kinross, said:
“We are delighted to be co-organisers of this event at such a special location at Findynate. We have been linking with schools across Perth and Kinross and have been able to take more pupils than ever before onto farms and estates with the support of volunteers and our hosts.”
Gerard Eadie CBE, CR Smith's Chairman, said:
"I have always strongly backed education and training for young people in all sectors as it is important they understand there are different types of employment and not just inside an office.
“There are a lot of young people that don’t necessarily think about jobs until later in life. However, it is essential for them to get an awareness that there are jobs everywhere, doing many different things.
“The day at Findynate Estate will have inspired the children, providing a real insight into what it takes to manage the countryside around them and maybe a possible career they might pursue."
Peter Clark, Director, BASC Scotland, said:
“BASC is always delighted to support countryside education, through Estates that Educate and the GWCT-RHET day, as the next generation will be vital to managing Scotland's land. “Through showing the youngsters the importance of moorland management right through to conservation, we are inspiring them to learn more about rural Scotland. “We aim to further educate people on the different opportunities that are out here, whilst promoting shooting and conservation".
“We have a jam-packed calendar of Estates That Educate events ahead to deliver exactly that.”
Photo caption: Learning from the expert - youngsters with Findynate gamekeeper Levi Bird. Photo: Craig Somerville
Issued on behalf of the Game and Wildlife Trust in Scotland by: Dick Playfair Playfair Walker Tel: 0131 445 5570 richard@playfairwalker.com
For further information about CR Smith see www.crsmith.co.uk
For further information about RHET and their events see www.rhet.org.uk
For further information about GWCT see www.gwct.org.uk/scotland/