May net award
Three are shortlisted in Lantra finals
A trio of youngsters who work outdoors have been recognised for their efforts.
Stirling trainees Gill Walker, Megan Simpson and Stuart McKinlay have been short-listed for Lantra Scotland’s Landbased and Aquaculture Learner of the Year Awards and will find out if they have won at a glittering ceremony in the Doubletree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro Hotel on Thursday March 2.
The awards, organised by Lantra Scotland, the sector skills council for the landbased, aquaculture and environmental industries, are now in their 15th year of celebrating the achievements of trainees within Scotland’s rural sector and encouraging employers to invest in the next generation of talent.
Megan, aged 20 from Aberfoyle, has completed an HNC and HND in Equine Studies at Scotland’s Rural College Oatridge Campus, and was awarded the ‘best student’ prize for both courses. Megan achieved her UKCC Level 1 coaching qualification and her excellent communication skills and passion for horses make her ideally suited to a coaching role. She has a particular interest in Equine Shiatsu therapy.
She said: “I was delighted to find out I’d been nominated and over the moon to get through as a finalist for the Lantra awards. I’ve had outstanding support from my lecturers at SRUC and I’m now really looking forward to the ceremony in March.”
Twnety-nine year-old Gill, originally from Balfron and now living in Glasgow, has been doing an SVQ Level 2 in Environmental Conservation through the Cairngorms Outdoors Access Trust near Balloch. Based in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, the project focuses on repairing, refurbishing and constructing upland paths, as well as surveying and habitat management. Going forward, Gill wants to continue volunteering with the National Park and The Woodland Trust. She’s also involved with The Great Trossachs Forest Project and non-native invasive species removal with The Countryside Trust, RSPB and SNH.
She said: “It’s a real honour to be nominated and nice to know all the hard work I put in has been appreciated by my boss. It’s a massive extra boost to my confidence getting through to the final, I’m really looking forward to it. It’ll be nice to see everyone else there and hear what they’ve been nominated for.”
Stuart, aged 22 from Deanston, is undertaking an SVQ in Environmental Conservation at the Oatridge campus, while working as an Apprentice Fisheries Bailiff at Stirling Council Fisheries. His main role is to protect and conserve migratory fish stocks on the Rivers Forth and Teith. Stuart has already been involved in several high profile open days to launch the salmon season.
He said: “I’m absolutely over the moon about getting this far. I’ve had great support from my boss and the rest of the team and I’m really proud that all my hard work is being recognised. To get through to the final of the Lantra awards is fantastic and I’m really looking forward to the event itself.”