OATRIDGE AGRICULTURAL College is soon to celebrate its 50th anniversary and to mark the occasion, SRUC is looking to hear from former students and staff about their memories and subsequent achievements.

Established as a further education college specialising in agriculture and rural skills training in Ecclesmachan, West Lothian, in 1969, Oatridge had an initial intake of 45 residential students and 100 day students.

During that period it was Scotland's first local authority residential college for further education in agriculture, with the courses initially taught in temporary accommodation on the farm site.

The new college buildings complete with workshops and accommodation, were paid a royal visit by HRH Prince Philip in 1974, and provided facilities for courses in agriculture, agricultural engineering, green keeping, horse care and forestry.

Today, Oatridge has more than 500 students and continues to teach courses ranging from agriculture, animal care and equine studies to countryside management, land-based engineering and horticulture.

Dean of the SRUC's Central Faculty, Professor David Hopkins, said: “SRUC has been at the heart of the rural community in West Lothian for half a century. As part of our celebrations, we are looking for former students and staff to share their memories and achievements since leaving.”