SCHOOL PUPILS from across Scotland have taken part in a residential rural skills course on Auchnafree Estate, organised by Countryside Learning Scotland.

25 pupils, from senior four and senior five, took part in what was the first residential version of the SCQF level 4 Rural Skills Course. For some pupils, it was their very first day on a farm, but by the end of the course, they were confidently couping ewes to check their feet and teeth.

During the week, pupils completed are variety of estate maintenance tasks including tree planting and drystane walling on Kinnaird Estate, but the standout highlight for the majority of the pupils was learning husbandry techniques from working with the resident shepherds and getting the opportunity to work closely with the sheep.

The participants were also treated to a wonderful sheep dog demonstration and events culminated in a stock judging competition which was won by a pupil from Bellshill Academy.

Prior to coming on the residential week, the pupils took part in two school workshops where they studied the land-based industries. Several of the pupils on the course, not from a rural background, expressed an interest in a career in the land-based industries and Countryside Learning Scotland are arranging work experience for these individuals.

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