Senior Phase student and High School pupil Ailie MacLeod shortlisted for LANTRA award

Kingussie High School pupil and UHI North, West and Hebrides Senior Phase student Ailie MacLeod has been named as a finalist at the annual Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills (ALBAS) run by LANTRA Scotland, which recognise outstanding achievement in the land-based sector.

Ailie (16), who has a strong passion for horses, has shown exceptional leadership and organisational skills throughout her time on the Skills for Work Rural Skills course and excelled in a business project, where students processed, marketed and sold venison at school. She has further developed these skills through her weekend work at an equestrian centre.

David Olds, Ailie’s lecturer, praised her dedication, saying: "Ailie is responsible, mature, and has outstanding leadership skills for someone so young. Her ability to take initiative and work with others has really set her apart. We are incredibly proud of her achievement and look forward to seeing where her skills take her in the future."

The Rural Skills course at UHI North, West and Hebrides is delivered to Senior Phase pupils in Halkirk, Stornoway, Kingussie and Grantown, and equips them with fundamental skills in the land-based industry, covering estate maintenance, animal husbandry, animal handling, and veterinary care.

LANTRA Scotland, a charity dedicated to promoting careers in the land-based, aquaculture, and environmental conservation sector, organises the ALBAS to celebrate the achievements of learners like Ailie and to highlight the importance of developing skills in the rural workforce.

Having attended the awards last year as a guest, Ailie is excited to return as a finalist this time. Looking ahead to the ALBAS awards night at Crieff Hydro Hotel on Thursday 6 March, she said: "I am delighted to be selected as a finalist at the ALBAS. I'm really looking forward to the awards ceremony – it’s going to be a great experience."

Senior Phase applications for 2025-26 are now open. Interested students can explore over 20 subject areas through various delivery modes, including on-campus, face-to-face, and online. Find out more at: https://www.nwh.uhi.ac.uk/schools.