Lochgilphead trio recognised at land and aquaculture awards

Kirsty is doing an SVQ in Trees and Timber at the Scottish School of Forestry UHI Inverness, while working as an Apprentice Crafts Person at Forestry and Land Scotland.

Marc is a Forest Management and Stewardship Forester in Lochgilphead.

Marc has mentored many apprentices and craftspeople over the years as a supervisor, forester and a stint with the Learning and Development team providing training courses up and down the country for all aspects of the forestry industry.

Aquaculture Learner of the Year joint runner-up was Lewis Henderson from Isle of Gigha.

Lewis is doing an SVQ in Aquaculture through UHI Shetland while working in Fish Husbandry for Bakkafrost Scotland.

Industry awards were made for agriculture, aquaculture, equine, game and wildlife, horticulture, land-based engineering, trees and timber and veterinary nursing.

The winners and runners-up for ALBAS 2025 were chosen by an independent judging panel made up of influential figures from across the land-based and aquaculture sector, chaired by Rebecca Dawes, Agri and Rural Communicator at JCM&Co and trustee of The Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth.

Industry awards were made for agriculture, aquaculture, equine, game and wildlife, horticulture, land-based engineering, trees and timber and veterinary nursing.

Dr Liz Barron-Majerik MBE MICFor, Scotland director, Lantra, commented: “It is a privilege to be part of the ALBAS and to help put the spotlight on some of the incredible people in Scotland’s land-based and aquaculture sector, while also encouraging employers to look ahead at their future workforce.

She continued: “Everyone who was nominated for our awards should be proud of that achievement, but with the standard of entries continuing to get better each year, it means that our winners tonight are quite simply the best of the best from our sector. As well as being important to Scotland’s rural economy, they also play a vital role in their local communities and in caring for the environment.”