Lantra Scotland announce finalists for ALBAS 25

Lantra Scotland is a charity which works to increase the number and diversity of employees in the land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation sector, and drive their skills development.

The ALBAS play a vital role in promoting careers within the rural sector, celebrating the achievements of learners and highlighting the importance to employers of investing in skills.

The evening will be hosted by Dr Jenna Ross OBE and Mike Duxbury of Inclusive Farm.Industry categories in the ALBAS cover animal care, aquaculture, equine, environmental conservation, fisheries management, game and wildlife, horticulture, land-based engineering, vet nursing and trees and timber.

As well as prizes for Overall Winner, Runner-up and Modern Apprentice of the Year, there are awards for Higher Education, School Pupil, Secondary Schools, Research Project, Mentor award, the Tam Tod Trophy for outstanding young learner, and the Anna Murray Award for Partnership Working. Finalists for ALBAS 2025 were selected by an independent judging panel made up of influential figures from across the sector, chaired by Rebecca Dawes, Agriculture and Rural Communicator at Jane Craigie Marketing and trustee of RSABI and The Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth. 

Finalists for ALBAS 2025:

• Ailie MacLeod from Kingussie is doing Skills for Work at Kingussie High School with UHI NHC;

• Alejandro Casabuena from Inverness is doing an HNC in Foresty at the Scottish School of Forestry, UHI Inverness while working for Scottish Woodlands;

• Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes has been working on a community biodiversity project;

• Borders College in the Scottish Borders is delivering a Pre-Apprenticeship course in agriculture in partnership with Borders Machinery Ring (BMR), and Tarff Valley; 

• Caitlin Gilhooly from Glasgow is doing a Lantra Work Based Learning Qualification in Veterinary Nursing at SRUC Oatridge while working as a student veterinary nurse for Taylor Veterinary Practice;

• Callum Adams from Newton Stewart in Wigtownshire is doing an Extended Diploma in Land-based Engineering at SRUC Barony while working as a land-based engineer for Gordons;

• Charlotte Masson from Markinch is doing an HNC in Horticulture at SRUC Elmwood;

• Derek Dunning from Lochgilphead is doing a Modern Apprenticeship at UHI Shetland while working in Fish Husbandry for Kames Fish Farm in Oban;

• Eilidh Geddes from Penicuik is doing a PhD in Agriculture at the University of Edinburgh;

• Eilidh Simmons from Ballindalloch in Banffshire is doing an HND in Equine Studies at SRUC Oatridge; 

• Emily Slater from Kirriemuir in Angus is doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Mixed Farming at SRUC Craibstone while working as an apprentice farmer for the James Hutton Institute;

• Fenna Whittaker from Glasgow is doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Gamekeeping at SRUC Elmwood while working as a Wildlife Ranger Apprentice at Forestry and Land Scotland;

• Findley Reid from Dumfries is doing an SVQ in Land-based Engineering (Forestry) at SRUC Barony while working for Jas P Wilson in Dalbeattie;

• Hannah Walsh from Glasgow is doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Agriculture – Livestock at SRUC Oatridge while working for Glasgow City Council;

• James Douglass from Edinburgh is doing a BSc in Horticulture at SRUC while working at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh;

• Kirsty Gibson from Lochgilphead in Argyll is doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Trees and Timber at the Scottish School of Forestry, UHI Inverness while working as an Apprentice Crafts Person at Forestry & Land Scotland;

• Lewis Henderson from Isle of Gigha is doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture at UHI Shetland while working in Fish Husbandry for Bakkafrost Scotland;

• Lucie Shand from Newton St. Boswells is doing an HND in Animal Care at Borders College; 

• Mary Collins from Glasgow is doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture at UHI Shetland while working in Fish Husbandry at Bakkafrost Scotland on the Isle of Gigha;

• Max Campbell from Newton Mearns in Glasgow is doing an SVQ in Greenkeeping at SRUC Elmwood while working as an Apprentice Greenkeeper at Prestwick Golf Club;

• Murray Henderson from Newton Stewart is doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Gamekeeping at SRUC Elmwood while working as a Wildlife Ranger Apprentice for Forestry and Land Scotland;

• Patricia Berakova from Edinburgh is doing an SVQ in Horticulture at SRUC Oatridge while working as a Horticulture Apprentice with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh;

• Robaidh Halliday from Portree on the Isle of Skye is doing an SVQ Level 9 in Aquaculture Management at UHI Shetland while working as a Site Manager for Organic Sea Harvest in Portree;

• Robert Stewart from Edinburgh is doing a PhD in Aquaculture at the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh; 

• Selkirk High School in the Scottish Borders has created a community woodland and orchard in Selkirk;

• South of Scotland Enterprise (SoSE), SRUC, Borders College, Scottish Funding Council is a partnership looking at how the education and skills system in the South of Scotland can be more responsive, integrated, inclusive and support economic recovery.

• Stewart Smith from Cromarty in the Highlands is doing an SVQ in Trees & Timber at the Scottish School of Forestry, UHI Inverness while working as an Apprentice Craftsperson with Forestry and Land Scotland;

• Zoe Barclay from Elgin in Moray is doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Equine at SRUC while working as an Apprentice Groom for Caskieben Dressage & Coaching Ltd in Aberdeen.

Dr Liz Barron-Majerik MBE MICFor, Director of Lantra Scotland commented: 

“Lantra Scotland’s ALBAS play an important role in the land-based and aquaculture sector, as they highlight the fantastic achievements of skilled and dedicated staff at different levels of their careers, from new entrants to career changers, while also showing employers, businesses and other organisations the benefits of skills development and partnership working. I’m delighted to say that we have again had a record number of entries in for the ALBAS, so congratulations to all those nominated and especial good luck to all the finalists at our ceremony in March. Thanks also to the independent industry figures who are our judges, to training providers and employers who submit the nominations, and of course to all of our generous supporters who make our event possible."

Tickets for the awards ceremony are available from Lantra Scotland on 01738 310164 or scotland@lantra.co.uk

Lantra’s work in Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government.

Lantra Scotland represents the skills interests of land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation businesses and organisations across Scotland and the UK. We promote the economic and environmental benefits of investing in skills, help to inform policies, provision and funding, and publicise the diverse careers available in the sector. Lantra also operates a commercial awarding organisation and network of training providers and instructors.