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BASC delivers a packed month of youth engagement across Scotland
More than 1,500 young people engaged in education-based events throughout May.
Working with Tayside and Central Moorland Group and the Grampian Moorland Group, we delivered a dynamic month-long programme of youth engagement across Scotland. We reached more than 1,500 children with hands-on lessons in conservation, rural heritage, and field-to-fork food journeys.
The packed schedule spanned the length and breadth of the country, highlighting the vital connection between shooting, conservation and the rural way of life.
Bringing the countryside to the classroom
The month began with a major presence at the Border Union Schools Day, where nearly 1,100 primary school pupils from across the Scottish Borders region gathered for an immersive countryside experience. This event showcased food, farming, rural careers and countryside heritage, helping strengthen young people’s connection with the land.
Hill to grill: A hands-on journey from field to fork
At Lathallan School, more than 100 pupils participated in the jam-packed Hill to Grill day. This hands-on event began with learning about moorland and deer management, before students prepared and cooked venison burgers using wild meat donated by Glenkirlie Larder. The day illustrated the journey from sustainable land management to food on the plate, sparking important conversations about food provenance and sustainability.
Young Shots education event
A dedicated Young Shots Day at Gleneagles Shooting School introduced 14 boys and girls to clay pigeon and air rifle shooting. They also experienced hands-on conservation by building bird nesting boxes.
Exploring estates and native biodiversity
And lastly, more than 320 primary and secondary pupils from Aberdeenshire and Perthshire experienced four educational days at Abercairny and Invercauld Estates.
The activities focused on native species management, upland conservation, biodiversity and the role of shooting in sustaining Scotland’s unique landscapes.
These sessions were delivered in partnership with Scotland’s Regional Moorland Groups and form part of a long-running programme that has educated thousands of young people over the past eight years.
Deirdre Falconer, regional coordinator of the Grampian and Tayside moorland groups, said:
“We were thrilled to bring the pupils to Invercauld Estate, a champion of biodiversity and one of the most beautiful places in the country. Invercauld provides jobs and homes for rural communities while maintaining and enhancing the natural environment, making it an ideal location for young people to understand the importance of sustainable land management in Scotland.
“We want to provide the next generation with the skills to live and work in rural areas, helping to conserve our extraordinary native biodiversity.”
A lifelong commitment to education
BASC Scotland director Peter Clark said: “Whether it’s a Young Shots Day or a Hill to Grill experience, these education events showcase the very best of shooting and conservation, helping children and young people feel more connected to nature.
“We discuss food provenance, careers and biodiversity across all our events, and the feedback from children, parents and teachers is consistently positive.
“BASC has a lifelong commitment to education and outreach right across Scotland and the UK.
“Countryside and conservation education is essential if we are to nurture the next generation of custodians of the land. If we want rural Scotland to thrive, then programmes like these must continue to grow and provide invaluable insight into the rural sector.”
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