Two Lanarkshire locals took home prizes at this year's Lantra Scotland’s Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills (ALBAS).
The awards took place at a ceremony at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dunblane Hydro on Thursday, March 3.
Taking home the prizes from Lanarkshire were 30-year-old Stephanie Wharrie from Wishaw and 49-year-old Charlotte Martin from Lanark.
Stephanie won the Equine Learner of the Year award at the ALBAS. The 30-year-old has been completing an Equido Level three at Ross Dhu Equestrian Limited, near Larkhall.
She said: "To win an award doing something you love is a great feeling. I was surprised to be nominated, so to go one step further is great for my confidence. I’d like to thank my tutors at Ross Dhu for their support and for nominating me for this great award.”
Charlotte picked up the SCQF Level 8 Higher Education Award after completing an HND in Countryside Management at SRUC Oatridge.
She said: “Having changed career to countryside management, getting to the ALBAS and winning an award has made all the hard work worthwhile. Thanks to everyone at SRUC Oatridge who has helped me on the way.”
Having taken place as a virtual event last year due to COVID restrictions, the ALBAS returned to Dunblane with over 180 finalists, event supporters, employers, training providers, industry leaders and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands Mairi Gougeon attending.
She said: “It was a great night spent honouring some hardworking and inspiring people across Scotland’s land-based and aquaculture sectors.
"I just want to put on record what a truly spectacular group of individuals we have in the finalists and winners. I’m so proud to see the incredible work they are already doing and look forward to seeing them all continue in their careers.”
The winners and runners-up for ALBAS 2022 were chosen by an independent judging panel made up of influential figures from across the land-based and aquaculture sector, chaired by Keith Paterson of Forestry and Land Scotland.
The awards are organised by Lantra, the sector skills council for the land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation industries.
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