Fun at the farm for Cullen kids

A DAY in the life of a rural estate was in the spotlight for kids from Cullen Primary recently.

Sixty-two youngsters from the school were joined by 40 pupils from Fordyce School at Seafield and Strathspey Estates' Rural Skills Day on Friday, March 24.

The event provided an opportunity for the children to learn about the work that takes place on the estate, the habitats and species that are managed as part of that, and to meet the people who manage and protect these areas to encourage them to consider a career in the rural sector.

All aspects of estate business were discussed and demonstrated at Home Farm steading and surrounding woodland, including arable and livestock agriculture, deer management, falconry, gamekeeping, forestry, timber harvesting, wildfire protection and wildlife crime.

The kids were treated to demonstrations and talks from Seafield Estate staff with support from contractors and tenants, the Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and Speyside Falconry. Various emergency situations were also discussed and how they are handled.

The estate talked about land managers' and gamekeepers' assistance in wildfire and showed the type of resources the estate uses in moorland management and how this can help in partnership with the Fire and Rescue Service at rural fire incidents.

Another similar event is planned for Strathspey Estate later in the year.

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