Head to the hills for top class tuition - SCAET Bursary available

2nd February 2008

The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust Limited Grouse & Hillkeepers' Course is widely regarded as one of the best practical and participative upland management courses in the UK, and it returns to the Angus Glens this spring.

Held every two years, the five-day course will take place on the Invermark Estate by kind permission of Lord Dalhousie on 21st to 25th April 2008. The course offers a superb programme of talks, demonstrations, discussions and practical participative training plus the opportunity to meet countryside management experts.

The Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust will once again be offering a full bursary for one delegate to attend this excellent course which attracts participants from across the UK.

Nicola Chalmers-Watson, Director of the Trust, says: "The Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust is dedicated to providing opportunities for young people to access training and find employment in rural Scotland. We are delighted again to be offering a bursary place on this excellent course for someone who would otherwise be unable to take part."

The course is geared for both aspiring high-ground keepers and those with some experience - it will include tutorials on heather burning, red and black grouse habitats, counting grouse, tick control, strongyle worm counting, rivers and fish, hill deer cull planning, firearms and deer law, Deer Management Qualification Level 1 practice shoot, deer carcass preparation, hill predator control techniques, bracken control and more!

Past participants have said of the training resource:

"The subjects covered in the course were far reaching and, in my opinion, touched upon almost every aspect of moorland management and hill 'keepering. It was an eye opener to see the range of subjects that need addressing to maintain and manage our heather uplands."

"A good balance was struck between practical, hands-on sessions and the very necessary lecture room subjects and, of course, no better setting could have been found than the beautifully tended, Invermark Estate."

"I would heartily recommend your course to any young keepers, those aspiring to the post and others with an interest in the maintenance of moorland and good sport."

The SCAET bursary will cover the full costs of the course (including accommodation) for one individual. To apply for the bursary, please email Nicola Chalmers-Watson on nicola[AT]scaet.org.uk or write to Nicola Chalmers-Watson, Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust, West Mains Cottage, Royal Highland Showground, Ingliston, Edinburgh EH28 8NF stating why you think you should receive support.

Closing date for bursary applications is 14 March 2008.

The full tuition fee for the five days is £460 including VAT - this does not include the accommodation costs. Full accommodation is available on the estate however. For more information, please contact Lynda Ferguson, tel: 01425 651013, email: lferguson[AT]gct.org.uk