Secondary pupils from Aboyne Academy descended in to Glen Tanar’s ancient pine forests on Deeside this week to take part in a Schools Forestry Day to learn about the rural environment and observe how forestry practices are carried out.
Held at Glen Tanar Estate, just outside Aboyne on Wednesday May 17, S3 pupils from Aboyne Academy took part in the full day workshop which encompassed the full journey of trees from seed to sawmill with demonstrations on how trees are planted, harvested, processed and the eventual end products.
The students also got the opportunity to watch trees being felled by chainsaw and watch a mobile sawmill in action to see how trees are turned into useable material. The schools forestry initiative is run in conjunction with Ballogie Estate and Dinnet Estate and held over 3 days in May and the entire S3 year of around 120 pupils took part. The project has recently won Scottish Land and Estate’s Regional “Helping it Happen” Award.
Michael Bruce, Glen Tanar Estate, said: “This programme gives a whole secondary school pupil year group first-hand experience of what real forestry involves.
"The practical, hands-on elements of forestry are absolutely essential skills to learn. We welcome young people to the estate to learn about this important industry and see the exciting future career opportunities. The forestry industry is worth £1BN per year to the Scottish economy and still growing and needs more skilled people. I am pleased that we can play our own small part stimulating interest in forestry as a career.
"By working together with other rural businesses and Aboyne Academy we hope to educate students in all aspects of our business to make youngsters aware of the hugely varied vocational opportunities available to them right on their doorstep.
"Our thanks also go to our other partners in this event: the Glen Tanar Charitable Trust, RTS Ltd forestry consultants, the Outdoor Woodland Learning North East Group and Aberdeen University and especially to Aberdeenshire Council who are sponsoring the events.”