UHI students across the partnership celebrate success at ALBAS 2025

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Eight students from across the UHI partnership were recognised at the 2025 Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills (ALBAS), hosted by Lantra Scotland. The event, held at Crieff Hydro Hotel on Thursday 6 March, celebrated outstanding achievements in the land-based, aquaculture, and environmental conservation sectors.

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Left to right: Stewart Smith with Gail Robertson, Ringlink, Robaidh Halliday with Sharon Gooding-Hill, SRUC (top), Lewis Henderson and Mary Collins with Dr Jenna Ross OBE and Mike Duxbury (bottom), Alejandro Casabuena with Dr Jenna Ross OBE and Mike Duxbury (top), Derek Dunning with Fiona McCauley, Salmon Scotland (bottom), Ailie Macleod with Michael Bayne of Borders Machinery Ring (top), Kirsty Gibson with Dr Jenna Ross OBE and Mike Duxbury (bottom). Photos by Lantra Scotland.

The following UHI students were recognised on the night:

  • Alejandro Casabuena – Runner-up in Higher Education Award (HNC)
    Alejandro, from Inverness, is doing an HNC in Forestry at the Scottish School of Forestry, UHI Inverness, while working for Scottish Woodlands.

  • Ailie MacLeod – Winner of the School Pupil Award
    Senior Phase student Ailie, from Kingussie High School through UHI North, West and Hebrides, was recognised for her dedication and leadership on the Skills for Work – Rural Skills course.

  • Derek Dunning – Winner of Aquaculture Learner of the Year
    Derek, from Lochgilphead, is doing a Modern Apprenticeship at UHI Shetland, while working in Fish Husbandry for Kames Fish Farm in Oban.

  • Kirsty Gibson – Runner-up in Trees and Timber Learner of the Year
    Kirsty, from Lochgilphead in Argyll, is studying a Modern Apprenticeship in Trees and Timber at the Scottish School of Forestry, UHI Inverness, while working as an Apprentice Craftsperson at Forestry and Land Scotland.

  • Lewis Henderson – Runner-up in Aquaculture Learner of the Year
    Lewis, from Isle of Gigha, is doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture at UHI Shetland, while working in Fish Husbandry for Bakkafrost Scotland.

  • Mary Collins – Runner-up in the Aquaculture Learner of the Year 
    Mary, from Glasgow, is studying a Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture at UHI Shetland, while working in Fish Husbandry at Bakkafrost Scotland on the Isle of Gigha.

  • Robaidh Halliday – Runner-up in Higher Education Award (BSc)
    Robaidh, from Portree on the Isle of Skye is studying an SVQ Level 9 in Aquaculture Management at UHI Shetland, while working as a Site Manager for Organic Sea Harvest in Portree.

  • Stewart Smith – ALBAS Overall Winner, winner of Trees and Timber Learner of the Year, and winner of Modern Apprentice of the Year
    Stewart, from Cromarty, is studying an SVQ in Trees and Timber through the Scottish School of Forestry, UHI Inverness, while working as an Apprentice Craftsperson with Forestry and Land Scotland.

More than 200 attendees, including finalists, industry leaders, training providers, and employers, were present at the ceremony, hosted by Dr Jenna Ross OBE and Mike Duxbury of Inclusive Farm. The winners and runners-up were selected by an independent panel of industry experts, chaired by Rebecca Dawes, Agri and Rural Communicator at JCM&Co and trustee of The Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth.

Dr Liz Barron-Majerik MBE MICFor, Director of Lantra Scotland, commented:

“Lantra Scotland’s ALBAS play an important role in the land-based and aquaculture sector, as they highlight the fantastic achievements of skilled and dedicated staff at different levels of their careers, from new entrants to career changers, while also showing employers, businesses and other organisations the benefits of skills development and partnership working.”

Interested in studying with us? Find out more about our land-based courses.

You can also find out about apprenticeship opportunities through our partners:

➕ Foundation Apprentices: are work-based qualifications for senior phase pupils. They combine the best of academic and vocational learning in one single qualification.

➕ Modern Apprenticeships:  provide people aged 16 and over the opportunity to achieve an industry recognised qualification whilst gaining valuable experience in the workplace.