Marine / UHI Shetland students celebrated at aquaculture awards
THREE UHI Shetland students picked up awards at a ceremony celebrating land and aquaculture based skills last night (Thursday).
Craig Findlay was named aquaculture student of the year at the annual ALBAS, with Finley Forwood coming in as runner-up, at the Crieff Hydro.
The event is held by Lantra Scotland and toasts the best achievements in farming and aquaculture.
The pair are both studying at UHI Shetland, with Findlay – who is based in Wester Ross – undertaking his diploma in aquaculture production and Forwood, who lives in Shetland, working towards an SVQ4 in aquaculture management.
Billy Anderson, from the Isle of Harris, recently completed his SCQF level 9 in aquaculture management at UHI Shetland and was named runner-up in the higher education category.
UHI Shetland’s marine sciences head Stuart Fitzsimmons congratulated the trio on their “outstanding success”.
“Their achievement reflects the strength of our aquaculture programmes and our commitment to developing skilled, forward-thinking learners who will play a key role in advancing aquaculture practice across the sector.”
Findlay, who works for Scottish Sea Farms, said he was “a bit shocked to be honest – it’s unbelievable”.
“I’m really happy with the win and it’s great to have the hard work recognised,” he said
Originally from East Kilbride, and a veteran with 13 years in the Army, he decided to try his hand at aquaculture four years ago after moving to the Highlands.
At Kishorn North, his farm manager John McCrae encouraged him to enrol at UHI Shetland.
Findlay managed to fit in his course work on storm days when he could not do much at sea and credits his UHI supervisor, Guy Tindall, with guiding him through the challenges. “He was always on hand to take my calls and help me and, because he is from an aquaculture background, he can speak fish farmer!”
Forwood, meanwhile, completed a modern apprenticeship in aquaculture through UHI Shetland’s marine science and technology department while working as a fish health specialist with Scottish Sea Farms at the Girlsta freshwater hatchery.
Nominated for the award by his assessor at UHI Shetland, Saro Saravanan, Forwood paid tribute to his team and said being able to complete training alongside his work with the apprenticeship “has been a brilliant way to develop my skills”.
“Saro and the team from UHI Shetland were a huge help, with their expertise available both in person and over the phone,” he said.
“A big thank you to everyone who helped me complete the course.”
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