I completed my Rural Skills Int 1 last summer, I was doing this course through Kinlochleven High School and Lochaber High School. I went to Corrour Estate going every Wednesday and learnt about looking after the dogs and horses, keeping the roads in good condition and also habitat plot monitoring. I also learnt about vehicle maintenance, larder skills and also some aspects of deer stalking. 

I really enjoyed everything i learnt at Corrour, and received a couple of awards.  One at the Lantra awards 2008 getting the runner-up prize in Rural Skills, and one through Learn Direct Scotland 2008 getting a Star Learner Award, which I really enjoyed.  I finished at Corrour in September 2008.

I know the skills that I learnt have helped me as I have now nearly completed my Scottish Progression Award. I am doing this through Kinlochleven High School and Ardnamurchan Estate.  I started there in September 2008, I go 1 week to school and 1 week to the estate. I feel that I have gained a lot of confidence and would approach employers better than before. I also hope to go to college this year to get my game keeping qualifications.

I would recommend this course to anyone who is physically fit and who loves being outdoors working with animals. I think the best things about the courses especially now is all the practical work knowledge I have gained, especially going out stalking and learning all the larder skills needed for when I am going to be doing this full time. I have also learnt basic farming skills having been out with the farmers learning about their work. I have also been out with the head gardener from the estate learning about tree planting etc.

I am feeling confident in my workplace and feel this will help me when I eventually go to college. I hope to have gained my Scottish Progression Award by June 09. 

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