News & Info > Lower Sixth Countryside Management trip to Kinpurnie Castle

Lower Sixth Countryside Management trip to Kinpurnie Castle

The Lower Sixth Countryside Management class were very kindly invited to stay for a few days at Kinpurnie Castle near Perth, Scotland, by Mr and Mrs Charles Willis last weekend.

The trip provided an opportunity to experience Scottish agriculture and wider land management issues.  Trips to Grewar Farming, that supply potatoes and cereal crops to the UK market, and a soft fruit producer for Ribena, as well as a commercial large scale chicken producer, proved to be an eye opening and informative experience for all our pupils. 

Aside from the more intensive agricultural operations, the group met the Kinpurnie herd of Longhorn cattle and had a lesson in stick making using sheep and cattle horn.  During a good hike into the Sidlaw Hills, there were opportunities to compare our shoot management practices with those of a Scottish estate and there was much wildlife to enjoy, including red squirrels and evidence of pine martens! 

This short, but action packed, trip has given our pupils an insight into a number of land based careers and entrepreneurial opportunities for them to consider as they plan their next steps post-Milton Abbey.  Much fun was had by all and we are very grateful to our hosts.