The pupils joined veteran gardeners Brian Thomson and Jim Hodge in the grounds of Blair Castle and helped with a range of seasonal tasks including tree pruning, hedge-cutting and maintenance of the landscaped areas. The skills acquired will contribute to the students’ achievement of the Soft Landscaping element on the Rural Skills course.

Atholl Estates, the wider estate of which Blair Castle is part, are proud to be a formal partner with the school in delivery of the Intermediate 1 certificated course. The young people, now in S4, have also worked alongside Atholl Estates Ranger Service on path maintenance and fencing repair.

This is the pupils’ second year with the gardening team at Blair Castle and the visits have proved a great success in teaching them more about the range of skills required to manage an extensive historic landscape and gardens like those surrounding Blair Castle.

Blair Castle gardens and grounds are open daily, 9.30am to 5.30pm until 30 October 2009. www.blair-castle.co.uk.