Grampian Sporting Auction, 18 April
The Grampian Committee held their annual sporting dinner and auction at Lochter Activity Centre on 18 April and had another hugely successful event with Savills as the main event sponsor. A record number of guests enjoyed attended and enjoyed the usual spectacular game buffet while the auction raised over £46k total on the night. Huge thanks to Alan Hamilton and his committee. This was Alan’s first event as chairman, and he managed the transition from committee member to chief organiser very smoothly.
Estate Day at Findynate Estate, 30 April
The GWCT and the Royal Highland Education Trust Perth and Kinross (RHET) held a rural education day at Findynate Estate, Strathtay, Perthshire. The day was sponsored by CR Smith, RHET and BASC Scotland with significant support from Findynate.
It was attended by around 70 pupils from the Primary 5 and 6 class years from five local Perthshire schools. At a number of stations around this beautiful estate, pupils heard short talks and saw demonstrations about the importance of woodland and forestry, what’s involved in moorland management, what a gamekeeper does, some basic game cookery, farming for sheep and cattle, and the importance and delivery of conservation in the countryside.
Scottish Auction, 2 May
The Scottish Auction Committee had another successful night at Prestonfield House Hotel in May. Saffery, Pentland Land Rover and Invenergy continued as lead sponsors of the event. Over 400 guests attended helping to raise over £100k. Well done to Tim Wishart and his committee for their hard work.
Thursday 1 May 2025 is confirmed as the date for next year’s event.
Grampian Golf Day, 7 June
The Grampian Committee also held a golf day at Balmoral Estate on 7 June. Being a nine-hole course, it’s only possible to have nine teams playing, but it’s still a fantastic day out and a good fundraiser. Teams played Texas Scramble and had closest to the pin and longest drive competitions followed by a BBQ and raffle afterwards. Howden Rural sponsored the day.
Scottish Game Fair, 5-7 July
We once again helped organise and run a successful Game Fair at Scone Palace in July. We created a new concept for our central exhibit this year (Our Landscapes), which featured pods following the watershed from the heather moors down to River Catchment. The pods explored five key landscapes of Scotland, their wildlife, conservation challenges, and how the GWCT is tackling the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.
Jim Fairlie, MSP Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, enjoyed a tour of the central exhibit followed by an informal discussion and conversation at our policy lunch. Discussions focused on the need for greater collaboration to tackle the twin challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, and also how to trial different options and adapt our practices through learning what works in balancing productive land management with biodiversity stewardship.
Shoot/farm walks and talks
We hosted walk and talks at Rottal Estate and Gilston Farm, which were sponsored by Howden, while NFU Mutual partnered us for a woodcock walk and talk at Balnagowan. We also held a walk at Balgonie in Fife. All events were really well attended and help us promote the advisory and research services and work that we offer and carry out.