Hannah Thomson from Oban, Aaron Roberts from Ardgour, Lydia Emmerson from the Isle of Lewis, Billy Anderson from Isle of Harris and Daniel Needham from Fort William all won awards last night (Thursday 5th March) at Lantra Scotland’s ALBAS (Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills) at the Crieff Hydro Hotel in Perthshire.
Hannah won ALBAS Trees and Timber Learner of the Year. She has completed her Modern Apprenticeship in Trees and Timber through the Scottish School of Forestry at UHI Inverness while employed as a Craftsperson Modern Apprentice with Forestry and Land Scotland.
She said: “I am so happy to be presented with this ALBAS award, it means a lot to me. I’d like to thank Forestry and Land Scotland for taking me on as an apprentice craftsperson, and of course my tutors at the Scottish School of Forestry, and my family for all their support along the way.”
Aaron Roberts won Game and Wildlife Learner of the Year. Aaron was studying an NC Gamekeeping through UHI North, West and Hebrides while working as a Trainee Stalker on Laudale Estate. Aaron said: “It’s great to be recognised at the ALBAS, I’m so happy to win this award. Thanks to David Olds and all the tutors at UHI for supporting me, not to mention my employer Laudale Estate who took me on as a trainee stalker. Thank you!”
Billy Anderson came runner-up in the Higher Education Award BSc category. Billy has been doing a Modern Apprenticeship Level 4 in Aquaculture with UHI Shetland while working as a Site Manager with Bakkafrost.
Runner up Equine Learner of the Year was equine student Lydia Emmerson from the Isle of Lewis. Lydia has completed her Professional Diploma in Equine Facilitated Learning & Development through Equi-Scotia CIC.
Runner-Up Trees and Timber Learner of the Year was Daniel Needham from Fort William. Daniel completed an SVQ Trees and Timber through the Scottish School of Forestry while working as apprentice craftsperson with Forestry and Land Scotland.
Over 200 finalists, event supporters, employers, training providers and industry leaders attended a glittering awards ceremony, hosted by horticultural magazine publisher, writer and podcaster MT O’Donnell.
Industry awards were made for animal care, aquaculture, equine, environmental conservation, game and wildlife, horticulture, land-based engineering, veterinary nursing and trees and timber.
As well as prizes for Overall Winner, Runner-up and Modern Apprentice of the Year, there are awards for Higher Education, Pre-Apprenticeship, School Pupil, Secondary Schools, Research Project, the Carstairs Mentor Award, the Tam Tod Trophy for outstanding young learner, and the Anna Murray Award for Partnership Working.
The winners and runners up for ALBAS 2026 were selected by an independent judging panel made up of influential figures from across the land-based and aquaculture sector, comprising: Alix Ritchie, Programme Director of Farmstrong Scotland and a farmer in Perthshire; David Knott, Curator of Living Collections, The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh; Emma Staniforth, Work-Based Learning Manager with Forestry and Land Scotland; Jennifer Allison, Senior HR Business Partner with Bakkafrost Scotland and Scott Mason (Chair of the panel), Land Services Officer with Stirling Council.
Lantra Scotland would like to thank its supporters: SRUC, Forestry and Land Scotland, Salmon Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates, Tarff Valley, NatureScot Peatland ACTION, HTA, Land Technology, SAOS, Ringlink, Equido, Bakkafrost, BAGMA, Trail Consultancy,
The ALBAS are organised by Lantra, the sector skills council for the land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation industries. Lantra’s work in Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government. To find out more about the ALBAS, visit www.scotland.lantra.co.uk/learner-year
