Beneficiaries of Duncraig Educational Trust announced (17/09/09)

A scheme which was launched in May 2008 to assist talented young Highland people is now paying out grants totalling £25,000 to 33 individuals for 2009.

The Duncraig Educational Trust Scheme which is administered by The Highland Council makes available scholarship, grants and assistance for pupils and former pupils who have particular or exceptional talents in specific identified areas.

Nearly 80 young people applied for grants of up to £1,000 to help with the costs of:

attending specialist courses of study in the arts, languages and heritage, science and the environment;
purchasing equipment to follow a specialist course of study in the arts, languages and heritage, science and the environment;
participating in sporting events at national and international level; or
specialist sports coaching at national and international level.

Funding for the Trust’s scheme came from capital investments following the sale of Duncraig Castle, Plockton in 2003. A group of elected Highland Councillors make decisions on applications to the scheme.

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: “Congratulations to the 33 young people who are directly benefitting from the Duncraig Educational Trust. I am certain that this support will provide a significant boost to our talented Highland youngsters in achieving their maximum potential. I am extremely impressed at the wide range of excellence and talent that the Trust is supporting.”

Details about the Duncraig Educational Trust Scheme - which will reopen in April 2010 - are available on the Council’s website at: www.highland.gov.uk/trusts/

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Notes to editors.

The following young people were granted awards from the Trust for participation in sport at a national/international level or attending specialist courses,

Alness Academy

Sam Clark £800 Music composition, University of Glasgow
Alasdair McLeod £438 Orienteering

Charleston Academy

Duncan Bolton £800 Music, Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
Craig Macfayden £1,000 Music, New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, New York
Hannah Phillips £800 Music, Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow
Reuben Phillips £800 Music, Madgalen College, Oxford
Kenta Gallagher £1,000 Cycling - mountain biking
Ewen Urquhart £800 Squash

Culloden Academy

Graham Mackenzie £800 Music, Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
Thomas Pendreigh £675 Curling

Dingwall Academy

James Macphail £438 Athletics - track
James Pett £1,000 Dance, Laban School of Contemporary Dance, London

Fortrose Academy

Karen Mabon £800 Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork and Jewellery, Royal College of Art, London
Edward Jefferies £800 Fencing
Greg Lobban £800 Squash

Golspie High