A Cumnock-based charity has scooped a top prize at a major awards ceremony recognising the achievements of Scotland's best rural learners.

The King's Foundation, based at Dumfries House, won the Anna Murray Award for Partnership Working at Lantra Scotland’s ALBAS event (the Awards for Land Based and Aquaculture Skills).

In partnership with Jamie Oliver and Jimmy Doherty, the King’s Foundation is running Food for the Future, a secondary school age programme tackling the issue of food waste by taking pupils through skills masterclasses.

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Playing a vital role in promoting careers within the rural sector, the ALBAS celebrate the achievements of learners and highlights the importance to employers of investing in skills.

More than 200 finalists, event supporters, employers, training providers and industry leaders attended a glittering award ceremony, including Jim Fairlie MSP, who was recently appointed as Scotland's minister for agriculture and connectivity.

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The awards ceremony, hosted by the 'Red Shepherdess', Hannah Jackson, took place at the Crieff Hydro Hotel in Perthshire on Thursday, March 7, where The King's Foundation team came out on top.

Jacqueline Farrell of the King’s Foundation said: “We’d like to thank Jamie and Jimmy for their support. It’s great to see such commitment from schools as they set about transforming the culture around school waste."