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Chamber and committees

Wallace Hall Academy Recognised at the Lantra ALBAS Awards

  • Submitted by: Emma Harper, South Scotland, Scottish National Party
  • Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 March 2026
  • Motion type: Standard Motion
  • Motion reference: S6M-21028

That the Parliament congratulates all of the nominees, finalists and winners at the Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills (ALBAS), which were held on 3 March 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dunblane Hydro and welcomed over 180 finalists from across Scotland; recognises Wallace Hall Academy in Thornhill, in the South Scotland region, on being joint winners of the Secondary School Award; notes the Academy’s success in the pupil categories, with Iona McVey winning the Secondary Pupil Award and William Marchant being recognised as Highly Commended; acknowledges that Iona and William are currently undertaking the National 5 NPA Rural Skills (Agriculture) course; notes that these awards celebrate pupils who demonstrate passion, dedication and leadership in their agricultural learning; further notes that Wallace Hall’s achievement reflects the strength of its land-based curriculum, including the Young Agri Leader course, which has been developed by Aileen Marchant and supported by Neil Miller, who are both teachers; understands that this offers S5 and S6 pupils NPA Level 5 and Level 6 qualifications through agriculture-based leadership and teamwork projects; recognises that the ALBAS celebrate the achievements of individuals, schools, businesses and partnerships across Scotland’s land-based and aquaculture sectors and highlight the success of trainees of all ages and aim to encourage employers to invest in the next generation; notes the significant contribution that it believes these industries make to Scotland’s economy, particularly in rural areas, and commends the ALBAS for promoting the wide range of rewarding careers in land-based and aquaculture work and for showcasing the vital role these sectors play in Scotland’s future.


Supported by: Karen Adam, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Stephanie Callaghan, Jackie Dunbar, Annabelle Ewing, Jamie Hepburn, Bill Kidd, Stuart McMillan, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Tess White