The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) is launching an education programme highlighting the importance of sheep to school pupils called 'The Journey of Food: Sheep and Wool'.

From September through to the end of the academic year, RHET will work with Royal Northern Countryside Initiative, Quality Meat Scotland, the National Sheep Association, and British Wool, to explain the importance of wool and sheep.

The Year of Sheep and Wool programme has developed a range of resources for use in schools, with nearly 70 teachers signed up for Training at Ingliston and in Inverness on September 9 and 23. The highlight of the calendar is always the Talk to Farmer event in March 2024 when nearly 5,000 children have a chance to chat with some volunteers about their work, their animals, and their passion for farming.

RHET are looking for donations from the industry for the campaign and volunteers to help. Farmers interested in speaking to school children and teachers about sheep farming should get in touch with their local RHET committee.

RHET Highland Project Coordinator, Fran Matheson, said: "The passion and dedication of Scottish farmers produce some of the best quality lamb in the world in accordance with the highest welfare standards that we are all extremely proud of. This campaign is an opportunity to teach children across Scotland about lamb and the role of sheep farming in our communities, the season-by-season work on sheep farms, education about the animals on the farm, including its biodiversity, and the traditions handed down through the generations.

We will also share how wool can be used sustainably in so many products with the hope of encouraging more of us to embrace this remarkable material. RHET has, with the help of some very passionate volunteers, created lots of wool crafting activities for school pupils to enjoy and learn in the classroom. We are very excited to be sharing this Journey with you all."