Council introduces trusts scheme for talented young people

Young Highland people are to benefit from the new Duncraig Educational Trust Scheme which will provide grants totalling around £25,000 each year.

The Highland Council is the governing body of which makes available scholarship, grants and assistance for young Highland people who have particular or exceptional talents in specific identified areas.

Talented young people can apply 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.

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

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: “Young people are our future and the introduction of the Duncraig Educational Trust Scheme is an excellent way for the Council to foster their talents. I trust that the scheme will make a significant impact on supporting our talented Highland youngsters in achieving their maximum potential.”

As demand is anticipated to be high, priority will be given to young people who attended a Highland Council secondary school for a minimum of 2 years; or completed their secondary school education in the Highland Council area; or whose financial or personal circumstances might prevent them achieving their potential in one of the Trust’s identified areas.

Applicants must be also between 16 to 25 years old and can also be eligible if at least one parent or grandparent attended secondary school in the Highland Council area.

Details about the Duncraig Educational Trust Scheme are being sent to all Highland secondary schools and is available on the Council’s website at: /trusts/

Applications are now being received by the Council and the deadline for submissions is Friday 13th June 2008.

7 May 2008