Council calls talented young people to apply for trust scheme

For the second year running young Highland people are to benefit from the Duncraig Educational Trust Scheme which provides 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 or international level; or

• specialist sports coaching.

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

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: “I urge our young talented Highlanders to make an application to the Duncraig Educational Trust Scheme. Not only is this an excellent way for the Council to foster young talent it makes a significant impact on supporting our talented youngsters in achieving their maximum potential.”

Priority is given to young people who have 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 also be aged 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: /learninghere/grantsandallowances/trust.htm

Applications are now being received by the Council and the deadline for submissions is Friday 12th June 2009.