Balmoral Estate worker wins young gamekeeper award

Greg Sinclair has been honing his skills on the Balmoral Estate. Picture: Linda Mellor

Greg Sinclair, 18, who has been honing his gamekeeping skills on the Queen’s estate on Royal Deeside, was today confirmed as the winner of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association’s Young Gamekeeper of the Year title for 2013.

Greg, who has also worked at the Atholl Estates in Perthshire, was chosen from a short list of candidates drawn from the ranks of Scotland’s top trainee gamekeepers, ghillies, wildlife managers and rangers, recommended by estates and course leaders from Scotland’s three gamekeeping colleges.

He said: “It is great to win this award. I have been interested in gamekeeping from a very young age and I took the opportunity to learn through the college and through the practical work on the estates, which I have really enjoyed.”

Greg added: “Managing the countryside keeps everything the way it should be and helps maintain a balance. It is not just gamebirds. The work of gamekeepers is very important for other species. We have Black Grouse at Balmoral, for example, and there was a lot at Atholl as well.”

Alex Hogg, the chairman of the SGA, said: “There were a number of very good candidates; youngsters that represent the next generation.

“Their work in creating the conditions for gamebirds and other wildlife such as Curlew, Lapwing, Plover, red squirrel and Black Grouse to flourish in our countryside is vital. Responsible game management brings so much to Scotland and to rural communities and that is why it is so important to have a well trained, skilled workforce of the future.

“Greg has already worked with deer, grouse and on the salmon rivers and shows great potential. He is held in high regard by his college lecturers and on the estates where he has been learning his craft. We are delighted for him and, indeed, all the youngsters that were interviewed on the short-list for the award.”

Paul Wheelhouse, the Scottish Minister for Environment and Climate Change, praised the professionalism of Scotland’s young wildlife and gamekeepeing trainees.

He said: “ “I am very pleased that a young gamekeeper, Greg Sinclair, and all the other nominees, are being recognised for their contribution to responsible countryside management. It is always encouraging to see young people making the most of skilled and specialized training and then graduating into work.

“Countryside sports create valuable income and employment in rural areas.

“This award recognizes that young gamekeepers, ghillies, wildlife managers and rangers have an important and varied role to play in managing Scotland’s natural environment and ensuring that safe, modern and progressive land management practices are promoted.”

Greg, who comes from Alyth, first took an interest in gamekeeping when he started helping his brother on an estate when he was only twelve years old. He entered the profession initially through a two year Skillseekers programme at North Highland College UHI in Thurso.He is now studying for a National Certificate through the college while working at Balmoral.