Promoting a
sustainable
Highlands

We are a social enterprise with our key aim to promote, organise and deliver rural learning, training and career opportunities.

Promoting a
Sustainable
Highlands

We are a social enterprise with our key aim to promote, organise and deliver rural learning, training and career opportunities.

Promoting Rural Skills

As a social enterprise it is our aim to offset our educational program costs by offering a range of courses to the general public.

Adult & Youth Skills Training

We will be hosting a range of one and two day courses that will include practical agricultural courses and beginners' courses.

Family Days Out

Get outdoors, do something different and new, explore the Highlands while supporting a local social enterprise.

Lochview Rural Training

Lochview Rural Training is situated in the beautiful Sutherland landscape.  We are a social enterprise with the key aim to promote, organise and deliver rural learning, training and career opportunities, improving awareness, knowledge and access to our rural landscape and promoting understanding of the value of rural life for social wellbeing for all.

We hope to provide an informal setting for you to experience a range of activities that will help to develop your skills and knowledge of all that is rural.

Whether you are a young person looking to develop a more practical approach to learning, an individual or a family wanting to spend time outdoors and be close to animals and nature, we can provide you with these experiences.

Did you know lettering on wood

As a social enterprise for every adult that books a course with us they are helping to support a young person to  develop skills and knowledge and to participate in our education programs.

A tractor farming a field cultivating

Upcoming Events

During the year we will be hosting a range of one day workshops that include practical lambing, agricultural machinery maintenance, practical crofting, beginner's guide to crofting, poultry keeping and animal health to name a few. We will have a dedicated youth education programme including SQA Rural Skills, and employability courses to promote rural skills as a pathway to employment.

What We're aiming to achieve

We offer meaningful land-based activities and training to any individual or group of students in a relaxed, happy atmosphere. We believe in the therapeutic value of working outdoors and being around animals, which has been shown to reduce stress, resulting in better physical and mental well-being.

A tractor moving through a field hay

We offer meaningful land-based activities and training to any individual or group of students in a relaxed, happy atmosphere. We believe in the therapeutic value of working outdoors and being around animals, which has been shown to reduce stress, resulting in better physical and mental well-being.

We pride ourselves on creating a happy and inclusive family atmosphere for our staff and students where everyone can thrive.

During the year we will be hosting a range of one day workshops that will include practical lambing, agricultural machinery maintenance courses, practical crofting, beginners guide to crofting, poultry keeping, animal health to name a few.

What Our Students Have to Say

Over the past few years, I've had the opportunity to volunteer at Loch View many times, the goal being to learn as much as possible about livestock care and crofting in general. Whilst visiting I have learnt more than I could have imagined; from working with sheep, caring for rare breed pigs and piglets, hay making, and a great deal about the legislation, technicalities and paperwork involved. Cara is so knowledgeable about each of these areas and demonstrates this both vocally and practically. She always takes the time to hear any concerns and answers any questions to whatever level of detail is wanted. She offers a high level of encouragement and support, which really helps with boosting confidence in challenging tasks. Although I've only worked alongside Don a few times, it is truly his patience and understanding that shines through. He really takes the time to assess your confidence levels and gradually build that up and your own pace with no pressure. During my time at Loch View, I've had the opportunity to gain valuable experience I would not have found elsewhere. Overall I would recommend a visit, whether for learning or pleasure there is definitely something for everyone.
Alex
Highlands
Having been given the privilege to partake in crofting experience at Loch View, under the watchful eye of both Don and Cara, I have gained vital knowledge and hands on experience of a large range of croft and agricultural tasks. This spans from the removal and installation of livestock fencing, moving of livestock across challenging environments and the general welfare of livestock. From spending a significant amount of time with Don, I have gained a vast knowledge of how to operate and maintain tractors and farm equipment whilst also learning how to operate them. Don has taught me how to perform tasks such as; cutting, tedding, and rowing up of the hay harvest ready for baling. Cara has taught me a great deal about the Large Black Pig breed, which I would otherwise not have known about. This has made me think more into what livestock I wish to keep in the future, having seen a much more relaxed attitude to keeping pigs than sheep, which I have found to be much higher maintenance.
Robert
Highlands
I like going to the croft and Cara and Don are very kind. I have learnt how to look after pigs, and piglets, and sheep dogs. I have learnt how to wrap hay bales, feed animals and overcome my fear of dogs.
Ella, 8
Highlands
A lady with baby pigs piglets

Adult
Skills Training

For a range of vocational and non-vocational training, please see our online training calendar for upcoming courses.

sheep walking through the snow and eating

Youth & Schools
Skills Training

Are you in school or just leaving? We offer a range of courses including SQA Rural Skills, SQA Crofting and other tailored courses, so send us a message to find out more or click the link.

A small child climbing on a gate looking at some sheep

Experiences
& Days Out

If you would like to spend time with our livestock, learn more about our animals and just spend some time in the outdoors, click to see what we can offer.

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