Pupils taught how to run a croft

Pupils taking the course get practical lessons in building fences

A school on the Western Isles has become the first in Scotland to teach crofting as part of the curriculum.

The new National Course in Crofting is now being taught to pupils attending Sgoil Lionacleit on Benbecula, alongside their other subjects.

The course, which involves being taught on a croft, will be officially launched by Environment Minister Mike Russell.

Until now the skills required to manage the land have been unrecognised in schools.

Pupils taking the course will learn about soils, crops, weather, putting up fences, breeds of livestock and their welfare and management

Lessons also cover the natural environment, diversification, history, and regulation. Gaelic is embedded in the course.

The Crofting Year is a Scottish Progression Award for secondary pupils, starting in S3, with pupils progressing through Intermediate 1, achieving an Intermediate 2 qualification at the end of the two years.

It has the approval of the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

Archie Campbell, chairman of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's sustainable development committee, said the course was relevant.

He said: "In the current time of change, the way land is viewed, how it is managed, how far food has travelled and how it has been produced all mean that low intensity, locally produced, land management philosophy compatible with the urban 'allotment revolution' point to crofting as a model form of sustainable agriculture."