The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) recently had the honour of hosting a visit from their Royal Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, at a food and farming event held at Solsgirth Home Farm in Dollar. The event was attended by over 350 local school pupils and accompanying adults, providing them with an educational and hands-on farm experience. During the visit, HRH The Princess Royal engaged with RHET volunteers, witnessing the impactful work done by the rural education charity.
The purpose of the event was to educate young people about food, farming, and the natural environment. One of the activities involved pressing apples from the farm orchard, with the juice used in a ‘Zero Miles Smoothie’ that the pupils pedalled on a smoothie bike. Waste from the process was fed to the farm pigs, highlighting the journey of food from farm to plate. This event offered a unique opportunity for pupils, volunteers, and organisers to interact with Her Royal Highness and showcase RHET’s mission.
Her Royal Highness last visited an RHET volunteer farm in 2019, demonstrating her ongoing support and interest in the charity’s work across Scotland. The event was particularly enriching for the 8-11 year old pupils from Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, and Perth & Kinross. These food and farming events are part of RHET’s efforts to provide educational experiences to young people across Scotland.
RHET’s work is supported by essential funding from the Scottish Government, allowing them to offer on-farm experiences free of charge. This support is crucial for early years development and understanding where food originates. The farm, Solsgirth Home Farm, highlighted their sustainable practices, including using bees to pollinate apple trees, producing honey, pork, beef, lamb, and pressing apples for juice.
Solsgirth Home Farm, set against the backdrop of the Ochils, integrates farming, nature, and community spaces, offering accommodation and educational opportunities. The farm’s history dates back over 100 years, transitioning from dairy farming to its current operations. The farm’s ethos revolves around harmony with nature, illustrating a sustainable farming model admired by visitors.
The event with Her Royal Highness underscores RHET’s commitment to providing valuable learning experiences for Scotland’s youth. The collaboration between RHET, volunteers, and local project coordinators showcases a shared passion for farming and educating future generations. Such initiatives play a vital role in promoting agricultural understanding and environmental awareness among young people across Scotland.