04 October 2017
HRH Duchess of Rothesay joins Harvest Thanksgiving celebration in Aboyne
HRH The Duchess of Rothesay joined a Harvest Festival celebration at Aboyne Academy, and viewed harvest festival displays made by pupils from ten local schools on Wednesday, October 4.
The Duchess was greeted by Lord Lieutenant James Ingleby and formally welcomed to Aberdeenshire by Provost Bill Howatson and lead piper Fraser Wood performed on her arrival.
She was met by Aboyne Academy Head Teacher Lorraine Scott and a small group of guests, before listening to a welcome speech given by drama student Shaun Lanigan and to traditional Scottish music played by the Aboyne Academy Ceilidh Band.
After viewing the displays from the ten Aboyne ‘cluster’ primary schools and hearing the Aboyne cluster primary school choir sing ‘It’s Harvest Time Again’, the Provost of Aberdeenshire, Cllr Bill Howatson, invited the Duchess to unveil a plaque.
Lumphanan Primary School pupils Maisie Sugden and Catherine Muirhead presented her with a basket of local produce before the Duchess departed. Lead piper Fraser Wood then performed as the Duchess left Aboyne Academy.
Provost Bill Howatson was delighted to welcome HRH Duchess of Rothesay to the school. He said: “We have a long tradition of farming and agriculture in Aberdeenshire so the harvest is an especially important time for our communities, and I am delighted that HRH The Duchess of Rothesay was able to join in our celebrations today.
“I was very pleased to welcome HRH on her official visit to Aberdeenshire and know that this will be a very special day that our young people will remember for the rest of their lives.”
Cllr Gillian Owen, Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “I am pleased Aberdeenshire school pupils were able to share what they learnt about harvest time and local food and drink with HRH The Duchess of Rothesay.
“We are very privileged indeed to live in an area with such an abundance of high quality produce; which includes some of the best meat and fish in Scotland.
“It is important children and young people learn about Aberdeenshire’s agricultural and historical traditions to ensure they continue to be maintained in the future.”
Head Teacher Lorraine Scott said: “It has been both a pleasure and a privilege to host this harvest festival on behalf of the Aboyne ‘cluster’ schools.
“We were honoured to welcome HRH The Duchess of Rothesay along with many other distinguished guests who had the pleasure of listening to the musical ability of our pupils as well as viewing their outstanding harvest displays.
“This event has highlighted the close working relationship that exits between our ‘cluster’ schools in addition to the extraordinary talents of all pupils involved.”
Guests at the ceremony included representatives of Rotary who work closely with all the Aboyne schools and the school chaplains.