Pupils from two north-east schools have visited Peterhead harbour to get a behind the scenes look at Europe’s largest white port.
Youngster’s from Tullos Primary and Torry Academy joined famous Blue Toon trawlerman Jimmy Buchan for a tour of the town’s fish auction hall, processing plant and net factory.
The aim of the excursion was to teach the next generation about the benefits of Scottish seafood and how it reaches the plate.
The 40 pupils – from primary seven and first year – were then treated to a lunch of fish and chips provided by the local Fishermen’s Mission.
Speaking after the visit, Mr Buchan, who starred in the BBC series Trawlermen, said education is vital to encouraging healthy younger generations.
“For me, it’s hugely important that the next generation know where their food is sourced from and I was delighted to welcome pupils from Tullos Primary and Torry Academy,” the Amity skipper said. “They were a very enthusiastic bunch and eager to learn about where the fish they eat comes from.
“As an ambassador for Aberdeenshire, I firmly believe the seafood just off our shores is the jewel in the country’s food crown.”
Mr Buchan said the visit was an opportunity for Peterhead’s fishing industry to engage with young people “first hand”.
Yvette Dye, a home economics teacher at Torry Academy, said: “As part of a wider project in collaboration with the Seafood in Schools initiative, our pupils have taken part in various activities to learn more about the seafood industry and its links with the north-east.
“After experiencing a real day in the life of a fisherman with Jimmy they’ll be presenting their findings back to parents, peers and teachers. We had a wonderful time and look forward to working with Jimmy again in the future.”
Seafood in Schools is project is run by Seafood Scotland, an organisation which promotes, markets and develops sustainably caught Scottish seafood.
