A YOUNG gamekeeper has been given a prestigious award for his efforts to spread the word about responsible wildlife management.

Duncan Seaton's work in educating children about the profession helped him triumph over a very strong field of nominees to win the Scottish Gamekeeper Association's (SGA) Young Gamekeeper of the Year award.

The 20-year-old, from Dores, by Loch Ness, has just completed an HNC in Gamekeeping with Wildlife Management at North Highland College, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands.

His early interest was in shepherding and horses, but his skill and enthusiasm saw him triumph over a very strong field of nominees covering the whole of Scotland's land, lochs and rivers.

Mr Seaton, who works for the Dunmaglass Estate, has visited local school children to inform them of the benefits of multi-species management.

"I am delighted to receive the award. It is a real honour in our profession," said the youngster, who started out as a Modern Apprentice.

"I didn't come from a traditional gamekeeping background but I have really enjoyed learning and putting knowledge into practise. Managing wildlife today is a big responsibility, as is education, and modern gamekeeping doesn't just involve the end product.

"Our estate works with local schools and, whilst I was at Invercauld, I enjoyed discussing management with the hillwalkers visiting the five Munros on the estate."

He received the prize from Climate Change and Land Reform Minister Aileen McLeod and SGA chairman Alex Hogg.

Mr Hogg said: "It is clear he is a hardworking and adaptable person who knows how to manage in a balanced and considerate way. He is enormously deserving of the award."