Moray farm plays host to Prince William and Princess Kate, Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, to discuss vital work of local charities
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE Duke and Duchess of Rothesay met with representatives of mental health organisations at a farm during a visit to Moray this afternoon.
William and Kate travelled to Brodieshill Farm near Forres to meet with members of Lower Speyside Young Farmers as well as representatives of Farmstrong Scotland, on a day where she also met Burghead Primary pupils.
Both organisations are working to promote positive mental wellbeing in rural communities and their Royal Highnesses were keen to hear more about the work of the charities.
Harry Ross, of Lower Speyside Young Farmers, spoke to William and Kate about some of the recent work of the organisation.
He said: "We were just talking about my family farm. We were speaking about the work we've done for the Lower Speyside Young Farmers and the charity tractor run.
"We spoke a lot about uncertainties around the future of farming which they were really engaged with.
"To be honest, when it first came around I was kind of wondering why I had been chosen for this but actually it went really well. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Lucy McGillivray, of NFU Scotland, was also afforded the opportunity to speak to their Royal Highnesses.
"I was really nervous," she said. "I think that's fair to say. They were absolutely lovely though and it felt really natural.
"They were really engaged with what we were all saying. I was speaking about the flooding impacts and the fact that a couple of our members died during floods.
"There has also been a huge mount of financial losses because of that and they were really interested to hear about that."
"They were really engaged. You certainly don't get this kind of thing happening in Moray everyday."
Farmstrong was set up with the aim of supporting people in the farming community who may be struggling.
Jock Gibson, who became involved with the charity after it was launched in Scotland, was pleased to discuss the work of the charity with the prince and princess.
He said: "They were very knowledgeable. Particularly about wellbeing.
"I felt they really got it which was great and they were really natural people to talk to.
"I was a bit nervous to start with but they were very good at putting us all at ease. They know what they're talking about and they were asking strong questions.
"We were really just talking about Farmstrong and about how they can farm better, live better and croft better and really to be operating at their best self.
"Agriculture is one of those huge industries which has huge ups and downs and we, as farmers, need to be able to combat the downs so it was great to be able to discuss that with them."
Brodieshill Farm offers a natural play area for children to play, explore and learn while under their parents' supervision.
And despite the rain and running behind schedule, there was still time for Kate to join some of the families before departing for their final leg of the journey in Inverness.
