And joining the celebrations at a ceremony in the Crieff Hydro Hotel last night was runner-up Finley Forwood, Scottish Sea Farms Shetland Aqua Technician.
Craig, who is based in Strathcarron in the Highlands, completed a Diploma in Aquaculture through UHI Shetland’s Marine Science and Technology Department while working as a Senior Marine Technician with SSF.
He described his triumph as ‘totally unexpected’ and thanked all his colleagues and tutors who had helped drive his success.
Reflecting on the win afterwards, Craig said: ‘I’m a bit shocked to be honest – it’s unbelievable. I’m really happy with the win and it’s great to have the hard work recognised.’
Originally from East Kilbride, and a veteran with 13 years in the Army, he decided to try his hand at aquaculture four years ago after moving to the Highlands.
‘I was ready for a new career and when I saw the Scottish Sea Farms job advert, I thought it was the perfect chance to learn something different,’ he said.
At Kishorn North, his Farm Manager, John McCrae, encouraged him to enrol at UHI Shetland.
‘John has been very supportive, he has been in the industry long enough to know that the more you learn, the better you are.’
Craig managed to fit in his course work on storm days when he couldn’t do much at sea and credits his UHI supervisor, Guy Tindall, with guiding him through the challenges.
‘He was always on hand to take my calls and help me and, because he is from an aquaculture background, he can speak fish farmer!’
Craig said aquaculture is the life for him now: ‘It’s never mundane, every day is slightly different to the last. And there is the job satisfaction as well – watching the fish grow after months of hard work and knowing you’ve done the job to the very best of your ability.’
Finley, meanwhile, completed a Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture through UHI Shetland’s Marine Science and Technology Department while working as a fish health specialist with Scottish Sea Farms.
Nominated for the award by his assessor at UHI Shetland, Saro Saravanan, Finley paid tribute to his team and said being able to complete training alongside his work with the apprenticeship ‘has been a brilliant way to develop my skills’.
‘Saro and the team from UHI Shetland were a huge help, with their expertise available both in person and over the phone. A big thank you to everyone who helped me complete the course.’
Last year, Finley, who is now working on his Level 4, was named the 2025 Marine Sciences Student of the Year upon graduating at UHI Shetland.
‘I’ve always been obsessed with aquatic life, and growing up in rural areas gave me a deep respect for food production,’ he said.
Scottish Sea Farms’ Head of HR Fiona McCann said the company was proud of Craig’s and Finley’s achievements: ‘They are both assets to Scottish Sea Farms and we look forward to watching them develop their talents even further. They thoroughly deserve this recognition of their dedication and hard work.’
The ALBAS were created to promote careers within the rural sector, celebrate the achievements of learners and highlight the importance to employers of investing in skills.
Host for the awards evening was horticultural magazine publisher, writer and podcaster MT O’Donnell.
Finalists were selected by an independent judging panel made up of figures from across the land-based and aquaculture sector.