Horticulture courses under threat as Scottish cuts bite

Despite an extra £23m due to be allocated for additional college places and bursaries, many colleges are reducing their offering, including Forth Valley College, where horticulture is among three departments that may be axed to make savings.

Places on horticulture courses at Barony College in the south of Scotland could also be at risk because the agriculture and land-based studies college faces a £1.1m funding cut.

Principal Russell Marchant said: "The college is currently receiving record levels of applicants for next year but will have to reduce student places. If possible, the college aims to maintain the breadth of the curriculum but it will have to close some courses and limit places on others."

Oatridge College in West Lothian is in a similar situation, with plans for voluntary redundancies after a 15 per cent funding cut. Principal David James said: "It is ironic that at a time when demand for places looks likely to increase again, we find ourselves in this position."

Despite facing a similar cut in funding, Dundee College is safeguarding its horticulture courses.

It also plans to further develop therapeutic special programmes in horticulture.

Curriculum manager Gordon Croll said: "Horticulture has never been busier at Dundee College - with about 100 full-time students - and we will continue to deliver the full range of horticulture courses despite savings being made elsewhere."