PUPILS from two Wee County schools were dishing up Scotch lamb as they backed a campaign this St Andrew's Day.

The young people at Alva and Alloa academies were backing the drive to make Scotch lamb the national dish for the country's annual day.

They each received lamb sourced from United Auctions in Stirling, who reignited the Lamb for St Andrew’s Day campaign in 2019.

The more than 130 S3 home economics and hospitality students have cooked specially-created dishes with a twist.

The menu included dishes such as Scotch lamb dhansak and Scotch lamb naan pizza, with recipes from read meat industry marketing body Quality Meat Scotland.

Councillor Les Sharp was keen to get behind the idea.

He said: “I am delighted to be involved with this initiative and hope it may kick-start a campaign to bring more local meat and produce from Forth Valley into our schools and homes.

“Councillor Graham Lindsay and myself hope to be assisting with the academies in delivering the initiatives, though I suspect we may be peeling the onions.“

Julia Barclay, improving outcomes officer at Clackmannanshire Council, was quick to get onboard.

She said: “We jumped at the chance to get behind the Lamb for St Andrew’s Day campaign.

“It’s a great way for Clackmannanshire’s schools to celebrate November 30 while reinforcing the message to pupils of the importance of this locally-produced, healthy food as part of a balanced diet, as well as widening links with local businesses to provide new experiences and opportunities.”

Linda Millar, home economics teacher at Alva Academy, is also looking forward to the day.

She added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to work with good quality meat, in quantities that we wouldn't be able to otherwise afford.

“The pupils are all very excited to make recipes that are authentic and challenging, but also different."

United Auctions in Stirling also have a close connection to schools in the Wee County.

Indeed, the livestock auction house's Christopher Sharp is a former Alva Academy pupil.

He said: “The aim of the campaign is to make Scotch lamb synonymous with St Andrew’s Day and to encourage people in Scotland to really celebrate our nation’s special day with this special dish.

“It’s great to see local schools get behind the campaign so the students can experience cooking with and enjoying locally-sourced Forth Valley lamb.”