Tinto kids set class fish free to roam the Clyde

The school is one of 96 participating in Clyde in the Classroom — an eco-education project using the life-cycle of native Scottish brown trout to encourage kids to engage with the environment around them.

With a little help fromexperts at the Clyde River Foundation, the children followed the development of their fish from eggs to fry in a custom-made classroom hatchery.

After five weeks of caring for them day-to-day, the children then said goodbye to their trout, preparing them for release into the White Cart using homemade ice packs to control temperature, and finally setting them free on March 6.

Class teacher Mrs Cairney said: “Every child in the class has loved looking after the fish and, as a teacher, it’s wonderful to teach a topic that integrates so many areas of the curriculum.

“They have learned so much about the brown trout and the delicate balance of the river Clyde in which they live.

“I believe P5C are now a class of brown trout experts!”

The environmental project, running since 2001, is crowd-funded by participating schools and supporters including the Glasgow Science Centre, Robertston Trust, River Kelvin Angling Association and more.

Dr Willie Yeomans, catchment manager at the Clyde River Foundation, commented: “We are delighted to welcome the 20,000th child to the project this year.

“To continue to grow year on year shows the real demand for education initiatives that connect children to their 
environment.”