Aviemore's 'Ant Boy' acknowledged by Young Scot Awards as 'inspiration to others'
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Xander Johnston, of Aviemore, has congratulated the ultimate winners of this year's Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards and wished them well as they go about their vital work on behalf of the environment.
He was nominated for this week's title for his brilliant work but was delighted to see that in the end it was Scottish Youth Climate Strike which took the accolade.
"They do a great job," he told the Strathy today (Sunday, August 16) and I actually work with one of the team, Holly Gillibrand, in another of our projects, Scotland the Big Picture, so I'm really pleased for her.
But the 13-year-old entomologist was given full credit by the event for his celebrated contributions to the cause.
Because of the coronavirus regulations the event - 14th of its kind - was staged 'virtually' and introduced by BBC presenter and DJ Gemma Cairney, with Xander receiving this tribute:
"Xander, aka Ant Boy, is a young nature entomologist and he is regarded as the country's youngest expert in a number of different insect species and has first-hand experience in identifying and protecting them.
"The teenager creates videos for his You Tube channel in a bid to educate and inspire others to make a difference to the environment."
The Strathy spoke to him today as yesterday he was just too busy, being interviewed by a TV news team putting together a programme on habitat protection.
He said: "There's lots going on. Not being at school during the Covid lockdown left me with time to get on with other things and there was always something to do. I have been enjoying my involvement with the Lynbreck Croft team's online conversations and recently I was asked by BBC Countryfile if I would be a judge for their 2021 calendar competition, among other things!"
The Strathy is putting together a piece on a very positive note which has been struck with a local developer, environmentalists and the planning authority on protecting one particularly endangered species in the strath.
Xander and his environmentalist father, Ross, have been delighted with the response from the builder to a request to avoid removing a series of vital nests in Aviemore.
Mr Johnston said: "It's a very positive news story and hopefully will inspire others."
Watch this space.
For the record, this week's Young Scot Awards had two Highland winners:
Sporting Award: Hope Gordon (24) from Sutherland, who crowdfunded £10,000 to have her leg amputated, has become a top para-canoeist.
Overall Young Scot Award 2020 and Environment Award, sponsored by Standard Life Aberdeen: Holly Gillibrand (15) from Fort William, is part of the group of young people who established the Scottish Youth Climate Strike (SYCS) which were key organisers of the September 2019 strike – which was attended by more than 20,000 people.
Holly Gillibrand, SYCS, said: "Winning two awards alongside activists who I've been working with for over a year and a half is incredibly exciting, especially since everything we do is not to get recognition but to fight for our planet and our futures'.
"Being an activist means lots of hard work, but it is the least that any of us can do and I hope us winning these awards will help raise awareness of the greatest crisis humanity has ever faced, climate and ecological breakdown."
Louise Macdonald OBE, chief executive of Young Scot, said: “Scotland has so many incredible young people doing outstanding things to change lives in their communities and beyond every day.
"Congratulations to the winners, finalists and nominees who have shown dedication, passion, and excellence in their achievements. In this tough year – it is amazing to hear their uplifting stories.”
Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister said, "I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations and thanks to each and every one of the finalists.
"The work you've done is remarkable and whether your story is one of volunteering, excelling at a particular activity or campaigning on an important issue, you all deserve enormous credit.
"The contributions you have made to your communities, both locally and nationally, is both inspiring and hugely appreciated.”
