PUPILS from St Denis’ and St Marnock’s primary schools welcomed the first signs of spring by befriending newborn chicks at an Ayrshire estate with royal links.

Although it might not feel like spring yet, youngsters from the city schools visited Valentin’s Education Farm at Dumfries House in East Ayrshire to meet their new-found fluffy friends.

The farm hosts thousands of school pupils from the west of Scotland and beyond each year.

As well as observing and engaging with animals, pupils have the opportunity, in the educational farm’s barn, to milk a fibreglass cow and make woollen items on a traditional spinning wheel.

Development of the education farm began in February 2016 on the site of a former Prisoner of War camp, Pennylands, and it was officially opened by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, in June last year.

The educational aspect of the estate forms a key element of the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, who used £20million of his charitable foundation’s money in 2007 to secure the future of Dumfries House.

The education farm is home to rare breeds of sheep, cattle, geese, ducks, pigs, and turkeys.

There are 14 sheep, four pigs, six geese, four ducks, three turkeys, and 16 chickens.

Rare breeds include Castlemilk Moorit sheep, British Landrace and Tamworth pigs, Shetland geese, Scotch Grey and Scotch Dumpy chickens, Pied Crowlitzer turkeys, and three breeds of cattle - Beef Shorthorn, Whitebred Shorthorn, and Vaynol.

From modest beginnings, Dumfries House now employs more than 200 full-time and part-time staff across the house, estate and education and training programmes.

School visits can be arranged by emailing EducationAdmin@dumfries-house.org.uk