The Young Scot Awards have been honouring incredible young people for 16 years and this year, it’s the turn of our S6 pupil, Harry Melsom, one of three finalists in the Entrepreneur category.
Since then, Harry has spent his spare time learning to fly the drone, including in difficult weather conditions, and practising how to use it to create visually stunning and useful footage for several companies. He’s also put his own money – earned working for his dad – towards acquiring the qualifications needed to become a commercial drone pilot. These serve as proof of his competency and awareness of drone laws, and allow him to legally earn a salary from his aerial work.
Today, Harry’s skills are firmly in demand. His clients include local farmers who need help surveying their land, insurance firms commissioning his services for roof surveys and a construction firm looking for aerial footage to use as a promotional tool. In addition, Harry has supported Lathallan’s rugby team with footage they can use to review their gameplay, with his work also featuring on the school’s website and social media channels.
When he’s not focused on his studies and growing his own company, Harry helps his dad run the family’s multi-faceted business – which provides metalwork, forestry, farming services, and supplies residential heating oil – from their home in Aberdeenshire. The definition of a ‘go-getter’, Harry has already learned how to work a CNC plasma cutter and 3D printer, and passed his tractor driving test a week after his 16th birthday.
After completing an Advanced Higher in Physics and Higher in Mathematics this year, Harry plans to study Mechanical Engineering at Napier University in Edinburgh.
Richard Toley, Lathallan’s headteacher, said: “Harry has been an integral part of our school community since he joined us in junior school and we have long been aware of, and encouraged, his entrepreneurial mindset. The Young Scot Awards provides an excellent platform through which to recognise the next generation, and I am pleased Harry’s efforts to grow and develop his business idea have been recognised as finalist-worthy.
“He is a grounded, hard-working individual, committed to achieving his goals, and both myself and the wider Lathallan team wish him the best of luck. We look forward to seeing what he goes on to achieve in future.”
Teacher Ranjit Fernandez, who nominated Harry for the award, added: “In S3, our pupils are encouraged to think of a big or challenging enterprise project and Harry opted to develop a drone-related business. That’s one of the great things about Lathallan; we have the staff and environment that enables us to truly nurture talent. In some cases that includes skills, capabilities and passions the pupils aren’t even aware they have. Harry is a natural at what he does – entrepreneurial and committed to going after his dreams. Our job is to take those passions and help the children use them to leave behind their legacy at Lathallan. When Harry heads off to university in the summer, I think we can proudly say we have helped him to do that.”
The Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards aim to recognise and inspire extraordinary young people from across the country, highlighting their triumphs in a range of categories – from sport and the environment to enterprise and volunteering.
The results will be announced on 27 April 2022 at a star-studded red-carpet awards ceremony hosted at Edinburgh’s International Conference Centre. Winners will join a prestigious roll call of previous recipients including Paralympic gold medallist Kayleigh Haggo and musician Paolo Nutini.