Recently members of Lesmahagow YFC came together to create a music video supporting SAYFC’s ‘Are Ewe Okay?’ campaign. Founded in 2016, the campaign reflects SAYFC’s commitment to normalising conversations around mental health within the Young Farmers community.

The collaboration between the campaign and Lesmahagow YFC emerged after their moving performance at the West Area Talent Spot held earlier this year at the SECC’s Armadillo venue in Glasgow. Their song, titled ‘Leave a Light On,’ originally written by Kilsyth singer-songwriter Tom Walker, conveys a message of support and hope to those facing tough times. However, the young farmers made it their own by incorporating rural references into the lyrics.

The process of creating the video spanned several months, with the members recording their vocals back in June. And last month, they were fortunate to capture a dry spell for filming, working with videographer Sandy Butler and sound engineer Gary Boyle. The footage was shot near Lesmahagow, with Tinto Hill resting in the background.

The cast featured three pipers, a drummer, singers, and a Highland dancer, who performed on a bale trailer that was used as a stage. Various scenes were also captured in the field and along a road. As the group worked to finalise the remaining elements of the song, the footage released this morning.

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Wallace Currie, SAYFC’s communications and marketing chair, explained: “The primary reason behind filming this clip is to raise awareness for mental health, even if it just reminds people to reach out to a friend or family member. Secondly, we want to highlight the incredible talent within our organisation—not just in Lesmahagow YFC but throughout SAYFC.”

Members of Lesmahagow YFC, now known as Bagri, released the video with the help of sponsors such as Galbraith, Scotmin, and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. The band, comprising of singers Neve and Mia Crooks, pipers Fraser Russell, Tom Armstrong, and Douglas Pinkerton, drummer John Pinkerton, and Highland dancer Elizabeth Leggate, created their own delivery of ‘Leave a Light On.’

Fraser Russell, one of the pipers, spoke on the final day of filming about the band’s motivation: “We’re really trying to raise awareness for the ‘Are Ewe Okay?’ campaign because mental health is such an important topic in the agricultural industry. We have to ensure farmers continue to talk, as it can be quite an isolated and lonely industry. Young Farmers, in particular, help keep communication open and make sure everyone is looking after each other.”

The idea for the music video originated from the audience’s powerful reaction to the band’s live performance of the song at this year’s West Area Talentspot. Neve Crooks, reflecting on the experience of performing on Young Farmers’ biggest stage, recalled: “You can’t hear anyone else on stage with you, and it’s terrifying, but it’s also incredibly exciting. Performing alongside other club members in such an emotional way was really special.”

The music video, premiered at 10am this morning: https://youtu.be/dkixvmZBnEg

For more information about the 'Are Ewe Okay?' campaign, visit www.sayfc.org/members/member-support/are-ewe-ok/.

Anyone feeling overwhelmed can contact RSABI’s 24/7 Freephone Helpline at 0808 1234 555 or reach them via live webchat or email at helpline@rsabi.org.uk.