A grand day was had by all at the 2024 Highland Rally on Saturday, May 25. Young Farmers relished the chance to gather once again for a full day of rally fun.
This year’s event was hosted by Caithness District at the Caithness Livestock Centre, courtesy of Aberdeen and Northern Marts, with NFU Mutual returning as the main sponsor. Generous contributions also came from ABP Food Group and G Mackay Buldoo.
With all prizes presented by Lynn Sinclair from the NFU, the prestigious Hamilton Auction Mart Trophy, awarded annually to the top-placed club at the Highland Rally, was secured by Bower YFC with an impressive 95 points. Forss YFC secured second place with 75 points, while Halkirk YFC took third with 55 points.
The day kicked off with a display of baking, handicrafts, and team entries in the industrial section. Bower YFC triumphed, winning the Nan Howie Silver Salver for the most points in Baking with 49 points. Halkirk YFC followed in second place with 40 points, and Inver Ross and Forss YFC tied third with 35 points each. The Press and Journal Rose Bowl, awarded to the club with the most points in the Industrial Section, also went to Bower YFC with 54 points. Forss YFC came second with 52.5 points, and Halkirk YFC was third with 42 points.
The stockjudging event, also held in the morning, saw over 150 members from six competing clubs participate, sponsored by ABP. The first-place team, Forss A, included Bethany Swanson, James Swanson, and Will Oag, winning the Farming News Trophy with 677 points. Bower A (Alistair McCarthy, Jak Murray, and William Campbell) secured second place with 633 points, while Bower B (John Forbes, Abbie Gunn, and Lauren Oag) came third with 632 points. The best individual honour for stockjudging and the Day Challenge Cup were awarded to Forss member Bethany Swanson, who scored 247 points. In the junior section, Bethany Swanson from Forss also took first place, Luke Taylor from Forss was second with 241 points, and Alec Cormack from Bower YFC secured third with 232 points.
The practical competitions featured fault finding (machine provided by R Henderson Mechanical and Welding Services, Watten), identification of feeds and weeds (provided by Ranald Angus, Barrogill Mains), welding (sponsored and run by M Mackay Engineering Services), planter construction (sponsored by Hamish Coghill and Rembrand), halter making (rope provided by Caithness Livestock Breeders), and a quiz. Bower YFC emerged victorious in the practical section with 28 points, followed by Inver Ross YFC with 23 points and Halkirk YFC with 22 points.
In the afternoon members competed in various sports, including boys’ five-a-side football, girls’ five-a-side football, mixed netball, tossing the sheaf, tug of war, and an obstacle race. Bower YFC topped the sports section with 52 points, Forss YFC came second with 42.5 points, and Inver Ross YFC placed third with 37 points.
Robbie Levack of Forss YFC was crowned Highland Area Young Farmer of the Year, with Eilish Johnston of Nairn YFC as the runner-up, and Ryan Luckhurst of Inver Ross YFC in third place. Robbie will now advance to the National Competition, where he has a chance to win a brand-new ATV, donated by ATV Services.
Rally convenor John Swanson said: “It was great to see so many members coming along on the day, great to see everyone enjoying the event.”
Leading Awards
Hamilton Auction Mart Trophy (top placed club) – 1, Bower YFC 95 points. 2, Forss YFC 75 points. 3, Halkirk YFC 55 points.
Nan Howie Silver Salver (baking) – 1, Bower YFC 49 points. 2, Halkirk YFC 40 points. 3, Inver Ross and Forss YFC 49 points.
Press and Journal Rose Bowl (industrial section) – 1, Bower YFC 54 points. 2, Forss YFC 52.5 points. 3, Halkirk YFC 42 points.
Farming News Trophy (stockjudging team) – 1, Forss A (Bethany Swanson, James Swanson, Will Oag) 677 points. 2, Bower A (Alistair McCarthy, Jak Murray, William Campbell) 633 points. 3, Bower B (John Forbes, Abbie Gunn, Lauren Oag) 632 points.
Day Challenge Cup (best individual at stockjudging) – Bethany Swanson, Forss YFC 247 points.
Best individuals’ at stockjudging (junior section) – 1, Bethany Swanson, Forss YFC 247 points. 2, Luke Taylor, Forss YFC 241 points. 3, Alec Cormack, Bower YFC 232 points.
Practical section – 1, Bower YFC 28 points. 2, Inver Ross YFC 23 points. 3, Halkirk YFC 22 points.
Sports section – 1, Bower YFC 52 points. 2, Forss YFC 42.5 points. 3, Inver Ross YFC 37 points.
Highland Area Young Farmer of the Year – 1, Robbie Levack, Forss YFC. 2, Eilish Johnston, Nairn YFC. 3, Ryan Luckhurst, Inver Ross YFC.
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