Six Years of Success for Strichen JAC at the Grampian Rally

30 Jun Six Years of Success for Strichen JAC at the Grampian Rally

Strichen JAC Crowned 2026 Grampian Rally Winners for a sixth year in succession

The sun shone on Fettercairn showfield for the 2026 SAYFC Grampian Rally on Saturday 27^th June. An action packed day lay ahead for the members attending the event, which was organised by the year’s hosts, Aberdeen & Kincardine District.

The rally committee welcomed over 200 members of Sixteen clubs from around the Grampian area who competed in all aspects of the rally schedule from Stockjudging, Construction, Field Contests and sports to Arts and Crafts and Practical Competitions. Carnegie Fuels Ltd joined the event as Main Sponsors with Erica Taylor representing the company on the day.

The recipients of the Caroline Rennie Commemorative Rose Bowl for the sixth year in succession were Strichen JAC who were worthy winners on the day, powering ahead with a score, beating their own total last year, of 127 points, in second place were Echt YFC with 77 points and in third place were Vale of Alford with 70 Points. The Turriff JAC Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the best small club was won by Garioch JAC with 63 points, followed by Deer & Deer YFC with 40 points and in third place, Mearns with 37 points.

The Stockjudging was the first competition to take place in the morning, judging four classes of cattle three of sheep and a valuation class followed by reason giving for the top placed competitors. The first placed team winning the North of Scotland Association of Junior Agricultural Clubs Cup for Stockjudging were Strichen A with 1175 points (Melissa Buchan, James Lowe and Stuart Ross), second were Vale of Alford B with 1151 points (Jodie Smith, Megan Glass-Smith and Laura Smith) and third Echt A with 1146 points (Hannah Lorimer, Lyndsey Brown and Beth Lorimer). The William Brown Cup for the best individual in the Stockjudging was won by Mitchell McGillivray, Keith & District YFC with 413 points and in second place Stuart Ross, Strichen JAC, 402 points and Frazer Low of Echt YFC with 398 points in third.

There was a fantastic display of entries in the industrial section which gave the judges a challenging morning and drew many comments from judges and visitors alike on the high standard of work produced by everyone who had entered. Outside, the Construction competition got under way with 15 teams making picnic benches, along with 24 teams competing in the junior, ladies and open Rope Making Competitions and various other practical field events throughout the day. The sports competitions were held in the afternoon which included football, netball, running and obstacle race. Many club names appeared in the prize list proving the dedication and effort that club members display in all areas of the Rally.

The day’s events concluded with the Tug of War, which saw nine ladies and eleven gents teams competing for the top spots. Results in the gents section, in first place and winning the Elrick/Inverurie Trophy were Kinneff JAC, second Udny JAC and third Inverurie JAC while in the ladies section, in first place and winning the Turriff NFU Shield were Strathbogie JAC, in second place Strichen JAC and Kinneff YFC in third.

The rally was also the venue for the Grampian eliminations of the National SAYFC Young Farmer of the Year competition, these competitors competed in 6 activities including stock judging, Gator driving, fault finding and a farm business quiz. The winner, going forward to our national finals later in the year was Euan McRae of Vale of Alford JAC with 31 points. In joint second place were Finlay Taylor of Kinneff YFC and Euan Smart of Turriff & District JAC with 28 points and in third was Ellen Glennie of Vale of Alford JAC with 26 points.

SAYFC North Region Vice Chair, Elspeth Walker said “It was great to see such an amazing turnout from all clubs in the area and congratulations to Strichen JAC for continuing their winning streak, an amazing achievement for the club. It was great to see the hard work and effort clubs put in to come along and compete on the day. Finally, thank you to the committee, stewards, judges and all who were involved with the organising and the set up. With special thanks to Carnegie Fuels for sponsoring the event and to NFU Mutual for sponsoring the raffle”

Other trophies were awarded as follows:

ADAM TROPHY – Individual with Best Exhibit in Floral Art Section

Winner: Alyx Davidson, Strichen

GRAMPIAN COUNTRY CHICKENS BAKING & FARM PRODUCE TROPHY – Club with most points in Baking Section

Winner: Strathbogie                                                                                                 

BARCLAY, ROSS & HUTCHISON TROPHY – Club entry: “Apres Ski” – (Club Display), 2 x Empire Biscuits (Baking) and A Sewn Placemat & Coaster (Handicrafts) Winner:  Garioch

PRESS & JOURNAL ROSE BOWL – Club gaining most points in Industrial Section

Winner: Strichen

ANDREW MEARNS CUP – Club winning the Construction Competition

Winner: Echt

MARNOCH JAC ROPEMAKING SHIELD – Club winning the Ropemaking

Winner: Udny

I & B MATTHEW TROPHY – Club winning the Ladies Ropemaking

Winner: Strathbogie

Newly Presented Trophy – STRICHEN JAC PERPETUAL SHIELD – Club winning the Junior Ropemaking

Winner: Strichen

EAST ABERDEENSHIRE DISTRICT CUP – Club with most points in Field Contests

Winner: Vale of Alford

ECHT YFC PERPETUAL CHALLENGE TROPHY – Club winning Five-a-side Football

Winner: Strichen

WEST ABERDEENSHIRE DISTRICT SHIELD – Club winning the Five-a-side Netball

Winner: Strichen                                                                                

FETTERCAIRN FARMERS CLUB CUP – Club with most points in the Sports Section

Winner: Strichen

THE SCOTGLASS LTD CLUB PARTICIPATION TROPHY – Club whose members participated most in the rally

Winner: Durris

Full Rally Section Results 26

Stockjudging Overall Placings

Stockjudging Results

If you have any questions or would like to have more information on specific competitions please contact Janelle via email [email protected]