Two’s a Triumph

Forss and Bower Share Top Spot at SAYFC Highland Rally in Historic Joint Win

SAYFC’s Highland Region held their annual Rally on Saturday the 31st of May at Quoybrae Auction Mart. The Rally which was sponsored by NFU Mutual Dingwall & Thurso is always a highlight in the regional calendar and it draws members out in force looking to take part in the competitions and get their club a chance at the coveted Hamilton Trophy.

The Rally has a brilliant range of activities for members to get involved in with sections including Practical, Sports, Industrial, Home-Baking and Stockjudging. And it’s the sheer quantity and variety of competitions that makes the final result of the day all the more extraordinary. For the first time ever, after all the events were complete and the final scores were added up, two teams sat tied at the top. Bower YFC and Forss YFC simply could not be separated with both clubs performing admirably throughout the day. And so, in an historic first for the event, they both claimed their half of the Hamilton Trophy and the joint title of Rally Winners 2026. A brilliant and unique achievement in Young Farmers history.

Forss Chair Cameron Coghill is over the moon at the win which was also the club’s first rally title in 35 years:

“We are delighted that for the first time since 1991, Forss Young Farmers, alongside Bower Young Farmers, have taken joint First Place at the Highland Rally!

With our club receiving most points in the sports, very successful members in stock judging, lots of points gained in the baking and industrial section and many more achievements. I am incredibly proud of all our members and the hard work, dedication and teamwork they have shown to achieve this result.”

Bower Chair Beth Douglas echoed Cameron’s excitement and praised the work that went into the day:

“The Highland Rally is always a highly anticipated event in our calendar and once again, it did not disappoint! It was a fantastic day for everyone involved with such a high level of competition across the board. Our members have worked so hard over the past month with rally preparations and fully deserved a win for all their efforts, alongside Forss YF who we are delighted to share top spot with.

We had a good few members who were experiencing their first rally, but everyone got stuck into everything over the course of the day which is all we ask from them and on behalf of the committee, we couldn’t be more proud of our members! It was an excellent outcome for our club but no matter what the results were, the highlight is always catching up with friends in other clubs and the socialising that goes on a little later in the day. The friendships and fun that come from days like the rally are exactly what young farmers is all about and we had a brilliant day and night with everyone

Congratulations to Forss on the joint win and to all clubs who competed, scored and placed in every section. Extended thanks again to all travelling clubs, organisers, stewards and judges who were involved in making the day such a success.”

As is reflected in the final results, it was a highly competitive day across the various sections of competition with a number of clubs and individuals claiming silverware: Bower impressed with their craft and culinary talents as they claimed both the Press & Journal Rosebowl (for most points in the Industrial section) and the Nan Howie Silver Salver (for points earned in the Baking Section; as Cameron mentioned Forss were a force in the sports section taking home the Highland Cup; the Practical Cup (for points earned in the Practical section) was collected by InverRoss YFC; and in the Stockjudging there were a few notable performances, Nairn B took top spot in the Team competition earning the Farming News Trophy, Abby Mill of Forss achieved first place in the Ladies competition and Andrew Sinclair of Halkirk had a fantastic competition coming first in the Junior section and taking home the Day Challenge Trophy for best individual overall.

The regional qualifier for SAYFC’s prestigious Young Farmer of the Year Competition was also held on the day with Marcus Slater of Harray taking top spot and earning progression to the National Final.

The event was a great success which is down to the hard work of members, volunteers, judges and supporters who contributed on the day. North Chair William Campbell summarised what will be a very memorable rally:

“At this year’s Highland Rally there was an excellent standard of competition on display with members returning for one of the biggest days of year in the highland Young Farmers calendar. As always, a massive thank you must go to NFU Mutual Dingwall & Thurso for sponsoring the competition and to all the judges, stewards and donors for giving there’s time to make the day possible and of course to all the competitors for making it a day to remember. Finally, I’d like to congratulate Forss and Bower for placing joint first with the rally landing in a tie for the first time ever.”