RYE European Rally 2026

Days 1–3 – Exploring Switzerland

Our RYE European Rally adventure began with a flight from Edinburgh to Zurich. Before heading to Landquart for the Rally, we spent a few days exploring Switzerland and experiencing some of what the country had to offer. One of the highlights was travelling up Mount Pilatus on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. At the top, we were lucky enough to see a mountain goat and plenty of the famous Swiss cows, complete with their bells. We also visited the Lindt chocolate factory, where we learned more about Swiss chocolate production and enjoyed some time swimming in Lake Zurich.

On Day 3, Euan travelled to Landquart to attend the RYE General Assembly, where he put forward a successful bid for SAYFC to host the RYE Autumn Seminar in 2028. Meanwhile, the girls explored Zurich city centre and met up with the Welsh team before heading on to Landquart.

Days 4–10 – European Rally

This year’s European Rally was based around the theme “Leadership in the Age of AI”, bringing together rural youth members from 17 different organisations across Europe. We arrived at the Rally and got dressed up in our tartan for the official opening ceremony. It was a great opportunity to meet young farmers from across Europe, make new friends and learn about farming and rural life in different countries. The first few days of the Rally consisted of a series of workshops focusing on Artificial Intelligence, including how AI can be used and the different platforms available. The sessions gave us an insight into how new technology could be used within our organisation.

There was also plenty of entertainment in the evenings. At the International Buffet, each country brought along some of its favourite foods and products. We were proud to showcase some Scottish favourites, including Irn-Bru, whisky, butteries and shortbread. We also took part in a games night, competing against each other in our buddy groups, followed by a talent show, where we proudly showcased some of Scotland’s “national anthems”.

Day 7 – Excursion Day

Excursion Day gave everyone the chance to explore different parts of the Zurich area and see firsthand how Swiss businesses and farms are incorporating AI technologies. The group split into three different excursions: Across the different excursions, we visited a range of farms, businesses and attractions, including boat tours and even an elevator museum. The visits provided a fascinating insight into how AI and new technology are being incorporated into different businesses to improve efficiency and productivity.

Day 8 – Host Families

At the end of Day 7, we headed off to stay with our host families. The experiences were definitely mixed, with some of us having more memorable stays than others! It was, however, a great opportunity to meet local people, see how they live and get a different perspective on life in Switzerland. It was also reassuring to see that hosting comes with many of the same challenges in Switzerland as it does at home, We are very grateful to the Swiss organising team for all the hard work they put into finding hosts for the group. Organising accommodation for such a large number of people is no easy task and we really appreciated the effort that went into making the hosting possible.

Day 9 – Host Party and International Dancing

After spending the day with our host families, we returned to the Rally base in Landquart for a dinner with our host families. The evening finished with a dance party where each country had the opportunity to showcase one of their traditional or national dances. Naturally, the Scottish team chose Strip the Willow! It was a fantastic way to bring everyone together and celebrate the different cultures represented at the Rally.

Day 10 – Closing Ceremony

The Rally came to an end with the closing ceremony, bringing everyone together one final time to celebrate the week and reflect on the experiences we had shared. The evening also featured the RYE Awards, where Bute Young Farmers were shortlisted for Inspirational Club of the Year, while Jillian Kennedy was awarded Inspirational Person of the Year.

The RYE European Rally was a fantastic experience, giving us the opportunity to meet young farmers from across Europe, experience Swiss culture, learn about the opportunities AI can bring to agriculture and, most importantly, represent SAYFC on an international stage. It was a trip filled with new experiences, new friendships and plenty of memories that we will take home with us.