Young Farmers rally at Quoybrae to mark 100th anniversary of Caithness scene
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An open rally at Aberdeen and Northern Marts Ltd's base at Quoybrae is the latest event to celebrate the Caithness roots of the young farmers' movement in Scotland.
A bumper programme of activities has been arranged to help mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Lannergill club, which was the first in the country.
It is long gone but the young farmers' scene remains alive and kicking in the far north.
Past and former members along with the general public are being invited to come to the charity rally on Saturday, July 1.
Sandy Douglas, who chairs the anniversary committee, said: "It will be a chance for everyone to get together and take part in some competitions, catch up with old friends and rivals and enjoy the craic and help us celebrate 100 years of Young Farmers in Caithness.
"It's not just for young farmers – it's open to anybody who wants to come along and take part."
The rally gets under way with the Young Farmers' stockjudging competition, which is open to individuals and teams of three.
The anniversary competition is broken into best future, past, male, female and senior member and best open stockjudging.
There is also a packed programme of other agri skills, baking, floral arts, sports and novelty activities such as welly throwing, sheaf tossing and six-legged races.
An auction, conducted by Philip Coghill, and a raffle will be followed by an evening dance.
Proceeds are to go to the RSABI, MFR's Cash for Kids and the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance.
Judges are: Stockjudging – Kenny Campbell, Jonnie Campbell, George Cormack, Gary Oag and Stephen Sutherland.
Industrial – Charles Angus, William Gunn, Andrew Mackay snr, Kathleen Gunn, Kerry Mackenzie, Lesley Oliphant and Hilda Sutherland.
Agri Skills – Willie Budge, Bruce Foubister and Graham Mackay.
Sports – Sandy Douglas, Iain Miller and George Sinclair.
The anniversary celebrations got under way with a tractor run through the county at the end of last year.
Future events include the unveiling of a commemorative Caithness flagstone plaque at the dwelling at Lannergill, which used to house the village school where the YF club held its meetings from 1923 onwards.
It preceded the foundation in 1938 of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs, which has more than 3500 members in 72 clubs.
A display marking the anniversary is being staged at this weekend's Royal Highland Show at Ingliston.
The programme climaxes with a dinner/dance in Wick in November and another tractor run in December.
