Scottish young farmers’ ‘Big Build’ campaign enjoys £290k top-up
Left to right: Pat Machray, Euan Bremner, national chairman of SAYFC and Penny Montgomerie, chief executive of SAYFC © Ditte Solgaard Dunn/First Light Photography An initiative to build a new national centre for the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) is moving a step closer with a £123,000 donation.
It is one of three donations made by the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland’s (Rhass) involving funds raised by the 2025-26 Aberdeenshire Presidential Initiative (PI).
See also: SAYFC halfway to ‘Big Build’ fundraising goal
The Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Fund (Rsabi) also received £81,000 to support its work, while Rhass retained £86,000 to help meet the cost of a new cattle washing facility at the Royal Highland Centre.
The financial gift to the SAYFC marks a significant boost to its “Big Build” campaign, aiming to create the new facility at the Ingliston showground.
Last February the organisation passed the halfway mark in its attempt to raise the £1.6m needed.
The latest donation takes it way past the £1m mark.
Inverurie sheep farmer and Rhass president Pat Machray, who led the PI’s fundraising efforts, says the amount of money raised reflected the “tremendous generosity, commitment and community spirit’’ of Scotland’s rural sector.
Mr Machray is one of the Rhass presidential team, made up of ambassadors from the regional “host” area where the Royal Highland Show would have traditionally been held when it travelled annually, before moving to a permanent site in 1960.
In 2026 it would have been in Aberdeenshire.
David Tennant, head of show at Rhass, paid tribute to Mr Machray and his team.
“The success of the show depends on the dedication of people like Pat and all those who support the Presidents’ Initiative, and we thank them for their hard work and commitment.”
