2026 Spring Run Report

VETERANS OF SCOTTISH MOTORSPORT SPRING RUN 2026.

Organised by Meg Sword & Mid Bruce.

Our Spring Run this year commenced with members congregating at the Moffat Woolen Mill with breakfast to set us on our way.

Route plans were dispensed and our first stop led us to Johnstons of Elgin in Hawick for a light lunch. There were a few purchases made prior to the onward journey to the White Swan at Alnwick. The weather was kind and provided us some beautiful scenery on the carefully planned route.

Once settled in our respective rooms members met for a welcome drink. Our Chairman, Chris, greeted everyone and gave a short resume of the planned activities ahead. It was a chance to chat and catch up with other members prior to dinner in the Olympic Suite, featuring original wood panelling, mirrors, and ceiling panels salvaged from RMS Olympic, sister ship to the Titanic. A very impressive place to eat.

Our first morning took us on a trip to Linda Cowan’s home where we had some light refreshments. We were joined by Louise Aitken Walker, Doug Niven, Malcolm Noble, Jonathon Lord and Marion Syer. Another opportunity to chat before leaving for Duns for an organised Private Viewing of the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum in Duns.

The museum is not normally open on a Wednesday but Doug Niven, Jim Clark’s cousin and a trustee of the museum, opened for the VSMA. Doug was involved in motor racing driving for the Border Reivers team, and won many championships in the U.K. driving saloons and grand touring cars. He gave an introduction with an insight from a family perspective to who Jim Clark the man actually was. Members then wandered around this excellent record of “Jim Clark, Motor Racing Driver”. Some of the cars that Jim drove were on display and there were also some fabulous models of others he’d driven. An opportunity to have a photo taken alongside him too! Some interesting interactive displays, not just for the kids!

The spectacular “Golden Helmet” along with the numerous other awards show what an amazing talent we lost. Many pictures adorn the walls to show his life and love of motorsport. This is a very impressive display with more yet to come as the trust continues to raise funds for the next phase of the museum. A very exciting prospect and hopefully another visit in the future.

After our enthralling visit we returned to Linda’s for a light lunch and a chance to see again Andrew’s wonderful car collection. A truly exhilarating collection. Linda gave us a very interesting introduction of the cars including both Andrew and her career in motorsport over the years. Very impressive. No photography is allowed of the car collection, so alas no pictures.

The Jim Clark Trophy which Andrew had been awarded in 1977, Linda presented to Doug for the Museum. A magnificent gesture and we look forward to seeing it on display there.

We returned to the hotel for dinner which was followed by an entertaining music quiz rounding off this most enjoyable day. Our quiz master Chairman Chris was assisted by his wife, Mary. Teams were very competitive but the victors were team Oversized; Tony Fleming, Nancy Crichton, Charlie Young, Ian & Margaret Smillie.

For those who didn’t do so well, a competition to fly their answer sheets/aeroplane through the decorative ceiling light! It seemed a fitting end to a successful day.

Our second day was left for all to explore the area at their leisure. Meg supplied a list of what was available in the area.

Ian and Wilma Marwick, who are normally on the run, met everyone at the hotel for coffee. They accompanied those visiting Lindisfarne for the afternoon before travelling back home. Lovely to see them and catch up, although brief.

For our final evenings dinner Linda Cowan and Marion Syer joined us. It was a perfect ending to another very successful Spring Run.