Tour – 2009 Highland Run

“Highland Run” 8th/9th May

Friday Morning –  To accommodate the many members who come from many different parts of Scotland, the Run really got started from the Altnamore Hotel, Blairgowrie although Bob Baillie and Mike How had arranged easy runs up from the west and Edinburgh respectively for those members living in the central belt.  Driving up from the south to Blairgowrie the heavens opened up with torrential rain most of the way!  However, this was no matter as what a great weekend it would turn out to be!  The 49 member “competitors” and partners congregated at the Altamount House Hotel, Blairgowrie, where we had a pleasant lunch.

Waiting for the Start at the Altamount House 

The car park at the Altamount was like a Concours D’Elegance with several beautifully prepared vehicles –   E-Type Jaguar, Ferrari, Maserati, MGA Coupe, MGB, MGF, etc.

Click on an image below to enlarge a few of the cars in “Parc Ferme”  

After lunch, by 1.30 we were flagged off by Mike How, who was only able to be at the start due to business commitments.  Our final destination was the Grant Arms, Grantown-on-Spey.  The sun had eventually decided to appear and ‘hoods down’ was the consensus. This was fine for those who only had to press a button, but for those like your scribe (who had forgotten the intricacies of an MGB hood), this was a somewhat slow and verbally heated process.

As we should have expected, the sun shortly disappeared and it was ‘hoods up’ for the rest of the trip north.  Over the Lecht the rain gave way to sleet making the last leg down to the Spey valley quite exciting!  However, we all arrived safely at Grantown-on-Spey late on Friday afternoon, where the Grant Arms Hotel awaited us.

---

Friday evening started off with a cocktail reception when everyone got to know each other a bit better and quite a few members bought the latest embroidered VSMA headgear which was being enthusiastically sold by your Hon. Secretary!

Some snaps taken at the Friday evening reception 

Then it was off to dinner during which President Jimmy and Bob Baillie made a few remarks of welcome!  After dinner, it was down to practice for the serious business of the “Highland Speed Challenge” (to be held on Saturday evening) on the Scalextric circuit, which had kindly been provided by Gordon and Karen Clendinning.

Track and vehicles on the “Highland Speed Challenge” 

Bob had divided the group into two classes, Drivers and Co-drivers.  It was thought that the men would be the more competitive but surprise, surprise it was the ladies who turned out to be extremely aggressive and with several excellent times!  So much so that Bob decided that he would have to get a Ladies Prize for Saturday night’s main event.

---

Saturday morning saw most of us up bright and breezy, although some showed early signs of post-competitive stress somewhat strangely relieved by Alka-seltzer!  The first outing was a trip to Aviemore and back on the privately owned steam train.  This brought back pleasant memories for most of us and it was nice to be driven for a change!   In the afternoon for most of the “Competitors”, it was off to the Macallan distillery near Aberlour for a conducted tour and a wee dram at the end.  Then it was back to the hotel to get ready for the evening festivities. 

Saturday Evening – an excellent dinner was followed by the serious business of the “Highland Speed Challenge”. The gentlemen were desperate to beat the ladies on the track – an almost impossible task. It was suggested by more than a few gentlemen that “thems wimen must have been practising”.  Anyway, apart from Ian Gemmell who had obviously been practising hard, the men were put to shame.  The track closed down at 11 pm when most retired to drown their sorrows.

Results of Highland Speed Challenge

1st Driver             –   Ian Gemmell with a time of 1 minute 34 seconds

1st Co-Driver       –   Nancy Crichton with a time of 1 minute 38 seconds

1st Ladies prize    –  Netta Young with a time of 1 minute 36 seconds

---

Sunday morning  – breakfast saw the presentation of prizes to the winners of the “Highland Speed Challange” – bottles of Macallan whisky and Macallan jam!!

Presentation of Prizes 

Sunday afternoon and evening   –  After breakfast, apart from those souls who had decided to stay for another day, everyone else made for home and a rest!  After seeing everyone off, the remaining 16 went there separate ways, visiting garden centres, visiting local friends, watching Osprey nests, etc., but generally having a quiet and restful morning and afternoon.  Dinner in the evening was much more subdued than on the Saturday with an early night for some!

Monday morning departure 

Finally  –   It was unanimously agreed that this had been a great venture, with the repeated plea “When is the next one?”.  From the proceeds of the Highland Speed Challenge plus the donation from Tunnocks we were able to donate a grand total of £500 to Glasgow University Trust Fund for leukaemia research.

Many, many thanks are due to Bob Baillie, the Clerk of the Course, Chief Marshal and altogether general factotum, for all his hard work before and during the event. Thanks, Bob.

Stuart Parker

---

2009 Highland Run “Competitors”

Kenny Allen & Kenny Gunn      Fraser Anderson & Alastair Clark    Bob & Margaret Baillie

Donald & Lilian Brown              Mid & Valerie Bruce              Gordon & Karen Clendinning

Barry & Nancy Crichton       Bill & Ann Cuthbertson       Chris Edwards & Andy Fenwick

Ian & Louise Gemmell                Walter & Bette Gray            Jimmy & Arlene McInnes

Hugh Mackinnon & Olly Ross    Bill & Eileen Montgomery          Malcolm & Anne Noble

Stuart & Mairi Parker                 Duncan & Adele Paterson           Ian & Margaret Smillie

Pat & John Smith                        Ron & Elspeth Smith                Bill & Frances Thomson

Graham & Margaret Wright      Alexander & Carol Anne Young       Charlie & Netta Young

 

BACK TO THE PAST RUNS INDEX

Tour – 2019 Spring Run

27th to 30th April

Friday Morning Start

This year’s Spring Tour was destined to be held in Cumbria, primarliy to visit M-Sport a loction which had been requested to visit for many years by several members.

 

As usual the event had been organised by Bob Baillie and started fron the Hetland Garden Centre south of Dumfries just off the A75.  A simple route had been devised by Bob Baillie using Google Maps.

The usual entrants (33 in all) gathered at the garden Centre prior to starting off at around 11.30.  The route would by-pass Calisle, down the A689 towards Cockermouth and hence into M-Sport’s premises in time to start the tour of M-Sport by 1.00pm.

---

M-Sport

Overview of the M-Sport’s eventual facilities at Cockermouth. The track is now complete. Other areas such as 1,6,7,8,12 and 13 in the above plan are currently under construction.

To those who don’t know, M-Sport was an enterprise started and now run by one of our members, Malcolm Wilson.  He was a well known rallyist in the UK as well as in Scottish events. During the competitive phase of his career, while he was searching for bits for his rally car, he decided that he could make a business by selling these “bits” to fellow rallyists……… the rest is “History” as they say.

Having spread his wings he now runs an International company that produces complete Rally Cars for major manufactures for the World Rally Championship, as well as a few privateeers.  Malcolm nearly always accompanies his cars around all the World Rally Championship events!

Our members were delighted to be taken round M-Sport’s facilities.  Understandably, we were not allowed to take any photographs of their workshops or the vehicles being prepared – not just for World Cup Rally cars but racing cars including several Racing Bentleys!

He has certainly come along way since I first met him while running the International Burmah Rally during the 60’s and the 70’s.

ALL photographs shown in this article are curtesy of member Margaret Smillie, unless shown otherwise, and they were taken in M-Sport’s own “Museum”.

.

 

---

Friday Evening

Following our amazing visit to M-Sport the route took us down through the centre of the Lakes to our headquarters in the Newby Bridge Hotel at the foot of lake Windermere.  Bob had arranged a reception followed by dinner in the Hotel.

Having been suitably refreshed we proceeded to dinner where most of us were to be seated at one very long table.

Following dinner it was back to the bar to plan the following day’s activities.

---

Saturday Morning, Afternoon and Evening

The plan on Saturday was firstly to visit the Lakeland Motor Museum which was less than a mile along the A590.  Prior to visiting the Museum a few members took time to visit the Hotel’s garden to inspect several ancient statues.

After this visit having left our cars in the museum car park we were bussed along to Lakeside where would board a steamer.  This would take us up Lake Windermere to Bowness where we could alight to shop or have some lunch.

Unfortunately the rain came when we were cruising on Winderemere but a nice relaxing afternoon none-the-less.

“Back on land” we were back to the Hotel for Dinner, etc.

---

Sunday Morning

First thing on Sunday Morning was to visit one of the only remaining bobbin mills in existence in the Lake District.  They first began during the Industrial Revolution when the cotton trade was at its height in the Midlands. Being close to where cotton cloth was being made, the Lakes were ideal place to produce bobbins used to hold the threads used in weaving.  Lots of water power and plenty of trees were the ideal magterials to produce the many millions required initially in the Midlands but latterly throughout the whole world. With the advent of used for steam power, the use of water declind as did the many mills themselves.  Today there are only a handful left.  The one we visited is now just a museum but a very whorthwhile place to visit.

Following the visit to the bobbin mill we were left to visit several sites south west in and around Burness-in-Furness, includingCumnria Crystal in Ulverston.  We visited the Dock Museum in a Victorian Dry Dock in Barrow-in-Furness which was also worth a visit.  Following this was a pleasant run back to Newbridge via the north edge of Morecambe Bay.

Sunday evening was a good bit quieter than the previous evening causing a number of our members having an early night.

---

Monday Departure

Following a leisurely breakfast most gathered in the Hotel forecourt for a “photoshoot” unfortunately not all stayed on for this event.

Finally it is time to thank Bob and Margaret Baillie for all the time and effort they had put into providing yet again a marvellous Spring weekend.  Where to next Bob?

---

 

Back to the Past Runs Index

Tour – 2021 Autumn Run

Autumn Run              19th September 2021

List of Participants

Bob & Margaret Baillie	Barry & Nancy Crichton	Ian & Wilma Marwick
Willie& Marnie Crawford	Billy & Ann Cuthbertson	Tom & Marion Bicket
Ian & Margaret Smillie	Charlie Young	Mid Bruce
Bill & Eileen Montgomery	Chris & Mary Paton	Hugh & Pat MacKinnon
Alastair & Isabel Muir	John & Audrey Methven

 

26 members in 13 cars attended this well organised event, starting off at Garrion Bridges Garden and Antiques Centre at 11.00am destination Hetland Hall Hotel, Carrutherstown, Dumfries and Galloway. After suitable sustenance we set off on a 103 mile run to Heltand Hall Hotel.

Signing on at Garrion Bridge Garden Centre.

This most interesting Run had been created by Bob Baillie and Middleton Bruce with no doubt two or three runs to check everything.

We were supplied by Bob and Mid direction sheets using the familiar Ball and Arrow system featuring signposts and inter and total mileages. The route took us on most interesting A and B roads which were a pleasure to drive on. The route took us through Lanark, Biggar, Peebles, Moffat and Lockerbie with notes on food and toilet stops a thoughtful and necessary part of any route directions.

On arrival at Hetland Hall the group checked in and familiarised themselves with the Hotel before meeting in the bar for pre-dinner drinks.

Dinner looked interesting and the food turned out to be excellent.

After dinner we retired to the “Lounge Bar” for tea and coffee. Chairman Bob suggested that a visit to the Devil’s Porridge Museum nearby would be a good choice for the next day.

The Devil’s Porridge Museum commemorates H.M. Factory Gretna which was the largest munitions factory during the First World War. The Factory was built to alleviate the significant lack of ammunition, “The Shell Crisis” experienced by British soldiers fighting in France in 1915. It was agreed by the whole group after their visit that it is a “must” if in the area.

The “House Keeping” arrangements finished by chairman Bob producing his guitar and a sing song ended the evening.

Monday 20th September

Some of the party managed to visit the Porridge Museum in the afternoon of the 20^th as restricted numbers meant we could not all be accommodated. Another area of interest which would be visited in the morning was Caerlaverock Castle and Nature reserve. Only the foundations of the Castle remain and it is thought to be one of the earliest stone built Castles in Scotland, around 1300 and surrounded by a double moat and replica trebuchet. Unfortunately due to falling masonry the Castle was closed during our time there.

The adjoining nature reserve proved to be an interesting alternative featuring various viewing areas which gave a very good view of barnacle geese, the entire population of Svalbard, Norway which winter on the Solway, a most interesting visit.

Most of the group had booked for one overnight stay, some for two and Nancy and Barry Crichton and Ian and Margaret Smillie for three nights.

A vote of thanks must be given to Bob Baillie and Mid Bruce for arranging the route and visits of interest. Good byes were wished to those leaving after breakfast and with wishes and a reminder that we will come together again at the Spring Run in 2022, which will be published on the Web Site soon.

Barry Crichton

Vice Chairman

Back to Members Home Page                           Back To Touring Runs Index

Tour – 2012 Spring Run

Friday 20th to Monday 23rd April

This year’s run was a departure from the three previous runs which had been based at the Grant Arms in Grantown-on-Spey.  Although the Grant Arms had served us exceedingly well in the past, it was felt that a change of location and scenery was about due.  As it turned out, we couldn’t have gone much further south and still remained in Scotland!  Bob Baillie and Mid Bruce had devised a route which took us to the North West Castle in Stranraer as our headquarters for the three nights.  Entries were down slightly from previous as you can see from the List of Entrants below.  Most Entrants were from Ayrshire and the central belt but some came from much further afield.  Unfortunately, David Fotheringham and Susan Gould had to pull out at the last minute due to illness.

List of Entrants

Bob & Margaret Baillie, Mazda 2, Mauchline    Ian & Margaret Smillie, BMW, Milngavie

Barry & Nancy Crichton, BMW,  Cumbernauld   Stuart & Mairi Parker, MGB,  Larkhall

Charlie & Netta Young, Mercedes, Strathaven  John & Jay Thomson, Mercedes, Hamilton

Tom & Marion Bicket, Mazda 6, Symington   Bill & Eileen Montgomery,  Perth

Ian & Louise Gemmell, Land Rover, Mauchline  Jimmy & Arlene McInnes, MGTF,  Troon

Walter & Bette Gray, Mazda MX5,  Perth    Billy & Anne Cuthbertson, E Type, Troon

Pat & John Smith, Vauxhall Corsa,  Elgin    Mid & Val Bruce, Quantum 2+2,  Annbank

Tommy & Elma Scott, Audi A3,  Kilmarnock  David Fotheringham & Susan Gould,  By Stair

---

Friday Morning and Afternoon:

Those not from Ayrshire had been given a route from Garrion Bridge on the Clyde, which took them to The Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway where they were to meet up with the others.

After a welcome cup of coffee in the new museum shown above, at around 11 am, we departed to follow a common route which took us down, as close to the coast as possible, to Ballantrae. This year Bob had decided, instead of using the familiar ‘ball and arrow’ instructions, to use Google’s downloaded instructions from the net instead! These appeared fine on paper but heads were being scratched no end over the whole weekend as a result!  I suppose it did add to the fun (but not to some tempers)!  From Ballantrae, we headed inland via Colmonell and Barrhill to Newton Stewart where we stopped for lunch and a stroll around the town.  By this time we had driven about 65 miles from Alloway (those from Garrion another 41 miles while those from Elgin another 240 miles!!)  Fortunately, so far the weather had been pretty fair.  The three “going open”, the Cuthbertson’s E-Type Jaguar, the McInnes MGTF and the Parker MGB, had only to stop once because of a rain shower, to put their hoods up before we got to Newton Stewart.  From there, it was only a short main road 25 miles to the final stop at Stranraer.  Unfortunately, the McInnes and the Cuthbertson’s, who had decided to go open again, were really caught short by a sudden and torrential hail storm halfway along the A75.  But we all arrived unscathed and looked forward to what the hotel had to offer.

 We were certainly not to be disappointed with the North West Castle Hotel.  The accommodation and food were really excellent, certainly, up to the standard we had come to expect in previous Runs.  Before dinner, many entrants took a stroll around Stranraer harbour. 

  Friday Evening:

Bob Baillie had laid on a reception before dinner in the Hotel’s Jubilee Room. After dinner following custom, our Chairman, Mr James W. McInnes entertained the company with a few amusing tales!  Thereafter the proceedings continued in the Jubilee Room.  Gordon and Karen Clendinning had again brought their very large Scalextric track for us to enjoy.

Friday evening’s competition was laid out to allow for a marathon Knockout Race Competition.  Names were drawn from a hat and paired.  The winner of each pair going on to the next level until the eventual winner was found.  This turned out to be Tom Bicket with Bill Montgomery as runner-up.

---

Saturday Morning and Afternoon:

The weather on Saturday was more settled being sunny but cold. We started off at 10 o’clock more or less in convoy. The route for the day was to take us all around the Mull of Galloway.  We headed south initially to Logan Botanical Gardens where there was a stop. Everyone enjoyed walking around this well-established garden – amazed at the variety of flora and just how far ahead the plants were compared to our own gardens at home, due to the gulf stream weather.  

From Logan, we travelled as far south as possible to the lighthouse at the end of the Rhinns of Galloway.  Just before the lighthouse was the Gallie Craig Coffee House where we had a welcomed lunch looking out over the Irish sea.  

The weather continued to be fine as we drove up the Rhinns to Portpatrick – for another stroll and another break for more refreshments!

The route then took us up to the north of the Mull to Kirkcolm where there were wartime bases for Sunderland Flying Boats – then it was straight back to Stranraer –  and for some a welcomed siesta!

Saturday Evening: 

A reception was followed by another excellent dinner, which again was followed by a story or two from our Chairman.  These were enjoyed not only by our own company but also by the adjoining table of golfers! Thereafter we adjourned to the Jubilee Room where Gordon had laid on a slightly different layout for a five-lap Time Trial.

Entrants were given a few practice laps prior to being timed officially. There appeared to be no limit on the number of shots that were allowed so the competition became quite fierce, especially among the female entrants. As you will see from the results below showing the top dozen results, the ladies showed the men just how it was done! The slowest time of the evening was recorded by our esteemed Chairman and Story Teller in Chief (who shall remain nameless to protect the McInnes family name).  It should be pointed out that not all present cared to show their talents, or lack of same, by not entering the competition!  Enough said!

Sunday Morning and Afternoon: 

As some were heading home at the end of the Sunday run, at breakfast Bob presented the prizes to the Scalextric Maximum Attack winners.  He also presented Gordon Clendinning with a cheque for £385 from V.S.M.A., again to be given to the Glasgow University Trust towards Gordon’s leukaemia charity.

After photographs were taken (for Cutty Sark the Spring Run’s sponsors) we set off shortly after 10 o’clock.  We again went south, this time as far as the Isle of Whithorn village.

We stopped at the Isle of Whithorn for a quick look around the harbour before heading north to Gatehouse-of-Fleet where lunch awaited us at the Murray Arms Hotel.

 

 

 

 

Lunch in the Murray Arms, Gatehouse-of-Fleet

With little time remaining, we headed up to Laurieston to the Bellymack Farm in time to see the Red Kites being fed at 2.0 o’clock.  Unfortunately, when we got there the rain started but we were able to make use of the ‘Hide’ where an officer of the RSPB enlightened us on these marvellous birds.  If you have never seen such a spectacle as their feeding, I would highly recommend a visit to the site if you are ever in the area.

The group broke up after the Red Kite visit, with the majority making their way north for home, while the dozen who remained made their way back to Stranraer.  As the weather was still slightly inclement (it was bucketing), few, if any of us, took Bob’s recommended route to Newton Stewart and hence to Stranraer, via the Raider’s Road through the Galloway Forest.  The main road was hard enough!

Compared with the previous two evenings, Sunday night at the hotel was very quiet!

Monday Morning:

The remaining few said their farewells on Monday after breakfast.  It was unanimously agreed that it had been another most enjoyable weekend.  Looking forward to the next one.  Bob Baillie had again provided the ingredients for the Spring Run – interesting route, interesting places to visit and some not so gentle evening competition!  Many thanks again Bob and Mid. Well done.

Many thanks are also due to all the entrants who sent in the above photographs.  Much appreciated.

Stuart Parker  17th May 2012

---

Back to Past Runs Index

 

Saturday’s Time Trial Results (5 laps)

1st   Mid Bruce                    56.7 seconds

2nd  Tommy Scott              56.4 seconds

3rd   Bill Montgomery        56,7 seconds

4th   Eileen Montgomery    57.9 seconds

5th   Anne Cuthbertson    58.0 seconds

6th   Billy Cuthbertson     58.5 seconds

7th   Margaret Smillie      60.0 seconds

8th   Mairi Parker             62.0 seconds

9th   Bob Baillie                 64.0 seconds

10th  Ian Gemmell              65.0 seconds

11th  Pat Smith                   67.0 seconds

12th  Margaret Baillie        68.0 seconds