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| Rally of the Borders; Clyde Valley – 8 September.
Story &
photos Jim Paterson
Our 31 crews gathered at New Lanark Heritage village for the start of the 2024 Rally of
the Borders; Clyde Valley. The morning was shrouded in east coast 'haar' for those
travelling to the start from the north and east. After the obligatory breakfast of bacon
rolls and coffee we headed to the western border country into Dumfries and Galloway.
Kirkness / Watt '76MGB/GT
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Paton Mini
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Cobb Toyota MR2
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Holmes / Clifton Volvo Amazon
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Linda Forbes did the honours with the start flag, with first out the
blocks Helen Kirkness
and Fraser Watt in their 1976 MGB/GT. Anne Head in her 2000 BMW3 with Rogan
MacKay followed with Chris and Mary Paton, who live just round the corner, in their
familiar red 1960 Mk1 Mini. Another regular crew, Stuart and daughter Jenifer Cobb in
their 2004 Toyota MR2, this time with Jenifer taking the wheel. Always good to see
Peter Holmes in his 1970 Volvo Amazon, this time with Cliff Clifton reading the
roadbook.
Rae / Kennedy Lotus 7
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Pollock Porsche 911
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Mitchell / Crombie BMW M5
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Grant Lotus Elan Sprint
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Houghton Alfa Romeo GT1600
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Petrie Bond Equipe GT4
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From big heavy cars to probably the lightest, Tom Rae in his 1961 Lotus 7, with Justin
Kennedy joining him again. With no weather gear to speak of the crew rely on fling
helmets and jackets to provide some protection against any wind and rain. Ewan and
Bill Pollock arrived in a beautiful 2006 Porsche 911, with Murray Mitchell and Ken
Crombie following in their stunning 2012 BMW M5. How long the white colour would
remain so clean would be found out later. Jim and Linda Grant were a welcome addition
in their very original 1971 Lotus Elan Sprint in Gold Leaf livery. These cars are becoming
very rare and visitors to the Heritage Village made a bee line to catch a photo or two.
Marshall Peugeot 205 Rallye
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McLay Jaguar XJ
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Hemmingway / McIntyre MGB/GT
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Young / Hawkes Audi TT
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John and Lillah Houghton arrived in their 1975 Alfa Romeo GT1600, seen on a few
previous events. Quickly pulling up behind were George Petrie and Janet Jones in their
unmissable 1969 Bond Equipe GT4S. This car, based on the Triumph Herald and GT6
underpinnings has seen many hours of care and attention to keep this fine example in
great condition. Jock Millar and Linda Telford decided on the 2018 Suzuki Celerio,
leaving the MG Midget behind. George and Jean Shand also brought the Seat day car.
David and Marion Marshall set off in their well turned out 1989 Peugeot 205 Rallye, Bill
McLay was driving in style bringing his 2005 Jaguar XJ TDVi with Alan Mackie on the
maps and Bruce Reid riding shotgun. Good to see them all. Geoff Hemmingway and
Sam McIntyre in their 1974 MGB V8 had travelled over 200 miles from Yorkshire and
Teeside to join us. The pair have been regulars on our scottish outings, a change from
their usual north of England stamping grounds.
Steven and Keith Inch brought one of their Reliant Scimitars,
this one from 1976. A great looking car and a delight to see on the
event. Duncan Massie and Jenny McKay chose the 2012 VW Cabriolet,
hoping for sunshine later on. The Campbells are coming, all the way
from Whitebridge near Inverness. Don and Mag Campbells 1978
Bristol 412 always draws attention. Though it looks enormous Don tells
me it is quite narrow and similar length to the Jaguar E Type. At least
cyclists should not miss it on our single road sections.
Huffer Mercedes Convertible
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Dromgoole MGF
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Towards the end of the departing crews were Tom and Marianne Dromgoole
in their trusty 2001 MGF. This car ha been on many club events and
across to the continent many times.Jon and Fiona Huffer arrived after a
harrowing journey on the Edinburgh bypass and thick fog. Determied to
enjoy the event they dropped the hood on the 1994 Mercedes E220
Convertible. Great to see Reuben and hope Philips this time in their
latest Mazda MX5. A new set of 'boot's replaced the track day 'slicks'
making it more street legal and able to handle wet and slippy roads.
Colin and Joanne Jamieson from Largs also chose a 2007 Mazda MX5 as
their steed for the day.
Bringing up the tail were Tom Niven and Karen Wilson in the 2005 MGF
looking very shiny and top down ready for anything. Ralph Forbes and
Willie McLeod followed in Ralph's MG day car, swapping from his
Posche 911. Finally we waved off Brian and Brenda Collins in
their 2016 Honda CRV. Flag starter Linda Forbes would leave in her BMW3
with Janice Lowe, along with Jim and Rona Paterson in my Mazda MX5,
after grabbing a coffee and tidying the site.
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Bringing
up the tail were Tom Niven and Karen Wilson in the 2005 MGF looking
very shiny and top down ready for anything.
Ralph Forbes and Willie
McLeod followed in Ralph's MG day car, swapping from his Posche 911.
Finally we waved off Brian and Brenda Collins in their 2016 Honda CRV.
Flag starter Linda Forbes would leave in her BMW3 with Janice Lowe,
along with Jim and Rona Paterson in my Mazda MX5, after grabbing a
coffee and tidying the site. |
The mist burned back quickly allowing the sunshine and blue skies to
warm the air and enable all the soft top crews to lower their tops and
enjoy the late summer sun.
ROUTE
Lanark to Drumlanrig
Our route headed out of New Lanark across Hyndford Bridge to the A70,
heading south west. A quick detour alongside Douglas Water, which
feeds into the River Clyde , before heading east on our way to
Roberton, where we crossed the River Clyde, where we picked up
the old Roman road toward Crawford, meeting Camps Road. A Roman fort
with a garrison of perhaps 300 existed between 80 AD and 170 AD. Around
1175 Crawford Castle was built on the site with James V and Mary of
Guise (mother of Mary Queen of Scots) visiting in the 16th Century.
Crawford was a major coaching town on the England Scotland stagecoach
route until the railway, and eventually the motorway bypassed the
town.
Through the Dalveen Pass we reached Durisdeer, crossing the Ford near
the village. Fortunately the recent lack of rain had lowered the
swelled river crossing when we recce'd the route. The nearby hills are
known as "God's Treasure House in Scotland". It has produced some of
the world's purest gold (22.8 carats) which was used in the manufacture
of the Scottish Crown Jewels - dating from the 15th and 16th
centuries.
Our rural route to Thornhill was cautioned with potholes, mud due
partly to heavy harvesting agricultural traffic.
Toward Drumlanrig we passed near the ruin of 11th century
Morton Castle part of a chain of castles along the strategically
important Nith Valley, which runs from the Solway Firth north to the
Clyde Valley.
Drumlanrig to Larkhall
After light refreshments at the rather sparse
Drumlanrig castle facility we headed north up the main drive taking the
joint cycle route through Queensbury estate through the Rig
Plantation. Heading north we reach the River Nith at the foot of
the Mennock Pass before skirting Sanquhar.
The wool trade contributed a major portion of the economy. A carpet
factory, along the Crawick Water during the 1830s, exported to foreign
countries including Chile South America. The town boasts the oldest
post office in the world, first opening in 1712 and has been in
continuous operation since. We crossed the A76 and River Nith
along the foothills to Mansfield and Pathead, a centre of coal mining
in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Back over the Nith skirting Cumnock, Dumfries House, Auchinleck to
Sorn. Sorn Castle The earliest part of the castle was built as a keep
between 1380 and 1409. Extended several times since it is a popular
wedding and sporting venue. North to Galston we head into the hills
passing Loudon Castle heading east toward Strathaven. Many twisting
roads through his ‘animated ‘ landscape. A final twist to
Kirkmuirhill to reach our finish at
Larkhall
Finish High Tea at Radstone hotel Larkhall
Date for your diary - of our Christmas High Tea on
Sunday 1st December Royal George Hotel Perth
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Published 12 September
2024
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