27th to 30th April

Back to the Highlands this year when the event was based once more at the Grant Arms Hotel in Grantown-on-Spey.

Friday Morning

The above Entrants converged at the Antartex Village, where the complete Route Book for the three days was issued.  There were 40 drivers and passengers taking part on the run but a few, from the north and east, agreed to join us after the first section to Bruar. As usual there was no timing of sections, and as we would have over 160 miles to drive until we got up to the Grant Arms, entrants were encouraged to start between 10 and 10.30 am.  There were two Sections on this route, the first taking us to the House of Bruar just north of Blair Atholl.

Some of the Antartex Starters

This first section used largely minor roads via Aberfoyle, the Duke’s Pass, Bris o’Turk, Killin, Kenmore Aberfeldy, through Pitlochry and Blair Atholl to the House of Bruar, around 100 miles in all.  Entrants were advised where refreshments were available along this route.

The second section took us up the A9 for 40 miles before we turned right on to the B9102 and on to Grantown-on-Spey, hence to the Grant Arms.

Friday Arrival Evening

Some pics of the arrival at the Grant Arms Hotel and the Reception

After the reception, which livened everyone no end, we proceeded to dinner.

Friday Dinner

Some of the pics of the Friday Evening Dinner

Friday Post Dinner

Following dinner, we gathered at the large down-stairs room which the Bird Watching Fraternity often used. President Jimmy took the opportuniy to entertain us with some of his stories.

Some of the pics of Friday’s Post-Dinner Activities

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Saturday Morning & Afternoon

We started up after breakfast and headed North via the B9138 which was a lovely run along side the river Spey passing several large establishments which the well-heeled fishermen would have used, then up the A95 snd the A941 to Elgin via Rothes.  Memory of Elgin was of a pleasant but busy town with an abundance of roundabouts and traffic lights.  Eventually we arrived at our first destination, the Moray Motor Museum around 11am.  This was a very interesting place with “finished” cars, motorbikes, memorabilia eyc on the first floor.  We were allowed “downstairs” to the workshop where several vehicles were in the process of bring restored. One noticeable feature, apart from the numerous road and speed event cars, was the number of Jaguar cars present of varying age.

Some of the pics of The Moray Motor Museum

Following the visit to the Motor Museum we were left to our own devices – some had lunch at the adjacent Decorama establishmemt – others proceed down to Logie Steading for lunch.  This too was an interesting place – obviously a farm steading in earlier life which now contained several retail outlets as well as a restaurant.

Some of the pics of  the Logie Steading

Having left Logie Steading it was a relatively short and pleasant drive down the A939, back to the Grant Arms Hotel.

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Saturday Evening

This perhaps slightly more subdued than Friday evening, but it seemed everyone had had a very pleaant evening’

Some of the pics of Saturday’s Post-Dinner Activities

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Sunday’s Excursions

Sunday’s trip was firstly, to take us on the Strathspey Steam Railway.  We had done this trip in a previous Spring Runs but this time it was to be in reverse – from Aviemore and Back..  Fofrtunately the weather was kind and we were able to enjoy the Speyside scenery.

Some of the pics of The Speyside Steam Railway

After we arrived back at Aviemore Station it was only a 8 mile run down to the next event – the Highland Wildlife Park. This again, was something we had done in an earlier Spring Run. This time however we had the added attraction of seeing Angus, the first polar bear to have been born in captivity in the Wlflife Park. We were not to be disappointed – Angus lived up to his attraction -as you would from a playful youngster.  From the number of sightseers there

Some of the pics of the Wildlife Park

After the Wildlife Park, we had a 26 mile run back to the Hotel via quiet side roads and through several villages   before we joined the A95 and on to Grantown-on-Spey.

For various reasons, there were fewer members present for the Sunday evening dinner and entertainments.

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Monday Morning

As you would expect,our departure for home was tinged with a little sadness.  This had been as usual up to Bob Baillie’s standard – the route, the various venues, the hotel and of course the entertainment(s).   Next year’s event was mentioned several times, with many suggestions as to where it would be. This gave Bob a lot to think about.

Some of the pics of our Departure

 

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