Red Hackle - 15 August 2021
Story Jim Paterson. Pictures Jim Paterson & Jan Adam Starters double queue as Niven/Wilson crew lead the way in MGF
A dry start beckoned well for the 40 starters to the first post Covid club event of 2021.
 Each
starter was piped away by our two pipers Lawrence and Alan, putting a
spring into all our steps. Soon the clouds cleared to provide a
sunfilled 140 mile drive across many little known roads across the
counties of Perth and Kinross, and Angus.
Outstanding views and
tight traffic clear roads abounded as we could see the River Tay to the
south and the Grampian mountains to the north.
 With a lunch stop
to catch up with fellow classic car crews and even a stopover for an
ice cream, before crossing a ford on the homeward leg proved a real
winner.
Starting and finishing at the Black Watch museum at Balhousie Castle in Perth proved yet again a great venue for this event.
Leading
us away was Tom Niven and Karen Wilson in the 2005 MGF. Tom had fitted
new brakes since the last outing so this would be a real test for the
car and crew.
 The route had a late change to get us out
of Perth, due to ongoing roadworks at Bridged Bridge across the
Tay. This turned out to enable a quick getaway toward Kinfauns where we
headed up into the Sidlaw Hills experiencing outstanding views of
the River Tay as it swept from Perth to Dundee. Careful passing
Kilspindie Kirk with parishioners making their way home down the hill
after Sunday service.Soon we were looking north with views to the
Grampian mountains towering through the mist, heralding the Scottish
highlands.
Over narrow twisting
roads we pressed on north east to Kirriemuir, birthplace of JM Barrie,
creator of Peter Pan. A quick refuel for those low on petrol, before
turning north to Cortachy and Glen Prosen to see the
Scott Memorial. Erected in 2012 it commemorates Captain Robert
Falcon Scott (Scott of the Antarctic) and his chief scientist, surgeon
and artist Edward Wilson; who both died on the ill-fated south polar
expedition. Wilson was based for some years at Glen Prosen and
regularly visited here by Scott; training and planning for the
expedition were carried out here.
We had been warned to lookout
for young partidge and pheasant running over the roads in Glen Prosen.
They are fed and grown for the later shooting season on the estate
moors. Lunch stop at Peel Farm close to the River Isla.
| Water Splash at the ford | 
Wilkie 2CV Dolly | 
Howie '54 MGTF 'Marj' takes a bath | 
Sheridan MGB Roadster | 
Donachie TR7V8 | 
Ferguson Triumph Dolomite Sprint | 
McGibbon Lancia Fulvia Coupe | 
Taylor Saab V4 | 
Roger & Smith Mercedes | 
Begg Ford Racing Puma | 
Pollock Mazda MX5 | 
Massie Wolsley 1.5 | 
McGarrie Toyota MR2 |
Refreshed
we headed north west alongside the river to Brewlands Bridge crossing
the river turning back south to Bridge of Craigisla, and west through
Blairgowrie, passing the famous Meikleour Beech Hedge, the longest
hedge in Britain and the highest of its kind in the world. Planted in
1745 and is one third of a mile long (530 m) and 100 ft (30 m) high. It
is thought the men who planted it were called to fight in the Jacobite
Rebellion and none of them returned alive. In tribute the trees were
allowed to grow and the hedge acts as a living landmark to them.
We
drove under the A9 Inverness Perth road heading west to Little Glenshee
where we treated to a splash, crossing a Ford over a burn feeding into
the River Tay. Onward to Chapelhill,
turning off to cross the  River almond at Millhaugh. The iron
bridge is made from girders recovered from the Tay Rail Bridge Disaster
in December 1879. We drove carefully over, not wishing a repeat
collapse!. The previous bridge is in the background
Back to Balhousie Castle in Perth for our high tea
and banter. The first classic outing for the club since the Covid
pandemic had been a great success, under a sunlit sky, crossing
magnificent roads in Perth and Kinross and Angus. A big thanks to
organisers Ron and Jan Adam, George and Jean Shand, assisted by Duncan
Massie for putting together this superb tour.
The Red
Hackle will return to its May date in 2022, Sunday May 8 to be precise.
Get the date in your diary now. New route, new places, same fun. See
you then if not before.
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