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Three Lochs Classic – 17 August. 2025 story & photos Jim Paterson
Under blue skies and blistering hot sunshine, the 2025 Three Lochs
Classic attracted over 70 entries with cars representing over a century
of motoring history, to the
Stansons Landscaping, RSAC Motorsport Three Lochs Veteran, Vintage & Classic Run, on Sunday 17 August 2025.
This year the RSAC welcomed their new sponsor, Ruari Gillespie of Stansons Landscaping, who has agreed to support the event for three years 2025-27.
the 'more modern' classics were lined up on the freshly mowed lawns
In each of these years, the event will have a charity partner, beginning this year with the Race Against Dementia charity which was founded by Sir Jackie Stewart.
The event was again hosted by the Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club.
Once again the ever popular long and short route options were offered. The short being a less arduous route for the older cars and any others who may have preferred it.
My role was to don my marshal vest and assist with parking the
arriving cars and later as a Concours
d'Elegance judge along with Gordon Hood and Andrew Pemberton, chair of
RSAC. Sunscreen and hats were the order of the day, especially if
like me the hair on top of my head is disappearing!.
Clerk of Course Jonathan Lord flagged off the starters, with help form several flag bearers.
1912 Alldays and Onions (oldest entry)
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Jonathan delivers drivers briefing
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Age before beauty the saying goes as Rachel Dover in her 1912 Alldays
and Onions led the field with Michael Jacobs reading the route. The
Alldays still looks great, so when it comes to vintage cars age and
beauty can go together. The crew collected the Class 1: Veteran
Class (before 1919) Ross Finlay Trophy at the finish. Being the
only car in the class helped, needing to finish to win. Even the short
route is a challenge when you are 113 years old.
Next away was Bill and Graeme McCreath in their 1927 Alvis 12/50. They
would collect The Albion Cup (First overall in the Concours d'Elegance)
at the finish.
The first of the Aston Martin Internationals was Roger Martin and
Wallis Weir in a 1930 example in blue. Their drive would secure the
Class 2: Vintage Class (1919-1930) trophy. Jim and Sheila
Campbell followed in their 1932 Aston Martin New International, The
‘New’ International was something of an interim model and
only about 12 were built when it was effectively replaced by the Le
Mans later in the same year. The radiator shell had a slight but
definite V shape which helps to identify the cars Jim's example is
beautifully restored. A younger 1936 'Speed Model' Aston Martin with
Simon and Tom Graham at the controls headed off in pursuit.
Kelly 1936 Jaguar SS100
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Same year but change of marque to a 1936 Jaguar SS100 with Nigel
Kelly at the wheel with Peter Christie on the roadbook. The crew
would collect The Provost’s Trophy and the Mitchells Trophy
(Second overall in the Concours d'Elegance) for their efforts.
Samson 1938 Aston
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Black 1951 VW Beetle LHD
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Back to the Aston Martin again with Alec and Elise Samson in a 19/58
model dating from 1938, collecting the Class 3: Post Vintage Class
(1931-1940) trophy. Alexander and Linda Black brought a very
original 1951 left hand drive VW Beetle, complete with split rear
screen, making it pretty rare in the UK. It did win Class 4: Classic Class 1 (1941-1955) trophy.
Gillespie 2006 BMW
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Murray 2006 Audi Quattro
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Smith 1986 Manta
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Ruari Gillespie and Carolyn May slipped in with their modern classic
2006 BMW, followed by Iain and Lewis Murray in a 2006 Audi Quattro, a
car made famous in the Ashes to Ashes TV series with Phil Glenister and
Keeley Hawes, though theirs was red! Opel Mantas are becoming a scarce
breed, so it was good to see the very shiny black 1986 GTE variant with
Robert Smith at the wheel. He collected the Class 8: Open Class 'The
Largs Trophy ' for his efforts. |
Richard Larter knows a thing or two about the Swallow Doretti, bringing
his 1954 example to the event. Driving in style was Gordon and Isobel
Glen in their 1955 Rolls Royce Silver Dawn, seen many times at this and
other classic events across the UK. Bill and Val Pollock rolled up in
their outstanding 1957 Triumph TR3, a familiar sight on many classic
car rallies across the country.
Larter 1954 Doretti
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Glen 1955 Rolls Royce Silver Dawn
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The return of Jaguar in the shape
of the 1960 XK150 model, crewed by Joe and Wilma McColl,
collecting the Best Jaguar 'The McMillan Trophy' to add to their
prizeware cabinet.
McColl Jaguar XK150
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Pollock 1957 Triumph TR3
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Another familiar crew, Chris and Mary Paton arrived in their superb
1960 Morris Mini, lightly breathed on, sporting twin 40 DCOE Weber
carbs which make it move quite swiftly if required. From the same
stable but not so sporty a 1964 Morris Mini with Kris Docherty and
Jennifer Burns, followed by a 1965 Mini Cooper S of Donald Laing and
Bob Sharp. They would collect the Class 5: Classic Class 2 (1956-1965)
prize.
Paton 1960 Mini
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Docherty 1964 Mini
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Laing 1965 Cooper S
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Triumph were also back on the start line, with David Lightfoot in his
1965 TR4A well presented model. Was good to see Craig McGibbon
back in the saddle, reading the route for Owen Ferry in their 1968
Volvo 142S. Alexander and Linda Adams arrived in that famous Morris 1800
affectionately known as the 'land crab'. Their 1970 model was
made up as a replica of the London Sydney Rally.
Unfortunately the car
got stuck in gear part way round the route, and if that was not bad
enough the steering wheel came off the spindle! the pair limped back to
Rhu and the kind AA man trailered them home. Hopefully after some TLC
we shall see them again next year.
Fleming 1970 MG Midget 1970
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Leckie 1970 Morris Minor
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Rutherford 1970 Morris Traveller
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Donaldson 1972 JBA Falcon Plus 2
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Gracie 1972 Ford Escort
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Tony Fleming and Ruairidh Fleming pulled up in their 1970 MG Midget,
with the top down and folded away, a sight so rare I can't believe my
eyes! Flora Leckie brought her trusty white 1970 Morris Minor,
straight off the 'Call the Midwife' set, looking just the part. Alex
Rutherford followed in his 1970 Morris Minor traveller also in white,
chased by Clive Brown and John Donaldson in a 1972 JBA Falcon Plus 2.
Ford Escorts lined up, first John & Kaleb Roger followed by
William and Gordon Gracie in a gold Mk1 both in 1972 models.
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Triplet MGB's David Waltham and Ross Ward leading off in 1973 orange
Roadster, followed by Robbie and Stuart Butler in a 1973 MGB/GT, with
Ian and Michelle Caldwell bringing up the rear in a blue 1973 Roadster.
Ward 1973 MGB Roadster
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Butler 1973 MGB/GT
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Caldwell 1973 MGB Roadster
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Russell 1975 Rover P6 3500S
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Not many Rover P6 3500's but Ian Roger and Joyce Russell enjoyed their 1975 model.
Several BMW's took part, with this 1987 convertible driven by Sandy
Nicolson enjoying the good weather. Linsey Giles was behind the wheel
of the 1995 Aston Martin DB7, with Dan Wright reading the route. Back
to Jag with Colin Carroll and Diane Glazier in a 1995 XJS convertible,
top down of course.
Nicolson 1987 BMW
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Giles 1995 Aston Martin DB7
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In sublime luxury it has to be a Rolls Royce, two in a row, Annette Macmillan and Ian Armstrong in a 1991
Silver Spirit, followed by a 1995
Silver Spur with Robert Daniel at the wheel. Gerry Begley
brought an amazing 2018 Ferrari, while another sun seeker
top down, Garry and Jayne Freeburn in their pristine blue 1997 Ford
Escort MK3 convertible. |
Carroll 1995 Jaguar XJS
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Macmillan 1991 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit
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Daniel 1996 Rolls Royce Silver Spur
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Begley 2018 Ferrari
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Freeburn 1997 Ford Escort convertible
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John and Marilyn McMeeking led the Japanese made sports cars with their 1998
Toyota MR2 fixed head coupé, followed by Mazda
MX5's, always a favourite led by Fraser Mack and Scott
Tait in their 1999 gold variant, hotly pursued by Michael
Hughes in a green1999 model.
McMeeking 1998 MR2
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Mack 1999 Mazda MX5
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Hughes 1999 Mazda MX5 |
McWalters 2000 Mini
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Thomson Peugeot 306GTi
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Ross 2001 Jaguar XKR
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Whitehead Jaguar XK8
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A 2000 Mini slipped in next with Stuart
and Jack McWalters in command. Brian Reid and Allan Thomson took off in
a 1999 Peugeot 306GTi. Bill & Ethel Ross followed in their 2001
Jaguar XKR top down of course, as were Ian and Alison Whitehead in an
XK8 4.2S top down. |
Back to MX5, this time Paul and Jean Hammond in their 2005 model,
pursued by Reuben and Hope Phillips in their latest 2005 MX5
acquisition. Quick change to 2005 VW Passat V64Motion, crewed by John
Wright and Eddie Kilgour. All hands waving as Lyn Stewart drove Marcus Higgins and crew in the BMW 325CI convertible.
Hammond 2005 MX5
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Phillips 2005 MX5
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Wright 2005 VW Passat
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Stewart 2005 BMW 325Ci
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McDonald 2016 Skoda
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Young 2016 Audi TT
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Rab and Sheila McDonald reliving their MSA scrutineering days, bringing
their 2016 Skoda Superb.
Pulling up the rear of the pack Charlie Young
and Eddie Hawke in the familiar red 2016 Audi TT, followed by the
2008 Mercedes SLK of Wilma and Roy Johnston. top folded down of course.
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Johnston 2008 Mercedes SLK
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Award Presentation
L to R Ian Higgins secretary of the event, Jonathan Lord CofC, Ruari Gillespie
After a buffet meal at the end of the event we stepped outside into the sunshine where Jonathan
Lord welcomed the new sponsor, Ruari Gillespie of Stansons Landscaping,
who presented the prizes for the event. See the full list Award List
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Published 22 August
2025
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