THE FOURTH CLASSIC MALTS
SCOTTISH RELIABILITY TRIAL
16 to 22 September 2001
The dates have changed - for this year only - to September. But everything that has made the Classic Malts Scottish Reliability Trial such a popular event remains firmly in place: a week of gently competitive rallying on some of Britain’s finest roads, just made for classic cars. With plenty of driving tests and regularity sections throughout the 1,300 mile route, there’ll be lots of action. But the pace is calm enough to be within reach of beginners, while any age and type of car can do well: no section should prove too demanding. Our generous hosts, Classic Malts of Scotland, contribute to a lively social scene - with plenty of opportunities at the end of the day to enjoy their splendid hospitality and some superb Scotch whisky. With our change of date some entries are now available as a number of crews who registered for May have notified us they are unable to make September. Let us know soon if you’d like to give it a go.
Provisional Route Outline
as at 25 June 2001
Saturday 15 September
Documentation and scrutineering at Glenkinchie distillery including a buffet lunch, novices’ briefing and optional practice run.
In the evening we assemble for our pre-event welcome dinner.
Sunday 16 September: Tayside and Tummel
Starting from Edinburgh, a selection of tests and regularity sections lead into the Highlands. Fine loch and mountain scenery is the setting for our hill-climb test at Kenknock. We have a driving test at Blair Castle, then take tea at Dalwhinnie distillery and continue to our overnight halt at Aviemore.
Monday 17 September: Royal Deeside and Speyside
Day Two begins with driving tests at several distilleries, including Cragganmore: we are in Scotland’s main whisky producing region. Lunch is taken at Fyvie Castle before we cross Aberdeenshire to Royal Lochnagar Distillery at Balmoral. Then through the Cairngorms back to Aviemore for a second night, and a Speyside banquet.
Tuesday 18 September: The Road to the Isles
The Loch Ness Tiddler regularity section kicks the day off, as we head for the glorious coast of Wester Ross via Glen Ord Distillery. After lunch we cross the challenging Pass of the Cattle, then over to Skye and a final test at Talisker distillery. The evening is spent at Portree’s AROS Centre, where a meal, good company and entertainment await us.
Wednesday 19 September: Skye Rest Day
As in previous years, we have a rest day at Talisker full of entertaining activities – or you can just relax if you prefer. In the evening, there’s the famous Talisker ceilidh, or traditional Gaelic party, with buffet supper, and the chance to sample the odd dram of whisky before the coach takes you back to your hotel.
Thursday 20 September: The West Coast
Leaving Skye, we take the Armadale Ferry to Mallaig then wend our way down the west coast through stunning steep-sided mountain scenery. We cross from Lochaline to Mull, landing at Fishnish, and the day is completed with a regularity over the hills and around the lochs, finishing at picturesque Tobermory harbour.
Friday 21 September: Mull and Iona
After a long regularity around Mull’s west coast, everyone takes the passenger ferry to Iona, the island of the Celtic saints, for lunch and a relaxing visit. Then it’s back to the Maclean stronghold of Duart Castle. We return to the mainland in the evening, for a get-together at Oban distillery courtesy of Classic Malts of Scotland.
Saturday 22 September: Loch Awe, Loch Fyne and Loch Lomond
A scenic road past Loch Awe takes us to Inveraray Castle and a test on the famous hillclimb at Rest and be Thankful. Then more great tests and regularities as the rally heads eastwards to the finish. Our sponsors Classic Malts of Scotland promise an unforgettable finale as we await the final declaration of results.
Sunday 23 September
Massed gathering of cars, prizegiving and farewell lunch at Hopetoun House, Scotland’s finest stately home.
This year’s entry fee of £2,650 for a car with a crew of two people includes:
Eight nights’ hotel accommodation, with full Scottish breakfast; pre-event gala dinner; activities and entertainment on the rest day on Skye; the famous Talisker ceilidh, with buffet supper; two more ‘get together’ evening meals, at Aviemore and Portree; distillery visits and whisky tastings; one miniature per person of each ‘Malt of the Day’; full service prizegiving lunch in the Ballroom of Hopetoun House; apparel and other souvenir items; all on-event ferry crossings. Supplements apply for single room accommodation and for additional crew members.
To enquire about entry availability, click here
