Vintage rally spans more than century of motoring history

THE annual Caithness and Sutherland Vintage Vehicle Club’s rally took place on Sunday with a bumper crowd of over 1200 turning out to look over the well-preserved models from yesteryear when they converged at the showfield in John O’Groats.

The day passed without a hitch or a breakdown, with the convoy safely negotiating the route from Lybster via Wick and Keiss to Groats, where the vehicles arrived around noon.

The oldest vehicle on the day was a 1902 Panhard Levassor owned by Stuart Murray Threipland, of Dunbeath Castle. The most recent models were a 2004 Ferrari, owned by Charles Munro of Alness, winner of the best sports car, and a 2004 Lotus Elise, owned by D. Mathieson of Conon Bridge.

The overall trophy went to the leader of the agricultural entry, a 1948 Field Marshall, owned by Nicol Mackenzie of Halkirk. Many families turned out for the day, with youngsters enjoying face painting, a bouncy castle, a fire engine.

One of the other attractions on the day was provided by one of the club’s oldest and most active members. Don Mason, 92, a Second World War pilot, gave a slide show presentation telling people of his experiences flying different aircraft. Donations were given to the Help the Heroes charity.

The farthest travelled trophy went to Andy Twort from Lewis with his 1910 Hupmobile 20 Runabout which picked up a third place in the veteran car class. The day’s youngest competitor was three-year-old Ryan Manson from Thurso, who won a second prize for his 1970 toy pedal car.

THE annual Caithness and Sutherland Vintage Vehicle Club’s rally took place on Sunday with a bumper crowd of over 1200 turning out to look over the well-preserved models from yesteryear when they converged at the showfield in John O’Groats.

The day passed without a hitch or a breakdown, with the convoy safely negotiating the route from Lybster via Wick and Keiss to Groats, where the vehicles arrived around noon.

The oldest vehicle on the day was a 1902 Panhard Levassor owned by Stuart Murray Threipland, of Dunbeath Castle. The most recent models were a 2004 Ferrari, owned by Charles Munro of Alness, winner of the best sports car, and a 2004 Lotus Elise, owned by D. Mathieson of Conon Bridge.

The overall trophy went to the leader of the agricultural entry, a 1948 Field Marshall, owned by Nicol Mackenzie of Halkirk. Many families turned out for the day, with youngsters enjoying face painting, a bouncy castle, a fire engine.

One of the other attractions on the day was provided by one of the club’s oldest and most active members. Don Mason, 92, a Second World War pilot, gave a slide show presentation telling people of his experiences flying different aircraft. Donations were given to the Help the Heroes charity.

The farthest travelled trophy went to Andy Twort from Lewis with his 1910 Hupmobile 20 Runabout which picked up a third place in the veteran car class. The day’s youngest competitor was three-year-old Ryan Manson from Thurso, who won a second prize for his 1970 toy pedal car.

THE annual Caithness and Sutherland Vintage Vehicle Club’s rally took place on Sunday with a bumper crowd of over 1200 turning out to look over the well-preserved models from yesteryear when they converged at the showfield in John O’Groats.

The day passed without a hitch or a breakdown, with the convoy safely negotiating the route from Lybster via Wick and Keiss to Groats, where the vehicles arrived around noon.

The oldest vehicle on the day was a 1902 Panhard Levassor owned by Stuart Murray Threipland, of Dunbeath Castle. The most recent models were a 2004 Ferrari, owned by Charles Munro of Alness, winner of the best sports car, and a 2004 Lotus Elise, owned by D. Mathieson of Conon Bridge.

The overall trophy went to the leader of the agricultural entry, a 1948 Field Marshall, owned by Nicol Mackenzie of Halkirk. Many families turned out for the day, with youngsters enjoying face painting, a bouncy castle, a fire engine.

One of the other attractions on the day was provided by one of the club’s oldest and most active members. Don Mason, 92, a Second World War pilot, gave a slide show presentation telling people of his experiences flying different aircraft. Donations were given to the Help the Heroes charity.

The farthest travelled trophy went to Andy Twort from Lewis with his 1910 Hupmobile 20 Runabout which picked up a third place in the veteran car class. The day’s youngest competitor was three-year-old Ryan Manson from Thurso, who won a second prize for his 1970 toy pedal car.

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