Grand Tour of the Scottish Coast NC500. Part 1

By Anthony Osborne

15th to 25th September 2022

The Fat Controller, Gar Cole, was the leader of the pack whose dream was to drive the NC500 round the North Coast of Scotland. What better way to do it, he thought, than to take classic cars and drive round with good mates. Over 12 months ago he started to float the idea and was amazed when 18 cars were signed up for the tour. He booked hotels and generally got on with the arrangements.
Sadly 12 of the cars had to pull out for one reason or another and just 6 cars set out to travel North of the border.
Gar had rearranged all the hotels for each of the 9 nights and I, using the information passed to me by Gar and John Ticehurst who had booked the ferry to Skye, had prepared a route book which included all the required information for out time away.
Gar thought it appropriate to sponsor Children with Cancer UK and we were delighted to raise the sum of £357 for them on our tour.

Also, because we are all concerned about the environment, I arranged for all our carbon emissions between Gretna Green and the Falkirk Wheel to be offset by Tree-V who were introduced to me at the 2021 NEC Classic Car Show by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs. We estimated that we would emit 2,039kg CO2 and paid £66.26 between us to Tree-V who are arranging the planting of trees, to absorb the carbon emitted, with Forest Carbon. One such location is Tom’s Wood in North Yorkshire

Thursday 15th Final Preparation and Excitement.

​Gar is very relieved when Betty, his trans Ford Mondeo, actually passed its MOT with only two advisories after some extensive surgery and with less than 24 hours to go to departure!.

Gar’s trans Mondeo formerly known as Barry

John Ticehurst and Kevin Terry set off in John’s red MGB GT, ‘Daphne’, from Chelmsford to head north breaking their journey on the way overnight. Brian Allison also set off in his light blue XJ6 from County Carlow in Eire on his journey northwards.
The only reported issue on the way to Gretna Green was Daphne having a puncture. This can be a bit of a problem as all the luggage in the boot has to come out to get to the jack and spare wheel! At least with knock on wire wheels it is simple enough to get the wheel off.

It was only going flat at the bottom so they should have just turned it over!

Friday 16th to The Gables Hotel, Gretna Green.

​Garry Brooks (Gus) left home in South Yorkshire in his J C Midge, ‘Henry’ but as there isn’t room for a toothbrush in Henry he was towing a trailer with all sorts in it, including his toothbrush! Pat and Anthony Osborne set off from Worcestershire in Pat’s black MGB GT, ‘Bill’, Ian and Sarah Woodward departed from Leicestershire in Ian’s white Granada Estate and Gar Cole set off from the outskirts of Birmingham in his very early trans Ford Mondeo, formerly known as ‘Barry’ but now answering to the name ‘Betty’, all heading northwards. Donnington Services was the rendezvous location for the ‘Leader of the pack‘ Cole, the Woodwards and the Osbornes who then headed across country to the M6. It would appear that everyone, other than John and Kevin, had an uneventful journey meeting up at the Gables Hotel in Gretna Green.

​​In the car park the two MGB GTs had parked either side of a Triumph TR6, the owner of that feeling a little disappointed that he was so outnumbered!

The TR6 owner was upset that the MGs had his car surrounded.

​Outside the Hotel there were other interesting cars including a Porsche and a Bristol 412.

The hotel was comfortable and food was good. We were all settled into a private dining room for dinner after a drink in the bar. I think everyone slept well that night after the long drives to Gretna Green.
We were advised, should we have a problem, that Gus had all sorts of emergency equipment in Henry’s trailer including a pair of ramps, E5 petrol, and tools. Gar was also prepared with a pop-up tent and portaloo! I don’t think that Gar’s emergency equipment was used as there were generally plenty of trees around when they were needed!

Gar had catered for all eventualities!

​Our holiday had begun at last.

You Tube video of day 1.

To be continued ...