MZ Scottish Rally 2010

30th April - 2nd May 2009

Gairloch Caravan Park, Mihol Road, Gairloch, Wester Ross  IV21 2BX

The May Day bank-holiday weekend saw us travel once more to the land of the hairy highlander for the MZ Scottish Rally. Our destination being the campsite at Gairloch in Wester Ross. This was to be our third such visit in as many years but, thankfully, this time we were graced with better weather than on previous occasions. Okay, it was still cold and it did rain a bit, but after recent years it was positively tropical in comparison.

A trip to that part of the country is a long way to travel for most folk, so it was pleasing to see a total of 35 people make the effort and book in over the course of the weekend. Many camped, but even more took advantage of local hotel and B&B accommodation, possibly in response to the previous years' somewhat 'unsettled' weather.

A goodly crew arrived on the Friday, but most turned up on Saturday. In the afternoon, despite the high cost of petrol locally, many folk deserted the campsite for a run round the surrounding countryside, taking in the quite excellent and mercifully quiet roads thereabouts. Some deserted the campsite altogether when they found out that there was now a bunkhouse on site and they needn't camp at all. I would say, "Wimps", at this point except I was one of those booked into a hotel and I'd sound like a hypocrite. It's best not to throw too many stones while standing in a house made of glass.

Saturday night saw us stick to the usual format on the basis that "if it ain't broke don't fix it". The formalities, such as they are, took place in the bar, commencing with the presentation of the awards. The awards themselves comprised a plaque to which a spanner had been attached - the Silver Spanner Awards (see picture above).

There were only seven MZs in attendance at the rally, five two-strokes and two four-strokes, with most seeming to have decided that the benefits to be had from larger capacity machines outweighed the need to attend our little MZ rally on an actual MZ. A trend of late, and one of which I am as guilty as the next person. Perhaps we should become a 'Friends of MZ' motorcycle club like they have elsewhere, rather than a 'riders club'?

Anyway, with little to choose between the MZs, the furthest travelled in each category was arbitrarily selected to receive an award. These were John S. (Saxon Tour 301) from London and Brian T. (Skorpion) from Yorkshire. A clear winner for the overall furthest travelled went to Mark R. who had covered 730 miles on his Ducati. Best non-MZ went to Stuart W., surely that hard working Yamaha FJ1200 deserved something. There was nothing deserving of Rat Bike or Tale of Woe this year, so no awards in these categories. However, John and Carole McN. were celebrating their wedding anniversary, so fully deserved an award for longevity (does 29 years of marriage count as a tale of woe?).

Back Row: Mark, John & Brian

Centre Right: Carole & John

Front Row: Yours Truly & Stuart 

Much to my surprise, I too was presented with an award in recognition of my past and present efforts on behalf of the club and the Section. This one had the largest spanner attached to it, seemingly confirming the high esteem in which I am held. I thank you nonetheless.

And so to the rest of the evening - a raffle, much eating and drinking, and catching up with old friends and making a few new ones. All staples of a motorcycle rally, really.

I would point out that no one need go hungry or thirsty this far north. The food on offer locally was excellent and plentiful. However, as is now the norm, the hotel once again ran out of beer. I am reliably informed that this was because they didn't have enough laid on, rather than that we tend to consume more than is good for us. However, I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions on the likelier reason.

Once again, most people seemed to enjoy the weekend, so we hope to repeat the formula again next year. The venue, however, while very popular with some, was less so for others. The search continues for that illusive "ideal location". Any suggestions will be gratefully received.

I'd like to thank all the people who turned up, as well as those running the campsite and the Millcroft Hotel for their warm welcome and for putting up with our nonsense again for another year. If you have never been to a Scottish Rally, shame on you. Next year you really should make the effort and see what all the fuss is about.