Central Area
The Central SRE Area comprises the Stirling and neighbouring counties of Dunbartonshire, Argyll and the southwest fringe of Perthshire. The membership is an essentially rural contingent based around Stirling with a scattering of representatives/enthusiasts throughout the northern Argyll and west Dunbartonshire areas. Our members cars cover a wide range of the Riley Marque, with Pre and post-war marques are amply represented with several Monacos, a 12/4 Merlin, Lynx, Imp, a 12/4 Special and an interesting collection of postwar 1½ and 2½ cars.
Pre War only Car Tour 2025
Pre War only Car Tour 27th August 2024.
Through Stirling and Perthshire
This tour was organised under the auspices of SC&SCC by Roger Martin and some friends in an attempt to get more pre war cars back on the road. Having achieved an entry of some 23 cars and 1 motorbike (an Indian) from all parts of Scotland for this first time event, although there were a few last minute cancellations.
However what a selection entered : 1929 Riley Brooklands Replica , 1933 Riley 9 Lynx tourer, 1935 Riley 12/4 Special ,1930 Alvis Silver Eagle, 1934 Alvis Speed 20, a 1927 &1928 plus a 1929 Alvis 12/50, 1930 Aston Martin International, 1930 Austin 7 Ulster, 1934 Austin 10/4, 1936 Austin 12/4 New Ascot, 1935 Hotchkiss, 1932 Lagonda 3 litre Carlton, 2-1938 MG TA, 1927 Rover 9/20, 1929 Rolls Royce 20/25, 1939 Rover 14 Tickford, 1921 Vauxhall 30/98.
The tour started at Dobbies Garden Centre in Stirling.
The route took cars via Doune, Dunblane and Braco over the hills to Cultybraggan Camp, by Comrie. There was a brief talk on the history of this prisoner of war camp, followed by some time to peruse the museum, before a very good and substantial ‘home made’ lunch of soup, sandwiches, cakes and coffee/tea was served in one of the huts.
After lunch folk were standing around studying the cars again in the sunshine before they set off on the afternoon route.
The route ran along the South Earn road to Crieff, over the Kinkell Bridge to skirt Auchterarder, passing Gleneagles then (unfortunately) down the A9 for 3 miles to turn onto the Sheriffmuir road, which had some wonderful views over the Strathallan valley to the hills in the North.
The finish was at the Birds and Bees by Stirling where the awards were presented
Altogether a most enjoyable day in reasonable weather – apart from a smir of rain at the start, it was dry for the rest of the day. From the Riley point of view it was good to see Michael Sockalingam participate with teenage daughter Eva, navigating for dad in the Lynx and Ian Muir zooming ahead in the Brooklands Replica!
Plans are already afoot to hold the rally next year, probably in early July so watch this space for further details.
Photos at start D Ashworth, rest R Martin.
Bill McCreath
