Perthshire Classic Car Tour 2024

History of the Perthshire Classic Car Tour

In 2024, for the third year running, the Rotary Club of Perth has organised the Perthshire Classic Car Tour raising around £80,000 for the nominated charities below. Prior to this the tour was a popular annual event for Blairgowrie Rotary Club.

2022: Prostate Scotland; My Name’5 Doddie

2023: Prostate Scotland; Carers Trust Scotland

2024: MS Society Scotland;  Beat, the Eating Disorder Charity

The tour of 80-100 cars takes place on “Drive It Day” in April and has taken routes around Highland Perthshire showcasing the spectacular scenery to participants, many of whom come from as far away as Dubai. 

Participants donate to enter and major sponsors support the tour.  Over the years these have been The Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, Peter Vardy Ltd, John Clark Motor Group, and The Intelligent Land Investment Group. 

Also making a difference are the many local business advertisers in the Drivers’ Handbook.  This quality publication gives the tulip map directions and sponsor and charity profiles, and also interesting renovation stories of some of the most remarkable cars participating in the event. 

2024 Perthshire Classic Car Tour – Sunday 21^st April, 2024

It was a hugely successful day out starting at McDiarmid Park in Perth, breaking for lunch at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel in Ballachulish and finishing at the Crieff Hydro Hotel.  It’s there where an informal end of tour dinner and awards ceremony provided an opportunity to have relaxed conversation, good food, entertaining speeches and awards surrounded by a selection of classic cars owned by Stephen Leckie, CEO of Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels.  This year the award winners were:

·        Furthest Travelled to Participate in the Tour:  Paul Bawor, King’s Lynn (2002 Porsche Boxster 986S)

·        Oldest Car to Complete the Tour:  Anthony Alston, Muthill (1928 Alvis TB 14.75 3.4 Coupe)

·        Concourse d’Elegance (best presented car): Andre Sarafilovic  (1981 Rolls Royce Corniche FHC)

Spirit of the Event awards:

·        David Glen, Alexandria.  Dressed in keeping with the age of the car (Hippy era) 1968 Volvo 122S

·        Mark Crozier, Auto Services Perth for The Third Year as Tail End Charlie

·        Mike and Chloe Grant, Island Leisure and Chloe Grant Racing (sponsorship)

·        Stephen Leckie, CEO of Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels (sponsorship)

Recognition was given to John Clark Motor Group for their sponsorship of the event.

Whilst the three site event is organised by a small team from the Rotary Club of Perth all members of the Club are involved in making it the success that it is by raffle and auction donations, communication tasks and by on the day support of the event at various locations.  In addition Crieff Rotary Club members have, each year, provided good support at Crieff Hydro Hotel for the arrival of the tour cars.

The latest website www.perthrotary.co.uk shows the 2024 event’s information and images from this year’s tour.

Participant quotes:

Richard Spalding of Edinburgh and Co-driver Ewan Ritchie said:

“It was a brilliant event.  This was the first time I had entered this tour and it was great to see such a wide variety of cars.  At the start you could see all the cars.  On the road the drive went perfectly. The route was fantastic, though some of the best scenery in Scotland”

Overall they both agreed

“It was a fantastic fun event where we met such a nice bunch of people”.

Alistair Hepburn of Crieff said:

 “It was my first time on the tour and I was particularly impressed with its organisation and the large number of enthusiastic, helpful marshals of the Perth Rotary Club at the start, lunch venue and at Crieff Hydro.  Also, the presence of so many knowledgeable car enthusiasts all around on the route gave a real sense of reassurance about the drive.   Of course the weather changing from rain to beautiful sunshine for the return run made the scenery particularly stunning and beautiful.

The hospitality at both the Isles of Glencoe Hotel and Crieff Hydro with dinner set amongst classic cars went very smoothly and was most enjoyable. 

Overall the tour was very well done and in aid of great charities.  I left feeling very positive about the whole day.”