Annual Show and Awards Day
Saturday 27th July 2024
NTS Drum Castle
Every year, normally on the first Sunday in August, the magnificent South Lawn at NTS Drum Castle plays host to our Annual Show and Awards day. This popular charity fund raising event attracts MG cars of all ages and features live music and many other attractions.
Our close friends in the Grampian Region Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club normally host their similar event at Drum Castle the Sunday before ours. In this way, we share the marquees seen in the picture above and assist each other with marshals.
Following a 2-year hiatus due to Covid, the event in 2022 featured a record breaking 71 MGs of all ages from across Scotland and despite some unfortunate date clashes, the event proved equally popular in 2023 which was the Centenary of MG Cars.
But how did our association with the National Trust at Drum Castle begin? Former Chairman Donald Brown takes up the story:
"Following our arrival in Aberdeen, we soon found that Drum Castle and its grounds became a regular feature of our weekend outings.
Being some six miles from our home, it was conveniently accessible and provided a wealth of facilities to cater for the needs of our young family. A safe play area, some gentle walks on level ground - even conveniently accessible toilets. All to be rounded off with a cup of coffee and juice in the café - supplemented, on good days, by an ice cream!
As the family grew up, walks became longer and interests in wild life and buildings developed - the long climb up the wooden stairs in the tower were a very challenging addition; but the view from the rooftop was a grand reward - the facilities on the estate continued to provide interest and excitement.
Looking back now, it’s interesting to see how our involvement with the estate developed as the family morphed into adult hood and went their own separate ways. As we matured and interests changed, so did our relationship with the Castle and with the National Trust.
Before long, our walks changed in their nature - less woodland walks, more garden paths. We discovered the gentle walk to the walled garden and enjoyed the tranquillity of the rose garden with its extensive display of rose varieties and, on sunny days, always had fun being the ‘gnomon’ of the sundial! We also had time to take advantage of the wide range of interesting topics and outings in the programme of ‘The Friends of Drum Castle’ and my Wife enjoyed a number of years volunteering as a guide in the Castle with the opportunity of meeting many of the people of various nationalities who were always interested in the stories behind the artefacts on display, and of the people and families associated with them.
Meanwhile my own interests had returned to classic cars and an involvement with MGs. As a result of which, on one pleasant Sunday afternoon while sitting on the lawn watching preparations for a marquee wedding being made, I realised that the lawn, set out with a number of gleaming classic cars, and the castle as the background would make a rather good picture. At the time I knew that the local MG Owners Club, of which I was a member, we’re looking for a location at which to hold their Annual Show and Awards day. A prompt phone call or two and the idea developed quickly. Our approach to the Trust was met with interest and, after a number of meetings and discussions, agreement was reached to go ahead with the plan the following first weekend of August - and so began the first of many years of successful relationship with NTS.
Our original concept was to hold a relaxed, family friendly, picnic in beautiful grounds with warm sunshine and the sounds of a live 50s - 60s jazz band filling the air. (Oh! happy days! Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Laine at Ingliston Motor Circuit circa 1960 . . . . !) This we seem to have achieved, and the numbers enjoying the day out has grown steadily over the years.
This partnership has managed to provide successful gatherings to this formula - most of which included the sunshine - over the years and we hope to meet many old friends and make some new acquaintances this year."
From these humble beginnings, our Annual Awards and Show Day has gone from strength to strength but unfortunately in recent years, our traditional date has clashed with a number of other car events in the region and so this year, in an effort to avoid the date clashes, we are moving our event to a Saturday. Following discussions with NTS and the Grampian Region Jaguar Enthusiasts Club, we have decided to hold it the day before the Jaguar event to create a weekend Classic Car Festival at Drum Castle featuring MGs on the Saturday and Jaguars on the Sunday.
Our event will run from 10:00 to 16:00 on Saturday 27th July and will feature a great display of MG cars of all ages from all over Scotland, great live music, charity stalls, deliciously cooked burgers, sausages etc., teas, coffees and fabulous cakes from Sally's coffee cart plus the opportunity to catch up with fellow motoring enthusiasts irrespective of whether they own an MG or not!
We are looking forward to welcoming all MG’s and entrants should aim to arrive from around 10:00hrs; note we normally have to close the gates to entrants at around midday. The event runs until approximately 16:00hrs.
Entry is £10 per car – all proceeds to charity.
An entry form can be downloaded via the following link:
Spectators
Spectators are welcome and in addition to normal charges to access the Castle and Grounds (free to members), NTS are charging an additional £5 per adult per day, or £8 for a weekend ticket to access the show. Free entry to the show for accompanied children. Tickets will be available to pre-purchase from NTS and a link will be provided.
