Gathering of the Clans

June 22nd and 23rd 2024

Every year since August 1979, MG owners and members from all the regional MG clubs in Scotland have met at a Scottish National event called variously the Gathering of the Clans, MG Ecosse and the Scottish National MG Event. For the last few years, the Gathering of the Clans (as it is currently known) has been held at the fabulous Scottish Antique & Arts Centre in Doune, Stirlingshire in September.

Sadly though, the weather hasn’t always been kind!

Since 2023 was the centenary of MG Cars, the event last year was larger than normal and was a celebration of this significant anniversary in the history of MG.

Known as ‘MG 100 Ecosse’, the event attracted around 250 entries and was run in conjunction with a hill climb at the venue organised by Lothian Car Club. Despite the weather, the event was well received and raised over £2200 for charity and was deemed a great success.

In theory, a different Club should host the event every year and the most recent organisers have been MGOC Glasgow and MGOC Stirling, with most Clubs having contributed to the organisation of MG 100 Ecosse.

In September 2023 therefore, shortly after the dust had settled on MG 100 Ecosse, the call went out for a club to host the event in 2024…..

History of the event:

Nigel Macmillan, club secretary of Stirling MGOC, has done some research and discovered that the very first Scottish National Event took place on 19th August 1979. Organised by the then Scottish Regional Secretary Ian Daniels, it was held at Glasgow Green, bordering the river Clyde right in the heart of Glasgow!

The Scottish National Event then appears to have moved to Doune in the early 1980’s and at some point, the name was changed to MG Ecosse and was hosted by different MG clubs over the years. It continued to be held at Doune, possibly until the Motor Museum there closed in October 1998.

For reasons unknown, the name of the event was subsequently changed to the Gathering of The Clans and whilst it hasn’t been possible to determine exactly when or why this happened, it seems likely that the Aberdeen MG Owners’ Club hosted the first Gathering of the Clans at the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford, Aberdeenshire – possibly soon after the Museum at Doune closed in October 1998?

At some point though, the Gathering returned to Doune and has remained there ever since….that is, until now!

Having attended the event at Doune for the past few years, we thought it was time that we took a turn at organising it again and so the Aberdeen MG Owners’ Club will be hosting the 2024 event which will return to what we believe was the location of the inaugural Gathering – the Grampian Transport Museum, Montgarrie Rd, Alford, Aberdeenshire. AB33 8A. https://www.gtm.org.uk/

Given the uncertainty of the Scottish weather and in an effort to avoid date clashes, in liaison with the Museum we have agreed that the event will be a 2-day event over the weekend of June 22nd and 23rd. The reason we chose to run it over the weekend was that many entrants will be travelling a fair distance to the event so we thought we should make a weekend of it – with a special road run on Sunday.

Programme of the Event:

The main Gathering will take place at the Grampian Transport Museum on Saturday June 22nd.

The venue features a purpose built short oval circuit and if there is sufficient interest, entrants can participate in slow speed parade laps. There will be on site catering, trade stands plus other attractions and there will be 2 levels of entry fee.

The first is the standard GTM charitable donation fee of £10 per car (which applies to every GTM event) and gives access to the event and the Museum grounds. This will most likely be the preferred option for GTM members or people who do not wish to visit the Museum.

The second-tier entry will be £20 per car and will give access to the event and the Museum grounds but will also entitle 2 people entry to the Museum, including the Traveller’s Rest café and the gift shop; this represents a significant saving over the normal entry fee to the Museum.

Note that the Museum changes the exhibits every year, so even if you have been before, there will inevitably be some new things to see and do.

Spectators are welcome to visit the Museum on Saturday - there will be no charge for entry to the Gathering but normal Museum rates will apply if you wish to visit the Museum.

On Saturday evening, the restaurant at the nearby Forbes Arms Hotel has been booked for us. The restaurant can seat around 65 / 70 people and is already half full, so if you would like to join us for the dinner, please let us know as soon as possible. Most likely there will be a set menu, but this is still to be agreed. https://www.theforbesarmshotel.com/

Reduced rate accommodation has been secured at both the Forbes Arms and the Haughton Arms Hotel which is also in the village. https://haughtonarms.co.uk/

If you are booking accommodation at either of these Hotels, please mention the MG Owners’ Club event for the reduced rates. There are numerous other Hotels in the Region so if you need any assistance booking accommodation please contact us.

A to B (Alford to Balmoral!)

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On Sunday morning, we will muster at the Transport Museum in the morning, probably around 09:30 / 10:00 (TBC) for the start of a leisurely road run out to Balmoral Castle.

Two routes have been devised as shown below; Route 1 is around 30 miles on predominantly main roads and is designed for the older cars, whereas Route 2 is around 40 miles on country / narrow roads and is more uphill / down dale. Both routes are very scenic through the magnificent Aberdeenshire countryside with plenty to see on the way.

Provisional road books can be found via the links below but note that whilst they are correct at the time of writing (March), there may be minor changes on the day due to road closures etc. Final versions will be issued shortly before the event.

On arrival at Balmoral, cars will enter the Castle grounds through the main gates and will be marshalled up the drive to park outside the Castle for a once in a lifetime photo opportunity. For the Balmoral entry fee, entrants will be allowed to leave their cars outside the Castle and will be able to undertake an audio tour of the Castle grounds and those parts of the Castle open to the public.

They can also visit the café and gift shop as well as visiting any exhibitions that are on at the time. It is believed that there will be an exhibition of King Charles’ watercolours in June, but this is subject to confirmation.

If entrants don’t wish to pay the entry fee to Balmoral, they can park in the public car park in Crathie and walk into the castle grounds free of charge. Note though that the only way to park your car in front of the Castle (which is not generally available) is to pay the entry fee, irrespective of whether you want to take the audio tour or visit the Castle.

After a leisurely lunch at the café (if required), entrants will disperse home or can visit the local attractions, such as the nearby Royal Lochnagar distillery or the many cafés and attractions in nearby Ballater.

All in all, this promises to be a fabulous weekend so please contact your local MG Club or, if entering individually, contact the Aberdeen MGOC club secretary via the links on the website as soon as possible to register your interest.