History Archives - Page 9 of 20

Made In Scotland – This Sunday AT GTM

Aberdeenshire, Information No Responses »

Jul 162015

With thanks to Martyn Smith.

The Grampian Transport Museum in Alford will be welcoming surviving examples from the Scottish Motor Industry to a one off event this Sunday.

Made in Scotland – an event running in conjunction with an exhibition of the same name in the museum building – will showcase everyday cars, such as the Hillman Imp – which were produced at the Rootes plant in Linwood, Paisley.

A 1973 Davrian Imp racing car, owned by renowned Imp expert Dave Cooper of Midhurst, West Sussex, will also be on display and will in fact be driven some 600 miles to the event.

Dave will also be talking to the museum’s Young Engineers team and offering advice on how best to restore the museum’s own 1965 Hillman Imp.

The First Group Heritage Trust and Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Trust will display a number of buses, once operated in Aberdeen and bodied by Alexander of Falkirk. The museum’s 1914 Sentinel Steam Waggon – the oldest fully functional example remaining – will offer museum visitors the chance of a ride around the circuit, as well as demonstrating the difference between steam and motor lorries of its era.

A 1927 Rolls Royce 20HP, which was bodied by Claud Hamilton of Aberdeen and now owned by Tom Muir of Kirkcaldy, will be making the journey north for Made in Scotland and joined by a pair of stunning Arrol Johnston vehicles which are also a part of the family collection.

A purpose built single seater racing car, the GWR Raptor, designed by former F1 Lotus designer Martin Ogilvie and built by former Scottish Champion and 2 time British Hillclimb champion Graeme Wight Junior, will be taking part in a demonstration on the museum’s circuit.

Made in Scotland takes place this Sunday, 19th July, from 12noon – 4pm and is included in the museum’s standard admission, £9.50 for adults, £7.50 for concessions with 2 children admitted FREE with every adult. More information can be found online at www.gtm.org.uk

MP Hails Successful Year For Portsoy Boat Festival

Aberdeenshire, Information No Responses »

Jul 102015

Eilidh Whiteford, Marc Ellington, Portsoy Boat Festival 2015sq

Eilidh Whiteford being interviewed by commentator Marc Ellington.

With thanks to Paul Robertson.

Local MP Eilidh Whiteford has hailed another successful year for the Portsoy Scottish Traditional Boat Festival.

The Festival, now in its 22nd year, took place over the weekend of 4th and 5th July.

Visiting the Festival on Sunday with her husband, Eilidh was also joined by SNP Westminster Leader and MP for Moray, Angus Robertson.

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford said:

“My congratulations to Roger Goodyear and the countless other organisers who have successfully delivered another stunning year for the Boat Festival.

“The rain on Saturday and fog on Sunday did not seem to deter thousands of visitors from the North-east and beyond, who came to sample great regional produce, learn about our heritage and of course see the fantastic skiffs.

“The Boat Festival at Portsoy is now one of the best established events in Scotland’s tourist calendar and I have no doubt that it will continue to build on its strengths in the years ahead.”

Stewart Stevenson, MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast, who also attended the festival added:

“Once again, the festival surpassed expectations and put on show the very best that the North-east has to offer. The buzz around this year’s festival was one of the best in several years and will no doubt keep the visitors coming back again and again.”

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Over 5,000 Enjoy SpeedFest15 at GTM In Alford

Aberdeenshire, Featured, News No Responses »

Jul 102015

With thanks to Alford Speedfest.

Record crowds attended SpeedFest15 on Sunday 5 July. Over 5,000 enjoyed sunny weather at the GTM in Alford, and a show which was opened by Dai Heather Hayes’ aerobatic display.

Organised by James and Sarah Parker and Tony Yule and their team of marshals and assistants from Black Dog Events.

As well as the annual Pursuits, new to SpeedFest this year was the Kinghorn Alford Drag. Andrew Cowie’s 800bhp Nissan Skyline finished first and was awarded a prize kindly donated by RA Plates.

Crowds enjoyed the spectacle and sounds of the 24,000cc Napier Bentley.

Motoring Journalist Simon Taylor from the Hollywood film Rush demonstrated the Charlie Bang slingshot dragster and was joined by Scotland’s fastest accelerating car, Colin Millar’s Flying Fyfer.

James Parker wowed the crowds again with smoke, noise and speed from the Indianapolis 500 pole setting Jim Robbins Special (pictured above).

Grampian Kart Club demonstrated their exciting karts showcasing some champions of the future, and Blata UK provided entertainment with a mini moto race.

Joining our SpeedBirds were Julia Stewart and her team of catsuited-pit girls adding glamour to an impressive line up of trade sands including Park’s Motor Group, Sytners (Lamborghini Edinburgh), Leven Car Company, Murray Motor Company, Aberdeen Porsche centre and Glack Attack.

Stig’s Scottish cousin, the ‘Stag’ was seen wondering around the site and then ‘stole’ the 8 litre Dodge Ram pick up and started drifting and smoking it around the track until the Black Dog marshals red-flagged him to a stop and security were brought in to remove him. In true form the Stag was clearly not impressed at being manhandled off the site.

Organisers Tony and James said ‘The record crowds here enjoyed a day full of on-track excitement, high octane demonstrations and we were delighted that the slick timings gave non-stop thrills’. Tony was delighted to have a head-to-head with co-organiser James in the well-loved vintage Frazer Nashes, ‘As well as seeing all the modern supercars at the event, It was a great experience for me to see how the 80-year old car handles as speed, I real eye-opener – I tried my best but I was beaten by its owner (maybe he’ll let me drive it again …) Great fun’.

A great display of exotic and iconic sports cars was supplemented by GT Scotland who had an impressive line-up, including a Bugatti Veyron.

Supercars Return To NE Scotland’s Premier Motoring Event.

Aberdeenshire, Featured, Information No Responses »

May 292015

With thanks to Martyn Smith.

Outlaw Anglia dragster.

Enthusiasts will soon be heading to Aberdeenshire for the annual SpeedFest, ready to be thrilled by the largest gathering of rare supercars, exciting performance cars, and historic racing cars in the North East of Scotland.
The Organisers are delighted to welcome back Park’s Motor Group of Hamilton who will be showcasing another iconic collection of McLaren, Bentley and Maserati sports cars.

They also wish to welcome back Town and County Porsche who are returning with a very exciting stand for 2015.

Additionally, the Organisers are thrilled to welcome The Leven Car Company (Aston Martin & Rolls Royce), Murray Motor Company (Lotus) and Sytners (Lamborghini and Ferrari) to the event for the first time.

SpeedFest is an established flagship event organised and hosted by Black Dog Events and held at the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford. SpeedFest always generates a huge amount of excitement and this year will showcase over 100 specially selected and invited cars to make up what the Organisers believe will be the best entry list ever seen in the North East.

All cars participating in the event shall be made as accessible as possible to the public.

The hub of the event is the short oval road circuit, which will play host to the famous ‘Alford Pursuit’ along with a new event for 2015, the Kinghorn Bodyshop-sponsored ‘Alford Drag’. As well as seeing the cars being put through their paces, spectators will have the opportunity to experience the thrill of on-track action for themselves by riding ‘shotgun’ in some fast car rides (available for the first 150 ‘Early Birds’ through the gate before the event gets fully underway).

However you can ensure you get an Early Bird Fast Car ride by purchasing a advanced ticket via our website www.alfordspeedfest.co.uk.

Organisers James Parker and Tony Yule comment that Alford SpeedFest15 is ready but are keeping their lips (mostly) sealed regarding what spectators can hope to see at the event:

“It’s going to be a pretty full programme of on-track activities,” says James. “We will be featuring some old favourites such as the Drifters, the dragsters and the aerobatic display, but we will also have some new and exciting things to showcase too – such as karting and mini-moto demonstrations along with a rather special finale – a specially designed rally super special stage featuring some very impressive rally cars!”

“We don’t want to give too much away,” adds Tony, “we have to keep our powder dry a bit… But we are just so excited by this year as it should be one to remember – we have gathered together a fantastic range of manufacturers to display their current models, along with some interesting and exciting trade stands…. Not to mention all of the on-track stuff which has taken months to organise and arrange. We’ve ordered good weather for the event!”

Colin Millar from ‘Flyin Fyfer Drag Racing Team’ will be on hand to demonstrate his 1150bhp nitrous powered ‘Outlaw Anglia’ dragster in an ear splitting, earth shaking and tyre burning display of POWER!! The Anglia can cover the fabled quarter mile sprint in an amazing 7 seconds.

SpeedFest15 will also play host to 2 returning cars loaned to the event by Mr E. Dean Butler: the ‘Jim Robbins Special’ Indycar which took pole at the 1955 Indianapolis 500 and the ‘Charles Bang Special’ slingshot dragster powered by a flathead Ford V8 with Offenhauser heads which set the US ‘D’ class quarter miles record at 10.32 seconds in 1966.

Historic racer Chris Williams returns to SpeedFest15 with another unique and powerful Bentley.

Fresh from his demonstration of the ‘Packard Bentley’ in 2014; Chris will unleash the might of his ‘Napier Bentley’ vintage racing car.

The Napier is a one-off special built on the chassis of a 1929 Bentley. It features a 24-litre Napier Sea Lion W12 boat engine that develops approximately 550bhp through the rear wheels (which are almost constantly smoking!!) whilst the stubby exhausts emit sparks, flames and smoke! The sound of this car is not to missed – having been likened to a World War I bi-plane or a cluster of mortar bombs being detonated!!

Both James and Tony promise a great day for enthusiasts and families with exciting non-stop action on the circuit, and a range of side stands and activities for families.

Local and national companies are providing support for the event, including Park’s Motor Group, Sytners (Edinburgh), The Leven Car Company, Town and County Porsche (Aberdeen), Murray Motor Company, Kinghorn Bodyshop, Glack Attack mud run, EDB Racing, Autoglym, Quantum Remapping, Aberdeen Alarm Company, AM Details, Fennel Media and Terraclean.

Alford SpeedFest15
Sun 5 July 2015: 11:00am- 5:00pm
Grampian Transport Museum, Alford, Aberdeenshire AB33 8AE
Adult £10, Child £5, OAP £7, Family £25

War And Peace In The Denburn Valley: A Review

Aberdeen City, Featured, Opinion 1 Response »

May 222015

David Innes reviews Diane Morgan’s Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Gardens – War and Peace in the Denburn Valley.

One of Aberdeen’s finest vistas is the 270 degree panorama of the northern city centre visible from the comfort of His Majesty’s Theatre’s glass extension, not uncontroversial itself as an architectural development.

Robert Gordon’s College, Cowdray Hall and its War Memorial, the Triple Kirks’ sadly-neglected but worthy brick spire, the beautifully-restored Belmont Street buildings, the impressive traffic-swallowing jaws of Union Bridge and Union Terrace’s imposing geometric granite facades can all be taken in with little more than a single swivel of the head.

In any weather, the view warms the heart of those with a love of sympathetic, integrated urban development. It defines Aberdeen.

At its centre is Union Terrace Gardens, the floor of the Denburn Valley, its greenness contrasting yet complementing the stark beauty of native granite.

Who would think that such an unimposing but beauteous defile would have caused controversy for centuries during its development, and very recent real conflict as its future divided opinion and caused lasting damage to political and even personal relationships in Aberdeen?

Diane Morgan is meticulous in her narration of the controversies that have surrounded the Valley’s development since its days as a bleaching green on the banks of the burn between Mutton Brae and Corbie Heugh.

As in her previous essential heritage volumes, she brings history to life, as if James Matthews and James Forbes, early pioneers of the Gardens’ development, are flitting in and out of the pages along with the original occupants of Union Terrace as that grand avenue’s status grew from tenemented cul de sac to become a highly-desirable residential and commercial location.

Conflicts are not new, we discover. Arguments over railway routes, disputed hotel names, kirk developments, bridges, Denburn Viaduct and even the trend for placement of inappropriate city artefacts in the Gardens, has seen the Denburn Valley a continual focus for debate and even rancour in the city. The current Dandara development on the Triple Kirks site means that controversy continues.

Of course, it is the recent divisive controversies that most will remember, and the author hands over to Mike Shepherd, the tireless former chairman of the Friends of Union Terrace Gardens, to examine in detail, and subsequently fillet, the business case for the City Square/City Garden Project, all the while displaying the emotional attachment that Aberdonians have for their Trainie Park.

Side-swiping at the mania for ‘connectivity’, Ms Morgan points out that Union Bridge and Denburn Viaduct have already solved issues with “the physical barrier of the Denburn Valley” which marks “the place where the new city took over from the medieval town”.

This is a superb perspective of the troubled history of Aberdeen’s centre, as impressive as the view from HMT.

Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Gardens War and Peace in the Denburn Valley by Diane Morgan
Black & White Publishing
ISBN 978-1-84502-494-9
238pp
£14.99

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How Many Left? This Sunday At GTM

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

May 222015

Final preparations are well underway for an exciting new event at the Grampian Transport Museum. With thanks to Martyn Smith.

How Many Left? will celebrate mass-produced vehicles which are now considered ‘endangered’ – those which have less than 500 of any specific model still licensed, according to DVLA statistics.

More than one hundred entries have been received for the inaugural event, including vehicles once considered every day cars – those which played an active part in many people’s day to day lives.

How Many Left? will feature static displays which will be further complimented with the addition of two vehicles believed to be the only examples of their type left; a 1976 Ford Granada Ghia Coupe and a 1978 Opel Commodore Coupe. The Opel has been owned by Alan Norrie of Longside, near Peterhead, for the last four years and was fully restored by a previous owner.

Visitors will be encouraged to take a trip down memory lane, with a number of vehicles taking to the museum’s road circuit for the ever popular passenger rides sessions at 12noon and 3pm. The light hearted event will feature further track activity including a grand vehicle parade (1.15pm – 1.45pm) and parallel auto test (2.00pm – 2.30pm), complete with expert commentary, will also add to the occasion!

There will be a presentation of awards at 2.35pm for the rarest vehicles of the day, assessed by the museums unique Rarity Index; a calculation which takes account of numbers known to exist and the original production run.

Public admission to How Many Left? is £5 for adults with children under the age of 16 and gtm+ members are admitted free! Museum admission will also be discounted on the day with adults £5, concessions £4 and students £2. 2 children are admitted FREE with every adult.

How Many Left? gets underway at 12noon and runs until 4pm.

Tranquility Wild West Town: Hoedown Lowdown

Aberdeenshire, News No Responses »

May 152015

The Huntly area’s Tranquility Wild West Town held an open day on 4th May. The rain came down nonstop, but that did not stop families, cowboys and girls, and people of all ages coming together for a great day of Wild West Fun. Suzanne Kelly, a new member to the Tranquility Wild West Town & Re-enactment Group gives the lowdown on this hoedown.

Tranquility Wild West Town reenactment the bad guys get ready to draw. By Suzanne Kelly

Despite the weather, a great time was had by visitors young and old to Tranquility Wild West Town on Sunday 4th May.

Those who braved the weather enjoyed tours of the authentic, fully-furnished town buildings, refreshments, two re-enactments, and a raffle.

If you assume the town is just fake building fronts, you’d be wrong.

The town boasts a Town Hall, the Tranquility Saloon, Telegraph Office, a barbershop and more – all fully and authentically furnished.

Visitors tried their hands at horseshoe pitching and knife throwing. A raffle was held, and youngsters were given toy guns, sheriff’s badges and deputised.

The re-enacted gunfights were the highlight of the afternoon. One was humourous; the other a demonstration of what a lawman would have been up against defending his town from the lawless.

Some of the members explained their interest in the American Wild West goes back to their childhood days of going to Aberdeen’s then many theatres. The cowboy films captured their imaginations. We mused that while we were here in Scotland surrounded by castles and thousands of years of history and re-enacting western life, undoubtedly in America there will be people gathering for Renaissance and Medieval festivals, dressed as knights and ladies.

The membership of Tranquility is growing; interested parties will find more information here. https://www.facebook.com/TranquilityWildWestTown?fref=ts

See y’all around town.

How Many Left? Museum Appeals For Forgotten Gems

Aberdeenshire, Information No Responses »

May 072015

Vauxhall Cavalier MK2

With thanks to Martyn Smith.

With just under three weeks to go entries are still being accepted for the inaugural How Many Left? at the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford.
‘How Many Left?’ is open to any mass-produced car from the 1960s onwards, which has less than 500 licensed examples left, according to DVLA records.

The event, which takes place on Sunday 24th May from 12noon – 4pm, is designed to celebrate some of the not quite classics of the motoring world.

Take, for example, the Vauxhall Cavalier MK2. First introduced in August 1981, the car was considered a huge success, challenging the Ford Cortina as the front runner amongst company car fleet buyers.

By 1982 Cavalier sales topped 100,000 effectively establishing a two horse race between Vauxhall and Ford. Ultimately over 800,000 examples of the second generation Cavalier were sold, making it the third most common car on Britain’s roads. Staggeringly there are now as few as 1,300 of the 800,000 on the records of the DVLA!

Appearing at How Many Left will be a great example of the Cavalier, restored by current owner Robert McLean, of Banchory in 2010. His special edition Antibes – only ever available in red, blue or white – is now reduced to just 7 examples in the UK and will be appearing at How Many Left.

How Many Left will feature prizes awarded to the rarest survivors, assessed by the museums unique Rarity Index; a calculation that takes account of numbers known to exist and the original production run.

The event will feature static display areas as well as the ever popular public passenger rides, where visitors can jump into participating vehicles for a trip down memory lane. There will also be a chronological vehicle pageant and parallel autotests with expert commentary to enjoy.

Commenting on the event Martyn Smith, Marketing & Events Organiser said:

“It’s fascinating to look at some of the vehicle entries we’ve already received, the original production numbers and then the latest DVLA figures. Cars which were produced in their thousands and were once a common sight on the roads are simply disappearing!

“‘How Many Left’ is bound to rekindle lots of memories – some good, some perhaps not so good, but the ethos of the event is to celebrate these cars with light hearted track activity and of course our Rarity Index where we’ll identify the rarest car of the show”

Entries for How Many Left are being accepted until Monday 18th May. As well as entry to the event, vehicle owners will receive free museum admission and free BBQ. Full information and entry forms can be found online at www.gtm.org.uk

Rover SD1 Vitesse on ‘For the Love of Cars’

Aberdeenshire, Featured, Information No Responses »

Apr 232015

Grampian Transport Museum vehicle to feature on Channel 4 this Sunday. With thanks to Martyn Smith.

A former Grampian Police vehicle will be the star of the small screen this weekend when it is featured on Channel 4.
Now in its second series, For the Love of Cars is presented by Philip Glenister (Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes) and Ant Anstead of Evanta Motor Company as they set about restoring iconic cars to their former glory, before selling them on at auction.

The Rover SD1 Vitesse – the only such example operated by Grampian Police – was in operation from 1985 to 1988 and would patrol the then new Stonehaven bypass, checking for speeding vehicles. Along with six other vehicles which were also restored for the series, it was put under the hammer on 10th January at Coys auction at the NEC in Birmingham.

Commenting at the time, curator Mike Ward was delighted to be able to bring the vehicle back to Aberdeenshire:

“We’ve been aware of this particular vehicle for some time now – it’s no stranger to our museum and in fact has appeared here before. When we found out that it was up for sale it was always our intention to try and bring this rare example ‘back home’. The hammer went down at £9,750 which is a new world record for a Rover SD1 at auction.”

The Rover has been on display at the Alford museum since the start of the season and was the star of the recent ‘Emergency Vehicle Rides’ afternoon, driven by former police driver Ian Slorach.

Series 2 of For the Love of Cars continues at 8pm on Sunday 26th April on Channel 4.

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Emergency Services Return To Transport Museum

Aberdeenshire, Information No Responses »

Apr 032015

With thanks to Martyn Smith.

The emergency services will be returning to the Grampian Transport Museum on Friday 10th April for the annual ‘Emergency Vehicle Rides’ afternoon.

The inaugural event, which took place in 2014, proved extremely popular with over 900 visitors flocking to the museum for the opportunity of a ride in a police car or fire engine and there are even more vehicles confirmed for this years event!

The museums recently acquired Rover SD1 Vitesse police car will make its first public appearance since returning to the North East in January. It will be driven by Ian Slorach, a former officer with the Grampian Police Force.

Ian will be taking to the wheel and chatting to passengers about the vehicle, which was a one-off in the Grampian fleet when commissioned in 1985.

A privately owned 1970s Commer Fire Engine, which made its debut appearance at the first Emergency Vehicle Rides event, is also set to return.

Other vehicles already confirmed include a Mountain Rescue Land Rover and Green Goddess fire engine – the type originally used by the Auxiliary Fire Service and latterly held in reserve by the Home Office. The Green Goddess famously made a return to service during the fire fighters strikes in 1977 and, more recently, in 2002 when they were operated by members of the Armed Forces.

Emergency Vehicle Rides take place from 2pm to 4pm and are included in the museums standard admission. Due to popular demand there will be a second Emergency Vehicle Rides afternoon taking place on Thursday 6th August.

On Wednesday 15th April the Easter fun continues with a Spring Activities afternoon. There will be fun activities, crafts and quizzes for all of the family plus face painting and performances from local magicians ‘Allan’s Magic’

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