THE HIGHLAND 1000 2021 RALLY
4 DAY CLASSIC CAR COMPETITION RALLY
SEPT 8 to 12, 2021
Erskine – Bridge of Orchy – Strathpeffer – Edinburgh
1000kms of exceptional roads and rallying
We often think of adventures as happening in far-flung, exotic places but Bespoke Rallies’ Highland 1000 goes to show that the biggest thrills are often to be had closer to home. Covering 1000 kilometres of hard driving through Scotland’s most stunning landscapes, it provides some of the best mountain, moorland and ocean views that Britain has to offer.
Scotland is a special part of the world.
The Highland 1000 is a four-day event ideal for all levels of experience. For the novice it’s a great introduction to historic regularity rallies, and for the more experienced driver it provides the perfect opportunity to brush up on old skills or shake down your car for a longer event. Along the way you’ll discover the beauty and variety of the Highland landscape and experience the warm welcome and celebrated hospitality of the Scottish people.
From the startline at the historic Mar Hall Hotel to the west of Glasgow, the rally heads across the Firth of Clyde to some of the most magical, undiscovered areas of Scotland. Through the peninsulas of Cowal and Kintyre you will have the roads pretty much to yourself, passing through estates and forestry land that provide breath-taking views across the sea to the Inner Hebrides. As you venture north the roads climb higher through snow-capped highland glens before joining the “Road to the Isles” for a trip to the Isle of Skye and some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country.
Heading back to the mainland across the Kyle of Lochalsh you will skirt the Applecross Peninsula and join the celebrated North Coast 500 Route. The rally finally makes its way back south through the Cairngorms, the majestic national park crisscrossed with forests, rivers, lochs, friendly villages and distilleries for a well-earned rest in the beautiful surroundings of the Norton House Hotel and Spa, Edinburgh.
The competition will take place on quiet roads which you can enjoy to their fullest and test the skills of your navigator. There is no night-time driving and most of the route and competition will unfold on tarmac, though we will inevitably tackle the occasional gravel road. For those who want a more relaxed drive we also have a Touring Class.
As you will soon discover, when it comes to thrills, spills and scenery, the Highland 1000 has it all.
THE SCHEDULE
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Mar Hall Hotel, Erskine
Arrival and check-in
Built in 1840 and remodelled in 2004, Mar Hall is a 5-star hotel and
spa set on its own 240-acre estate on the southern bank of the River Clyde. Arrive for check in by mid-afternoon and have the rest of the day to yourselves – take a dip in the indoor heated pool, book yourself a treatment in the spa or play a round on the 18-hole championship golf course.
Day 2 – Erskine to Bridge of Orchy
We make our way to the start line for 9am, where each of the competitors is waved off at minute intervals under the St Andrew’s Flag. The route heads westwards for a short ferry-ride over the Firth of Clyde to the Cowal peninsula, an undiscovered corner of Scotland covered with sparkling sea lochs and ancient forests. Another sea-crossing takes us to the Kintyre peninsula, where we make our way across hilly moorland and alongside shingle beaches, taking in stunning views of the Isle of Arran and the Sound of Bute. Heading northwards with the Hebridean islands of Islay and Jura to the west, we drive through Argyll, passing along the shoreside of Loch Awe before climbing deep into the Highlands towards our overnight accommodation at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel. Nestled at the head of one of Scotland’s most beautiful glens and in the lee of the iconic highland mountain Beinn Dorain, this boutique 4-star hotel is the perfect place to unwind after a long first day of driving.
Day 3 – Bridge of Orchy to Strathpeffer
Today’s route sets off alongside the West Highland Line, arguably the most dramatic railway line in the British Isles. Wending our way through the mountain passes of Glencoe with its views of Ben Nevis beyond, the road descends to the banks of Loch Linnhe before heading westwards towards the coast. Single-track roads take us through the majestic hills and ancient forests of Sunart before we join the A380, the historic “Road to the Isles”. At Mallaig we take a 30-minute ferry crossing to the Isle of Skye for an unforgettable drive on this most iconic of islands. With the spectacular Cuillin mountains rising up dramatically in the distance we head back towards the mainland across the Skye Bridge at the Kyle of Lochalsh before skirting the ancient moorland of the famous Applecross peninsula. As we meet the sea again, we join the A832, part of the famous North Coast 500 Route and without doubt one of Britain’s finest roads. As the day ends, we park up at the stunning Coul House Hotel in the village of Contin and prepare for a gourmet dinner together at its award-winning restaurant.
Day 4 – Strathpeffer to Edinburgh
Our final day of driving begins by tracing the meandering river Beauly and the valley of Strathglass before heading east to the banks of Loch Ness. Skirting south of the historic city of Inverness we begin our climb into the high plateaux of the Cairngorms. As we cross the river Spey we join part of the famous Malt Whisky Trail, passing through Tomintoul (the highest village in the Highlands) and past signs to the nearby Tamnavulin and Glenlivet estates. Soon we are deep in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Cairngorms, as old military roads take us past out-of-season ski-resorts and through a boulder-strewn landscape of snow-topped mountain ranges and freestanding tors.
As the mountains recede, we make our descent into the rural lowlands of Perthshire and continue to our journey’s end at the four-star Norton House Hotel and Spa, a traditional country retreat to the west of the Scottish capital. On this, our last night, a celebratory dinner is held as trophies are awarded and adventures exchanged.
• An entry for two people and their car
• Bed and breakfast in a twin or double room for four nights
• Evening meals included
• Tulip roadbook and Maps
• Our experienced team
• Beautiful Scottish scenery
• Roads less travelled
• Rally Awards
• Mechanical assistance
• Photobook of the event
• Film of the event
• Event regalia
• Our Virtual Marshal timing system
• A well prepared classic car
• Halda/Trip-Master or similar
• Clocks
• A car that fits into one of our classes
• A co-driver/driver
Vintage:
V1 1920 to 1939, V2 1940 to 1949
Classic:
C1 1950 to 1959
C1A Up to 1300cc, C1B 1300cc to 2000cc, C1C Over 2000cc
C2 1960 to 1969
C2A Up to 1300cc, C2B 1300cc to 2000cc, C2C Over 2000cc
C3 1970 to 1979
C3A Up to 1300cc, C3B 1300cc to 2000cc, C3C Over 2000cc
C4 1980 to 1989
C4A Up to 1300cc, C4B 1300cc to 2000cc, C4C Over 2000cc
C5 Touring
* Classes may be combined as necessary
* * Please note: route and timings may be changed without notice
THE SCHEDULE
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Mar Hall Hotel, Erskine
Arrival and check-in
Built in 1840 and remodelled in 2004, Mar Hall is a 5-star hotel and
spa set on its own 240-acre estate on the southern bank of the River Clyde. Arrive for check in by mid-afternoon and have the rest of the day to yourselves – take a dip in the indoor heated pool, book yourself a treatment in the spa or play a round on the 18-hole championship golf course.
Day 2 – Erskine to Bridge of Orchy
We make our way to the start line for 9am, where each of the competitors is waved off at minute intervals under the St Andrew’s Flag. The route heads westwards for a short ferry-ride over the Firth of Clyde to the Cowal peninsula, an undiscovered corner of Scotland covered with sparkling sea lochs and ancient forests. Another sea-crossing takes us to the Kintyre peninsula, where we make our way across hilly moorland and alongside shingle beaches, taking in stunning views of the Isle of Arran and the Sound of Bute. Heading northwards with the Hebridean islands of Islay and Jura to the west, we drive through Argyll, passing along the shoreside of Loch Awe before climbing deep into the Highlands towards our overnight accommodation at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel. Nestled at the head of one of Scotland’s most beautiful glens and in the lee of the iconic highland mountain Beinn Dorain, this boutique 4-star hotel is the perfect place to unwind after a long first day of driving.
Day 3 – Bridge of Orchy to Strathpeffer
Today’s route sets off alongside the West Highland Line, arguably the most dramatic railway line in the British Isles. Wending our way through the mountain passes of Glencoe with its views of Ben Nevis beyond, the road descends to the banks of Loch Linnhe before heading westwards towards the coast. Single-track roads take us through the majestic hills and ancient forests of Sunart before we join the A380, the historic “Road to the Isles”. At Mallaig we take a 30-minute ferry crossing to the Isle of Skye for an unforgettable drive on this most iconic of islands. With the spectacular Cuillin mountains rising up dramatically in the distance we head back towards the mainland across the Skye Bridge at the Kyle of Lochalsh before skirting the ancient moorland of the famous Applecross peninsula. As we meet the sea again, we join the A832, part of the famous North Coast 500 Route and without doubt one of Britain’s finest roads. As the day ends, we park up at the stunning Coul House Hotel in the village of Contin and prepare for a gourmet dinner together at its award-winning restaurant.
Day 4 – Strathpeffer to Edinburgh
Our final day of driving begins by tracing the meandering river Beauly and the valley of Strathglass before heading east to the banks of Loch Ness. Skirting south of the historic city of Inverness we begin our climb into the high plateaux of the Cairngorms. As we cross the river Spey we join part of the famous Malt Whisky Trail, passing through Tomintoul (the highest village in the Highlands) and past signs to the nearby Tamnavulin and Glenlivet estates. Soon we are deep in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Cairngorms, as old military roads take us past out-of-season ski-resorts and through a boulder-strewn landscape of snow-topped mountain ranges and freestanding tors.
As the mountains recede, we make our descent into the rural lowlands of Perthshire and continue to our journey’s end at the four-star Norton House Hotel and Spa, a traditional country retreat to the west of the Scottish capital. On this, our last night, a celebratory dinner is held as trophies are awarded and adventures exchanged.
WHAT YOU NEED
• A well prepared classic car
• Halda/Trip-Master or similar
• Clocks
• A car that fits into one of our classes
• A co-driver/driver
Entry Fee: £3,250. Entry fee includes: Bed and breakfast in a twin or double room for four nights for two people in one room (single room available for supplement), detailed tulip book, maps, stunning route, briefing, evening meals, mechanical assistance, event regalia, competition, prizes. The Highland 1000 is organised in association with VCRR.
Interested? Call us now to reserve your place.
Phone: + 44 (0)1483 271 699 or dowload an entry form below
WANT TO TALK TO THE RALLY TEAM? CALL US NOW ON + 44 (0)1483 271 699
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