The patience of the participants was tested. The Far North Classic, organized by Classic Automobiel Reizen, was postponed in 2021 due to COVID-19. A year later everything was fine. In June of this year, various classic owners still drove the beautiful ride through Scotland and the Orkney Islands. Co-organizer Theo Hoekstra - also known for the report we made with him and his extremely strong Volvo 122 S - sent us the experiences from the inside. He takes you on a journey in a gripping retrospective.
“The field consists of 22 Volvos (Katback, Amazon, P1800, ES and 164) and eight cars from other brands. All cars have been inspected in the workshop of Volvo Nederland in Beesd. A technical team will go along in a Volvo V90 CC made available by Volvo Netherlands. Couldn't be better prepared. Thank you Volvo Netherlands!
On Saturday 4 June 2022, 30 classics will start on arrival in Newcastle for the first leg along Hadrian's Wall, via Gretna Green, to Irvine on the west coast of Scotland. The sun is shining, the sliding roof is open and there is a technical team present just in case!
How beautiful life is! On two more such divine days we drive via Drymen to Oban. The roads wind past mountains from one Loch to another under a slightly overcast sky. Occasionally we meet cows and sheep on the road and drive past castle ruins along the way. We avoid the main roads as much as possible. On the narrow inland roads, the so-called single track roads, when a Scottish oncoming vehicle comes into view, you have to reverse to a small road widening, after which it is possible to pass each other. Nature in Scotland is a bit later than in the Netherlands, flowering rhododendrons and gorse give color to the rolling hills, interspersed by the occasional heath, old trees and a stream. The engine of the 122S purrs merrily, the radio remains off. Hill after hill, the E5 petrol with an octane booster does the engine well.
Two days of “rest” in Oban, so enough time to travel with the antique Jacobite Train with steam locomotive from Fort William to Mallaigh. One of the most beautiful train journeys in Europe, world famous thanks to the Harry Potter books. Patches of steam fly past the windows, 100 years back in time. At the bottom of the high viaduct hundreds of people enthusiastically wave to the travelers. It's a special experience.
Via the North Coast 500, one of the most spectacular driving routes in Europe, the route runs via Ullapool to Thurso where we will take the ferry for the crossing to the Orkney Islands. The NC500; we are impressed by the rugged and inhospitable coast. You can't get lost here, there is only one way. This leads past beautiful bays, steep cliffs and the occasional small village with a harbor. The sun makes the day happy, it doesn't get any better!
On the Orkney's there is another day of rest. In Kirkwall, with an enthusiastic Davie Capbell, garage owner and president of the Orkney classic club, various minor defects are rectified and the Cat backs are lubricated. The presence of a bridge makes working so pleasant. Then visited Scara Brae, a settlement from 3000 BC. Impressive to see how the early inhabitants lived.
Returning to mainland Scotland, the journey continues south along the east coast via Grantown-on-Spey, the starting point of the WhiskeyTrail, to Aberdeen. The Speyside, the Walhalla for the whiskey lover. On the route you will find all major brands, and you can visit the distilleries. There is always a shop around stock at home to fill in. This trail is about 150 km long and we ride it on the "rest day". You can see that the area is richer than the Highlands in the north and the landscape looks friendlier, also helped by the weather. The Amazon is also still having a good time: the engine runs like a charm!
From Aberdeen we continue the route through the Cairngorms National Park, past Balmoral Castle, to Pitlochry, a small tourist town. A beautiful mountain landscape with occasional whole steep guys (up to twenty percent!). We enjoy a lot. The Amazon's engine roars, the two SUs make a deep gurgling (too much whiskey fumes?!) sound as they climb, and the sunroof is still open. What a weather and what a car!
After a visit to Edinburgh we drive to Newcastle to take the night boat to IJmuiden with a dinner buffet on board to conclude the trip. The next morning all participants and their classics are back home. They are many miles and a wonderful experience richer.”
Since 2008, the KAR (Classic Automobile Travel) Foundation has been organizing trips for owners of classic cars aged 25 and older in the Netherlands and abroad. More information about the activities and previously organized trips can be found at the website.
Thanks to Theo Hoekstra, who provided the main text and provided us with the necessary visual material.
What a beautiful environment there. Pure enjoyment to be able to drive an oldtimer there!!