Almost 50 classic and historic cars set off from John O’Groats this morning, beginning a remarkable 1500 mile journey from the far north of Scotland to the South of France.
The crews, travelling from across the UK, Europe and the United States, are taking part in the Monte Carlo Classique and Historique Rally, marking one hundred years since the event first began from the windswept northern tip of the mainland.
A century ago, a small group of determined adventurers drove south from John O’Groats to Monte Carlo, laying the foundations for what would become one of the world’s most iconic motorsport events.
Today’s competitors are retracing that route in a diverse and evocative collection of cars, some dating back to the earliest years of the rally itself.
Among them is a 1952 Sunbeam Talbot owned by a couple from California, the very car driven by Stirling Moss in the 1953 Monte Carlo Rally and still carrying its original competition number.
Also making the journey is a 1934 Lagonda, which has already travelled north from the south of England to take part in the centenary run.
The entry list spans decades of motoring history, with Minis, MGBs and Ford Escorts joined by names that once filled Britain’s roads, including the Triumph Herald, Sunbeam Alpine, Austin Healey Sprite, Riley and Hillman Imp.
In recent years the rally has begun from a variety of Scottish locations, including Paisley, Glasgow and Clydebank, but for this landmark anniversary there has been a welcome return to the traditional John O’Groats start.
From the north, crews are travelling south through Inverness and Glencoe today before arriving at Stirling Castle for a special ‘Monte Fest’ event.
The castle will be floodlit in red as spectators are given the chance to meet competitors, see the cars up close and share in the atmosphere of a rally steeped in history.
After an overnight stop at North Queensferry, the teams will continue through the Scottish Borders tomorrow before heading to Hull for the overnight ferry to Rotterdam.
From there, the long continental leg of the journey begins, carrying the crews through Europe and on to their final destination in Monaco.
For those watching the cars roll away from John O’Groats this morning, the sight was a reminder that even a hundred years on, the spirit of adventure that shaped the original rally still very much lives on.
