1st August - Drum Road Run and Picnic

Unfortunately, due to the continued uncertainty over COVID restrictions, a few weeks ago we reluctantly decided we had no choice but to cancel our Annual Awards and Show Day at the fabulous National Trust for Scotland Drum Castle. Nonetheless, since the date had been in people's diaries for some time, we decided instead to hold a road run which, with the kind agreement of NTS, concluded with a picnic on the lawn at Drum. We charged a nominal fee for the day, all of the proceeds went to NTS who have had a very difficult time over the last few months.

The weather leading up to the day had been extremely good but the day dawned overcast with the ever present threat of showers.  Nonetheless, around 20 cars gathered at the Deeside Activity Park and fortified by teas / coffees and breakfast rolls we all set off for a 75 mile road run through the Aberdeenshire countryside - the route had once again been devised by John and Jill Chessor.

The hardy types in their MGBs were generally 'tops off', whereas the softies in their MGFs were mostly 'tops up'!  Mike Robinson in his fabulous J2 was probably the most exposed to the elements, but he was still smiling!

Soon after we set off, unfortunately the rain arrived and forced a couple of us to stop to put roofs up but no sooner had we done so than the weather steadily started to improve. Typical!

A mid-route stop for refreshments was taken at Goodbrand's, in Strathdon, before heading over to Ballater and along the South Deeside Road (where the picture of Mike's J2 on the website home page was taken) to Drum Castle, where 21 cars parked up for a mid-afternoon 'socially distanced' picnic on the South Lawn.

Despite the weather, it was a fabulous day out which everybody seemed to enjoy - Alan Kreft even managed to purchase another MGF at Drum! 

Special thanks must go NTS and the staff at Drum for welcoming us and to our friends from the Grampian Region Jaguar Enthusiasts Club who marshaled the arriving cars on to the lawn.

All being well, normal service will be resumed next year and we will make an extra effort to ensure that the Annual Awards and Show Day will be the best yet. 

Below are a few pictures that John took on the day; more can be seen on the Aberdeen MGOC Facebook page.

In addition, we were privileged to once again welcome Paul Barlow to the event - Paul owns a Porsche but is a fan of MGs and has attended a number of our events in the past.  He is a keen photographer and was out taking pictures at both Craigievar Village Hall and again on the A939 after leaving Corgarff.  These can be viewed on his website or Facebook page via the links below. 

If anyone would like an original copy of any of the pictures on Paul's sites please let me know and I will put you in touch.