A record number of classic and vintage vehicles are expected to gather on the banks of the River Dee next weekend for one of Aberdeenshire’s favourite rallies.
The Crathes Vintage Car and Motorcycle Rally will be held at the Milton of Crathes on Sunday, May 31 and is expected to attract more than 300 vintage, classic and collector’s cars and motorcycles.
The event is organised by the Banchory Rotary Club and has so far secured 295 entries – including 89 first-time exhibitors.
Last year’s record was 288.
Chairman of the rally, Richard Bridger, said vintage car fans from as far afield as Thurso were expected to attend the event, which will feature vehicles from the turn of the 20th century.
Mr Bridger – who will be showing off his own pride and joy, a 1998 TVR – said: “This will be the 19th year of the event. It seems to get more popular every year. People come quite a way, someone is coming from Thurso which is quite some distance.”
He added it was a pleasure every year to see a gathering of people committed to the preservation of motor vehicle history.
“The vehicles are so different, they cover from pre-1930s to the present day,” he said. “Everyone puts an awful lot of work into restoring the cars, they are in tip-top condition.”
Cars and motorcycles from the vintage and post-vintage eras dating from the early-1900s until the late-1930s will be on show, as well as vehicles from five collectors classes built between 1940 and the present day.
Banchory Pipe Band will be performing, and there will also be stalls, food stands, a tombola and a bouncy castle.
The event is the club’s major annual fundraiser and last year raised £9,000 for north-east charities.
There will also be a road run held on the morning of the event from Crathes to Torphins and back.
The money raised this year will go to Scottish children’s charity, CHAS, which provides hospice services for youngsters with incurable conditions.
Other local charities will also benefit from the event through the club’s charity fund.
The rally is sponsored by oil and gas firm, EFC Group, and runs from 10am until 4.30pm.