Perthshire classic car event sets charity funding target

Tour which has lured royalty returns in full in 2026

Organisers hope to nudge their charitable fundraising to nearly £100 000 as the Perthshire Classic Car Tour roars back in full in April.

Last year, a ‘stripped down’ version of one of Scotland’s longest and most scenic rallies saw 33 vintage and classic motors take part, even although organisers, Rotary Club of Perth, had told loyal drivers they were taking a one year sabbatical.

A testament to its popularity, drivers inundated the organisers with emails and, given the reaction to the ‘break’, a slimmed rally was put together in short order, minus the gala dinner (and having to navigate a roadblock at Bankfoot).

Full scale return

Now, the rally is to return in full, taking in some of the best of the Perthshire countryside, precipitous stretches of Lochaber and Argyllshire and returning via Loch Earn to the Charity Dinner and awards at Crieff Hydro.

Already 30 cars have entered, with 50-80 expected, and all funds raised will go to Race Against Dementia and Prostate Scotland.

Since Rotary Club of Perth assumed organisation of the rally from its Blairgowrie counterpart, cash raised for charity has climbed towards £100 000.

“We’ve created a niche in developing one of the longest circuits in Scotland. It is a really good run, almost like 3 separate events,” said Chief Organiser, Bill McDonald.

“There are a lot of classic rallies at 2 to 3 hours but ours is a full day experience, with a charity dinner and awards ceremony at Crieff Hydro, at the end. Participants love the route and remark on how friendly and welcoming the atmosphere is.”

A royal flavour

Stephen Leckie, Chief Executive of Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, which is sponsoring the 2026 event along with John Clark Motor Group, is a classic car aficionado and will exhibit vehicles from his own private collection at the Gala Dinner at Crieff Hydro.

The VisitScotland Chair usually drives a stretch of the route and has even been responsible, by dint of his role as Lord Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross, for persuading members of the royal family to take part whilst visiting Perthshire.

In 2022, HRH the Duke of Kent and HRH Prince Michael of Kent, in an Aston Martin DB6 Mk2 and a Sunbeam Alpine Roadster respectively, drove out from Perth towards Loch Tay.

Variety of Cars

Expected at the registration point at McDiarmid Park, Perth, on Sunday 26th April will be a variety of historic vehicles, from Lamborghinis to Astons and Jaguars.

Entry is free but participants are expected to make a donation and friends and family can boost funding by sponsoring a car or driver.

Entrants will also receive a much sought-after Tour Handbook, containing routes, maps and the back stories of the amazing cars from bygone eras.

“We get 1930s cars to modern classics. There are cars from the 70,80s and 90s. It is probably 30% vintage and 70% classics,” added Bill McDonald.

The 2026 route begins at McDiarmid Park, Perth before passing through rural Perthshire along the banks of Loch Tay before reaching Glencoe where lunch will be served at the Isle of Glencoe Hotel.

The return route moves south through Appin to Connel Bridge and then east through Tyanuilt and Lochawe to Tyndrum and Loch Earn before cars arrive at Crieff Hydro for the Dinner at 5.30pm.

To enter or find out more, visit: www.perthrotary.co.uk