ONE of Europe’s biggest motorcycle rallies – Thunder in the Glens (TITG) – is being recognised in its 20th anniversary year for its contribution to raising Scotland’s profile and attracting more visitors.
EventScotland, which delivers events in the tourism and business sectors, has awarded the rally £10,000 to help it grow even further.
Last year saw more than 2,000 bikes – the majority Harley-Davidsons – and thousands more visitors descend on Aviemore and its environs over the August Bank Holiday weekend for the three-day event.
Rally coordinator George McGuire will ride to Aviemore today with Willie Newall, host of the Dunedin Chapter of the Harley-Davidson Owners’ Group (HOG), which organises the event. McGuire has been coordinator since 2004, and says he’s delighted with the EventScotland award.
He told The National: “The money will be used to attract bigger named bands to the event, upgrade and renew event signage and to improve some other aspects of the rally.
“It will also give us greater publicity and we are delighted to have been selected and recognised by them for funding. It certainly gives greater credence to the rally to be recognised by a national body.”
McGuire will be meeting local businesses in Aviemore, offering them advertising and trying to secure more sponsorship for the rally.
“As you know, accommodation in Aviemore is at a premium so we are keen to work with outlying areas such as Kingussie and Grantown on Spey to promote accommodation here during the rally.
“We are working with Highland Regional Council with a view to laying on shuttle bus services to these areas, to transport rally-goers back and forth to Aviemore on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night if demand is there.
“Where this will lead to in the future is anyone’s guess, but it does conjure up exciting prospects and possibilities. Any progress here would be dependent on support and input from the local communities.”
The main event for the two riders will be a visit to the Speyside Distillery in Kingussie, which is already a supporter of TITG. “They are producing a 20-year-old Spey malt whisky to commemorate the 20th TITG rally,” said McGuire. “We will be selecting the cask from which the whisky will be taken to produce the malt. This will be a limited production, but it will be available for general sale.
“It’s being done in conjunction with the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival – running this weekend.”
McGuire added: “The Speyside Distillery is a big supporter and promoter of TITG and we see this as a mutual working partnership beneficial to both parties.”
Three days after registration opened for this year’s event more than 1,000 people had signed up, and McGuire said it looked as if it could be a record year.
“We can usually accept up to 3,000 registrations but there are thousands more people who simply turn up for the weekend,” he said.
“VisitScotland have told us there are 12,000 beds in Aviemore and Badenoch and Strathspey and most of these are filled for the weekend of TITG.”
Among the headline acts this year are Big Country and RPJ – Rick Parfitt Jnr – which was formed by the legendary Status Quo rocker’s son.
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “We are delighted to support Thunder in the Glens in this landmark year, an event which will attract visitors from all over the world to the Scottish Highlands.
“With some of our finest scenery and best-loved routes for motorcycle enthusiasts, plus a superb programme of additional activity during the rally, it is an occasion not to be missed.”
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