Border Telegraph

Historic castle will again form backdrop for motoring event

- By Paul Kelly

AN historic castle will once again form the backdrop for a muchloved vintage car rally when it pulls into Berwickshi­re this summer.

Last year’s BVAC Classic Festival of Motoring at Thirlestan­e Castle in Lauder attracted more than 10,000 visitors.

Now organisers are hopeful that this year’s gathering – on Sunday, June 2 – will be even more successful after it received valuable funding support from EventScotl­and, part of VisitScotl­and’s Events Directorat­e.

For more than half a century, classic car owners and visitors alike have been making the journey to the Borders to enjoy one of the best classic car events in the country.

As well as recognisin­g the major contributi­on that this annual event makes to the cultural landscape of the region, the support from EventScotl­and will be used to grow awareness of the event and to attract new audiences.

The BVAC Classic Festival of Motoring is proud to be ranked as one of the premier events in the area, attracting more than 10,000 people over the weekend in June last year, thereby making a substantia­l contributi­on to the local economy.

It is hoped that this support from EventScotl­and will enable the club to attract even greater numbers of visitors and from further afield.

BVAC Chairman Keith Watson said: “We are delighted to have received this support from EventScotl­and and as a result we hope that this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever.

“The BVAC Classic Festival of Motoring is a firm favourite on the events calendar, set within the picturesqu­e grounds of historic Thirlestan­e Castle.

“Our event provides the perfect opportunit­y for a great family day out in stunning scenery of the Scottish Borders and brings a valuable boost to the local visitor economy.”

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScot

land director of events, said: “EventScotl­and is delighted to be supporting the BVAC Classic Festival of Motoring through our National Funding Programme.

“The historic setting of Thirlestan­e Castle will provide the perfect stage for this celebratio­n of vintage cars and I am sure visitors will receive a warm Borders wel

come to the area.

“EventScotl­and is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events by securing and supporting an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events.

“It provides funding opportunit­ies and access to resources and informatio­n to develop the industry.”

 ?? Photo: Douglas Hardie ?? The BVAC Classic Festival of Motoring in 2023.
Photo: Douglas Hardie The BVAC Classic Festival of Motoring in 2023.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom