The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Showstopping convoy pays tribute to air force
RAF Benevolent Fund gathering held at Broomhall House
A convoy of 100 supercars and classic motors crossed the Forth Road Bridge into Fife to mark 100 years of the RAF.
The showstopping vehicles, including a Bugatti Veyron, Lamborghini Countach and McLaren 675LT, and their drivers, gathered at Broomhall House, near Charlestown, for a celebration in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund.
Hosted by Lord Charles Bruce and his father, Andrew Bruce, the 11th Earl of Elgin, guests included RAF veteran Arthur Reid, who flew with Bomber Command during the Second World War.
With the fleet of cars parked round the lawn of the house, the party was treated to a flypast by a Tiger Moth and a static display of a Spitfire.
Baz Dale, area director of the benevolent fund, said: “It was an incredible sight to see all of these beautiful cars, vintage and modern supercar models, form a convoy over one of the most recognisable bridges in the British Isles, especially with the pipes and drums providing a very Scottish soundtrack.
“The RAF’s centenary celebrations are a great opportunity for the RAF Benevolent Fund to spread the word about the vital work we do supporting RAF personnel, past and present, and their families.”
The area has special significance for the RAF as the first air raid of the Second World War was on nearby Rosyth naval base, when Spitfires of the City of Edinburgh squadron shot down the first German aircraft of the conflict.
However, the Earl, who was wounded in action at the Normandy Breakout in 1944, has a different account of who took down the aircraft, which he watched approaching from over the Forth as a 15-year-old boy with his father, the 10th Earl and Lord Lieutenant of Fife.
He said: “He shouted at me ‘fetch the rifle’. I went to the gun room and got the deerstalking rifle and loaded it.
“As I was running out to meet him there was another German aircraft went by and the Lord Lieutenant of Fife fired at it.
“The aircraft crash landed and the RAF claimed they had shot it down – but it was the Lord Lieutenant of Fife.”
Saturday’s event, organised by Mark Ryan, of Driving Scotland, was part of a weekend of activities which included a black-tie gala dinner and charity auction and racing at Knockhill.
Lord Bruce said: “Broomhall House is very proud to host this RAF Benevolent Fund event, which recognises and supports the wonderful RAF personnel, past and present.”