Hairy Bikers on Harleys in the Highlands
It can only be Thunder in the Glens
CAN you hear it? In the distance? It sounds like thunder. In the glens. More than 5,000 bikers are currently roaring their way through the Highlands in the wonderfully named Thunder in the Glens rally.
Now in its 20th year, the threeday event – which ends today – has finally gone mainstream and boasts a record numbers of bikers.
As he prepared to lead a mass ride-out of bikers from Aviemore to Grantown-on-Spey yesterday afternoon – the highlight of the rally –co-ordinator George “Mad Dog” McGuire told the Sunday Herald that Thunder in the Glens is “unparalleled” in size and is the biggest event of its kind in Europe,
A veteran of the rally, McGuire, who attended his first Thunder in the Glens in 1998, said the sight of the bikers blasting off en masse through the Highlands and roaring through the scenic surroundings was breathtaking.
“It’s amazing and it leaves a big lump in my throat. I have to fight back the tears,” he said as thousands of Harley Davidson owners revved-up their engines, while a 1,000-strong crowd cheered.
McGuire added: “I’m passionate about it, it’s a great event for Scotland with people of all ages and there’s great camaraderie.”
The annual pilgrimage for Harley-Davidson owners and fans from across the world is organised by the Dunedin Chapter of Harley Owners Group (HOG). Scottish band Big Country launched proceedings on Friday night.
McGuire said: “The whole thing has blown us away and it’s the biggest on record for us. The fact it’s the 20th anniversary means there are lots of people here who were on the first and early ones.
“It’s brought home just what a unique and fantastic event it is.
“Last year, we had around 2,500 people, so 5,000 is beyond what anyone was expecting.
“In recent years we’ve noticed lots of bikers’ families come along, and this time a lot of the bikers’ kids’ friends seem to be here too.”
McGuire said this year’s event was worth up to £14 million to the economy of the Highlands – around £4m higher than the usual annual benefit –due to the higher-than-expected attendance.
Bikers taking part in yesterday’s ride-out – which took in the Cairngorms and stunned tourists with its noisy display – said the numbers attending the rally had surged since the the early years of the event, when it started out with just a few hundred diehards.
Douglas Milne, 57, a building contractor from Stonehaven, who was on the first Thunder in the Glens rally 20 years ago, said: “There are people who you don’t see all year and then you see them here and it’s like it was just yesterday.
“It’s great company at the rally – the ride-off makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.”
Sandy Scott, 71, a retired medical sales representative from Blairgowrie, is road captain for the rally and rode at the head of the bikers as they left Aviemore.
He said: “It’s chaotic and fiery with all the bikes and always buzzing. It’s brilliant for everyone as the atmosphere is electric and you get people from all over UK and Europe, and lots of families.”
There are people who you don’t see all year and then you see them here and it’s like it was just yesterday. It’s great company at the rally – the ride-off makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up