The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Motorbikes thunder in to north
Motorbikes: Event ‘generates £15million’
A record 4,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles from all corners of the globe roared through the Highlands for the annual Thunder in the Glens extravaganza.
A record 4,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles from all corners of the globe roared through the Highlands at the weekend for the annual Thunder in the Glens extravaganza.
The gathering, which features an organised ride through some of the area’s stunning scenery, marked its 20th anniversary.
Estimates suggest this year’s event will reap £15million for the local economy, in particular benefiting tourism businesses including hotels and restaurants from Newtonmore to Grantown in Badenoch and Strathspey.
Organiser George “Mad Dog” McGuire of the Dunedin Chapter of the Harley Owners’ Group said: “What people have talked about is the crowds that are now coming out to see the event – and the ride through Grantown to goup around Lochindorb, they say, was just amazing.
“The weather has held and has been great for us. The entertainment this year has been fantastic and people have mixed and got involved in the whole event.
“We reckon the event makes between £10million and £15million for the local economy. It’s not just three days.
“A lot of people come up here for a week and longer, travelling round. We’ve had about 5,000 people registered and it’s not just them.”
The weekend was backed by a £10,000 grant from government agency Event Scotland.
Mr McGuire also thanked the Macdonald resort in Aviemore who allow free access to the area while other venues further south charge for such facilities.
“We’re the envy of Europe for this event and the facilities,” Mr McGuire added.
“We’re asked each year how we can top the event next time. That’s simply a challenge. We’ll go away and work on that and we’ll top it next year.
“We’d like to thank the people of the area who always make the bikers welcome.”
Local councillor Jaci Douglas, who helped out with marshalling duties for part of the weekend, said: “It is an absolutely fantastic event. It’s really well organised. The Harley fraternity are so friendly.
“It brings such a great buzz and a vibrancy to the area.
“The square in Grantown was hopping with people, there were stalls, there was music. We just welcome them every single year.”
Things kicked off with a Friday night gig by Scots rockers Big Country.
The event’s chosen charity this year was Angels Wings.
“We’re asked each year how we can top the event next time”