Enthusiasts heading to Brechin for annual motorcycle festival

Bikers will meet in the Angus town before heading off on a 40-mile ride-out

Harley Davidson enthusiasts from all over Britain are expected in Brechin today for a festival celebrating the Angus link to the motorcycle company.

However, cameras from BBC’s The One Show will not be capturing all the excitement as they pulled out of filming a report from the festival.

The grandparents of the Davidsons who co-founded Harley Davidson lived at Netherton of Aberlemno, only a few miles from Brechin.

Bikers will hold a ride out from Brechin Castle at noon today on a 40-mile route that will take in Edzell, Memus and Forfar before travelling on to Aberlemno and the Davidson cottage.

There will be a variety of attractions in the town’s High Street including a fun fair, live music and stalls.

Brechin Town House Museum will stage a children’s disco with an 80s theme to remember the Flicks nightclub from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

Organiser Bill Sturrock said: “This year we have attracted a bumper level of traders coming from as far away as Cornwall and Ireland. We also have a wide selection of food vendors catering to all tastes.

“There is a funfair for kids and a disco for children in the Town House Museum in the afternoon.

“We have a guy who is coming from Penzance on his Harley for the festival and we have a couple of guys flying from America who are hiring bikes in Edinburgh to do the event. It is on their bucket list apparently.”

In anticipation of thousands of visitors, a park and ride scheme has been set up with the Caledonian Railway at Bridge of Dun.

Angus Transport Group is providing a free bus link from Montrose Railway Station to Bridge of Dun.

“I would encourage folk to come along. You will see a massive selection of Harleys and other makes of bikes. We have a display in the city hall of classic bikes,” added Bill.

“There are all sorts of things on the go to please everyone. It is a real family day out. It’s not just for bike enthusiasts.”

It is a real family day out. It’s not just for bike enthusiasts

Paul Smith. Pictures: Above: Festival organisers and Angus Council leaders at a civic reception in Brechin. Right: Bill Sturrock on a vintage Harley-Davidson motorbike.