EXHIBITION LAYS OUT PLAN FOR £25M MOTORSPORT HERITAGE CENTRE
Acharitable Trust is to be formed to push forward plans for a £25 million Scottish motorsport heritage centre at the historic Rest and Be Thankful hillclimb and rally stage in Argyll.
The ambitious plan would see an underground centre built into the hillside at the road’s hairpin to display cars and pay tribute to Scotland’s wealth of motorsport talent -– past and present.
A steering group has been guiding the plans for the multi-million-pound project, which would involve digging out hundreds of tonnes of rock, and has now opened an exhibition for the public to view and give their opinions on the scheme.
The project is the brainchild of Douglas Anderson, the Dundee man responsible for the return of the Monte Carlo Rallyto scotland over recent years.
His vision is that the centre, set within the dramatic hillside, would breathe new life into the popular stopping place and bring tourism spend and jobs to local communities as wellasacknowledgetherestas oneofthemostimportantmotorsport locations in Scotland.
“The location of the proposed building at Rest and Be Thankful, has great significance in motorsport terms because of the famous hill climb races and international rallies,” said Mr Anderson.
“It was seen as the ultimate test for drivers in many ways because of the steepness and conditions and many gr eats like jackie stewart raced there. It is therefore the ideal place to celebrate Scotland’s impressive motorsport heritage.
“The idea is to mark that connection within a permanent exhibition space but the project itself is much more than that. The building would be a multiuse facility which could be used by the local community for film, business and cultural events and there would also be retail and a restaurant area.”
The proposed building has been designed by awardwinning architects Kennedy Twaddle Architectural Design to utilise the stunning vista at the summit of the glen.
The concept has already been given the backing of F1 world champion Sir Jackie Stewart, multiple British Touring Car Champion John Cleland and veteran Scottish rally driver Jimmy Mcrae. The former British Rally Champion and father of World Champion Colin and his brother Alister said it would be a fantastic attraction and tribute to Scotland’s place in international motorsport.
Jimmy, who still holds the record for the fastest run down the Rest and Be Thankful Rally stage, said: “The Rest is known around the world as one of the classic rally stages and is renowned by drivers and motorsport enthusiasts alike. This project is a tremendous initiative which would acknowledge the important part Scotland has played in international motorsport over many years.”
Discussions with officials from Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Visitscotland, Transport Scotland, MSPS and local politicians are said to have been positive.
Councillor Aileen Morton, leader of Argyll and Bute Council said: “This is a really innovative idea; a visitor centre taking in the stunning scenery of the Rest and Be Thankful would surely be very popular. We would welcome the additional tourists the attraction would bring into the area.”
The exhibition of the plans and a scale model of the centre will be at the Lighthouse arts and architectural centre in Glasgow for the next two months.