From John O’Groats to Monte Carlo… The classics set off on their memorable journey.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHS – BY SUSIE MACKENZIE/SDM PHOTOGRAPHY
January 29th 2026:
Almost 50 classic and historic cars have set off from the windswept northern tip of Scotland for a memorable 1500-mile drive to the South of France.
The teams, from around the UK, Europe and the United States, are taking part in the Monte Carlo Classique/Historique Rally which is marking the centenary of the John O’ Groats start when a group of intrepid adventurers drove to Monte Carlo to establish what has become one of the world’s iconic motorsport events.
A century on their modern counterparts are replicating their achievement in a range of cars, some of which date back to the early years.
They include a 1952 Sunbeam Talbot, owned by a couple from California, which was driven by Stirling Moss in the 1953 Monte Carlo Rally and bears the original competition plate and a 1934 Lagonda which has been driven north from the south of England to take part. There’s also a range of more modern classics including Minis, MGBs, Ford Escorts and names from the past including Triumph Herald, Sunbeam Alpine, Austin Healey Sprite, Riley and Hillman Imp.
The event has been run several times in recent years with a variety of Scottish starts including Paisley, Glasgow and Clydebank but for this year’s major milestone in the history of the event there’s a welcome return to the traditional John O’Groats start.
From the north, the crews were heading south through Inverness and Glencoe on Thursday 29th January before joining a ‘Monte Fest’ on Thursday afternoon in front of Stirling Castle – floodlit in red and with spectators having the chance to mingle with the competitiors and their cars.
After an overnight stop at North Queensferry, on Friday 30th January the crews will be heading through the Scottish borders and on to Hull for the overnight ferry to Rotterdam and their final destination in Monaco.
For more information:
Douglas Anderson, event co-ordinator 01382 731755 dglanderson1@yahoo.co.uk
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