2025 Tour of The Scottish Borders – Review
Tuesday 6 to Friday 9 May 
….Coming from Yorkshire, we chose Carlisle as our starting point, meeting up at Dobbies Garden Centre with the other southern entrants (the northern entrants were to start from Dobbies Garden Centre Dunfermline). Being first to arrive, with no other MGs in the car park, both driver and satnav had a few senior moments (had we arrived at the correct starting point?), but then the green TF 135 belonging to Mike and Lizzie Pelling arrived – relief! We signed on, goodie bags, route books and rally plaques were handed out, and we headed into the May sunshine to start our adventure.
….Our base for the next three days was to be the Peebles Hydro Hotel, and our scenic 90-plus mile route would take us through Gretna, on through Liddesdale and close to the edge of Ettrick Forest – we were in Scotland!
….The route book was excellent, giving the navigator time to help the driver spot the potholes hidden under the shade of the overhanging trees! Both Carlisle and Dunfermline starters finished their runs simultaneously at the Hydro Hotel – a total of 31 varied MG models, ranging from a 1930’s PA through to the latest MG3 hybrids.
….There was time to relax in the sunshine, have a drink and chat with our fellow participants, before retiring to our rooms prior to our evening meal. The hotel staff had set eight tables for our group in the dining room, so we were able to ‘mix and match’ with our fellow travellers (the Marque of Friendship), and to enjoy three courses from the varied menu choices.
….After breakfast on Day Two, we set off on the scenic route to Duns, taking us through Innerleithen, where the road divides the golf course. So, keeping a lookout for flying golf balls, and cyclists, we entered Heriot, heading towards Gilston and passing Soutra Aisle, which was a hospital for travellers and the needy from the 12th to the 17th century. Now in Midlothian, we continued on the B6368 into East Lothian – where we found that the road to Duns was closed! However, the diversion signs took us to our destination, the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum.
….Jim Clark’s life story was very interesting, but somewhat poignant; it made one realise just how far motor sport safety has advanced.
….Leaving Duns for our return journey to Peebles, we crossed Gavinton Ford, followed the signs for Fogo, and on through Greenlaw to Hume, passing Hume Castle on the left. Then on through Smailholm, where the Eildon Hills lie straight ahead, and within 4½ miles we were passing ‘Scotts View’, reputed to be one of the favourite views of Sir Walter Scott. Passing through Bemersyde and Clintmains and over the River Tweed, we then drove alongside the river on the last stretch of Day Two, back to our hotel.
….Our final run on Day Three was to the town of Moffat and return. We left Peebles and headed to the little village of Eddleston, where we turned along narrow twisty roads, passing Dawyck Botanic Gardens and through Drumelzier, making a left turn towards St Mary’s Loch and crossing over the dam wall of the Talla Reservoir.
….Some three miles along the road we came to Talla Linn, a famous 1:5 climb much used on rallies and competitions. No problem for a V8, but we had to stop several times to allow motorcycles go on their downward journey – never at a passing place
….The road took us past the Meggett Reservoir, through tiny Cappercleuch, and entering Dumfries & Galloway came to the Samye Ling Monastery, an international centre of Buddhist training. Our planned stop for refreshments there had to be postponed, as the café was closed. Fortunately. the Old School Hub & Café was only another mile down the road!
….After successfully reaching the final destination, the Edinburgh Woollen Mill in Moffat, we started the return drive to Peebles, back through Tweedsmuir to the Hydro Hotel. Before our farewell dinner, participants were assembled for a group photo, together with the oldest (1934) and youngest (1924) MGs on the event.
….The changing colours of the landscape, and glorious sunshine on all three days, made it a very memorable tour of the Scottish Borders, and on behalf of all the participants, many thanks to Mike and Lizzie Pelling for their time and effort in organising a very successful event.
Authors: David & Carol Copeman (Yorkshire Centre)
