We thought we would use an old route from the archives, (large storage box) to save time and resources. We found a Route Book to Glen Clova from 2006. We had planned this with Dougie and Isobel Campbell. A day to check the route was planned. Nice and easy, or so we thought.
The start and finish points in 2006 had now been replaced with a M&S food store, so we had to make other arrangements. Gloagburn seemed a good choice in the past so we left from there. Between Gloagburn and Glen Clova there were two road closures. We expected some changes to the route book that was printed nearly twenty years ago.
We had lunch when we got to The Glen Clova Hotel, made a few notes and Davie changed the route when we got home after checking Perth and Kinross and Angus Council websites for road closures.
Two weeks before the date of the September run we thought we would check the route. We couldn’t believe it, two more road closures and a further road closure in two days time and that would be closed for ten weeks!
We returned home and again referred to both councils websites and planned a third route and then returned the very same week to check the route again! Finally, we were happy, and it was actually a much nicer scenic route.
On the day of the run just before Blairgowrie there was yet another road closure. We couldn’t believe it. So it was either take the diversion and drive 15 miles extra onto the days mileage or find your own way to Glen Clova. The road works as you left Blairgowrie were delayed so the road was still diverted around the village. Even on our way to the hotel there were so many yellow diversion signs I wondered if anyone would make it to the hotel in time. By some miracle all fifteen cars made it.
On a positive note, the drive once we got to Glen Clova was lovely and the road surfaces were good. The food was good as was the company and the return route to Perth went without a hitch.
Thankfully, there isn’t a complaints department in the Caley Centre. In the twenty or more years of planning routes in Scotland we have never had so much problems with roads closed or the numerous diversion signs in an area. So our ‘nice and easy’ plan didn’t quite work out this time.
Thanks to all Members that braved the Diversions.
Jackie reid
Katie Moffet
Had a lovely MG Car Run yesterday up to Glen Clova Hotel, Kirriemuir some pics below.
Next run in October I’ll post a link shortly if anyone would like to join us it would be lovely to see you all with your MGs.
Leslie Duncan
So sorry I could not make it. Tyre problem with my car
