2025 MGA Day Review
The date was 18th May 2025 and the whole day was dry and mainly sunny. This is the first completely dry Scottish MGA Day since we took over the organisation of the event in 2018. It is also the first time it has been run in late May rather than July/August. Perhaps this will continue.
The first seven cars met at the Blair Drummond Smiddy Farm shop and Café. The mix included one white Coupe, four ‘normal’ Roadster and a ‘Speedster’ Roadster all in red, and finally an MGB V8. The MGB was unusually allowed to participate as the owners were on holiday in the area and do have an MGA back home in Lancashire.
We firstly headed East through Doune and Braco before heading north over the high moorland single track road to Comrie. We then headed West and shortly we were joined by yet another Red Roadster. Are there any Roadster that aren’t Red? From St Fillans we drove along the North shore of Loch Earn passing a previous lunch venue before heading North again to Killin. As we entered the village we crossed the River Tay at the normally impressive Falls of Dochart which were rather drier than normal.
From Killin we headed East on the North side of Loch Tay. Now getting bored with ‘A’ roads we headed North on the Ben Lawers road between Ben Lawers and The Ptarmigan Ridge. After passing the hydro electric dam we dropped down, having a few interesting manoeuvres to pass on coming vehicles, before arriving in Glen Lyon at the Bridge of Balgie. Glen Lyon is regarded as one of the most attractive glens in the country.
As we left the glen we came to the attractive village of Fortingall BUT unfortunately this Spring there had been a fire that destroyed (read More >>) the thatch roofs of 5 of the cottages. In the church yard adjacent to the Fortingall Hotel is the famous historical ‘Fortingall Yew‘ which may be up to 9000 years old, see Wikipedia>> for full information.
The hotel, our lunch venue, is in the process of reopening following a change of ownership and that morning they had had a panic when the chef walked out. But despite this they had found another chef and then served us a truly excellent 2/3 course lunch. Because of this confusion we departed too late to make our final stop BUT rather than finishing in a tourist café, we had a longer than planned ‘natter’ in a private elegant dining room. This was far preferable as the fine weather made the Sunday afternoon roads very busy.
When we eventually left the hotel we drove back down to Loch Tay and round its Easterly end at Kenmore complete with its busy sandy beach and a General Wade bridge. The General Wade extensive road system was built following the Bonnie Prince Charlie led Jacobite Rising to keep the Highlanders in control.
From the end of the Loch, as the main road follows the valley to the left, we headed straight up the valley side. This is the most vicious bit of road I know in Scotland. It is very steep, narrow with minimal passing places, and includes no less than 6 hairpins.
The drive then continued over high moorland before the steep descent, with another 2 hairpins, into Glen Quaich. From there the drive to the planned destination of Crieff via the Sma Glen is straightforward. We had intended to have tea/Coffee at the Visitor Centre’s Café in Crieff but it was, as expected, well closed when we arrived due to the extended lunch break.
Paul and Jean Dean
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