The Flying Scotsman on an all-new route in 2015

The 7th Flying Scotsman Rally takes our most northern route to date, starting from Oulton Hall Hotel early on Friday morning with the goal of reaching Gleneagles resort on Sunday afternoon.

Day 1 - Leeds to Newcastle

Leaving Oulton Hall the route heads north for a test section followed by a gravel regularity run through private parkland before a run through the lanes north via the Aldwark Toll Bridge to a coffee halt at the Aldwark Manor Hotel.

The route then heads east past the historic Ampleforth Abbey and College before turning north again to cross the North York Moors. We enter the Moors via the village of Hutton-le-Hole before going down the 1:3 hill at Rosedale Chimney, past Rosedale Abbey and up the 1:4 incline away from the village, a stiff test for the oldest cars in the field.

The morning section closes with a Passage Control in Goathland, at the garage made famous as ‘Scripps Garage’ in the TV series Heartbeat and on into Whitby for a Fish and Chip lunch at the Quayside Restaurant. Cars will be parked on Endeavour Wharf thanks to the co-operation of Whitby Council.

After a well-earned lunch the route heads west continuing our tour of the Moors, finishing at Kildale Moor, through Stokesley to Croft on Tees. Our final regularity section of the day takes place near Consett then the route skirts the Newcastle area, avoiding the A1 before reaching our overnight halt north of Newcastle.

Day 2 - Newcastle to Edinburgh

The second day sees the event continue its relentless push north taking to the lanes to the west of the A1, avoiding the main routes where possible. Because of a long standing road closure the route goes via Longframlington, North and South Charlton and Chillingham to a coffee halt at the Percy Arms in Chatton, recently refurbished and looking forward to the display of pre-war cars.

The original route plan was to go via Holy Island but the tides were against us this year so instead we turn west and take a lovely tour of the almost traffic free roads between Ford and Kelso, crossing into Scotland as we head to the lunch halt at the beautiful Roxburghe Hotel.

From Kelso we head north east again taking in the wonderful roads in this border area before a short stop at the world famous Jim Clark Rooms in Duns, a chance to pay homage to a real driving hero and drink a last cup of coffee before the final run in to Edinburgh.

Before we reach Edinburgh, we take a drive through some of the roads recently made famous by the Jim Clark Rally and even use one of the famous stages at Abbey St Bathans, not as a full speed closed road special stage this time but as a gentle regularity constant speed section.

Saturday evening will see crews relaxing in the hotel near Edinburgh as they get ready for the final day of the event.

Day 3 - Edinburgh to Gleneagles

After two very early 7am, starts crews can enjoy something of a lie-in with the final day due to start at 08:00 for the leaders. The route heads north over the Forth Road Bridge via Blairdam Forest and into the wonderful lanes south west of Perth.

After exploring these superb roads the route heads to coffee at Scone Palace, a great setting for the final morning and a great photo backdrop for the collection of some of the world’s great cars. From Scone the route heads east into new territory for the event ending near Aberny before a final lunch stop at the splendid Ballathie Country House on the banks of the River Tay.

The final afternoon run takes crews via Little Glenshee and Methven to the event finish at the world famous Gleneagles Hotel. Once again all the crews who have made it to the finish will be piped across the line before relaxing at the gala prize giving dinner later that evening.

Three days, nearly 750 miles in a pre-war car… what an adventure!