A Classic Tour of Discovery

The Scottish Malts Classic Car Tour has for several years been run in association with the Scottish Malts Classic Reliability Trial normally held in May each year. For 2009 HERO has decided that entrants in the Classic Car Tour would be better served if the events were run at separate times. This would seem to be even more significant in 2009 as there is to be a year long program of events in Scotland entitled �The Homecoming�

The HERO Scottish Malts Classic Car Tour of Scotland will take place between 13^th and the 19^th September 2009 and is intended for cars built before 31^st December 1985 (although newer cars of special interest or rarity will be considered). The event is not a competition but is intended for those of you looking for a motoring holiday with a difference. Each night will be spent at a different location and you will be provided with a detailed map book showing the suggested route for the day. Route and tour notes will also be provided to allow you to navigate to the suggested stops with confidence.

At places of interest, coffee halts and lunch there will be a checkpoint where you can have your tour card signed. These are not mandatory but will dictate whether you get a Red or Blue Riband finisher�s medal. You can travel with other members on the tour or follow your own route and time schedule. Whatever you choose, the Tour Marshal will provide useful information and suggestions, and will help you work out a route if you decide to deviate to see a point of specific interest.

The event is primarily a Touring Assembly and so you can expect to travel between 150 and 175 miles a day, but at a leisurely pace. The roads we use are not congested and whilst many are narrow or winding, you will not find the schedule too demanding.

The Scottish Malts Classic Car Tour and its sister event the reliability trail have always been closely associated with one of Scotland�s most famous exports - whisky. The 2009 tour will be no exception and the event will provide you with plenty of opportunity to visit distilleries. Some may be well known to you, but others will not. The route will take you to the smallest distillery in Scotland and if time allows the oldest and the highest. Speyside has the greatest concentration of distilleries but also boasts a number off interesting locations associated with whisky such as the cooperage and a distillery which is now a museum to the process of turning grain and water into whisky.

You will have a chance to tour some of distilleries and to purchase rare and lesser know brands. Of course no trip to Scotland could be complete without a chance to learn more about whisky. Not only will you be able to meet and talk with knowledgeable people at the distilleries but HERO plan to ensure your evenings are catered for with talks and introductions to Malt whisky.

The hotels HERO plan to use on the Scottish Malts Classic Car Tour have been selected not because of their star rating or their size, or if they have a swimming pool, but for their character, reputation, comfort and service. Each hotel is being carefully vetted and only when we are satisfied that you will feel at home will they be selected for your use. At each hotel you will be able to enjoy the good food and hospitality that Scotland is famous for.

Scotland is also famous for its castles and stately homes, and there will be opportunities to visit some of the finest to be seen anywhere in the world. Not forgetting of course sites of historical significance where landmark events in Scotland�s past took place.

There will also be opportunities to shop for brands and goods unique to Scotland.

Your visit to Scotland would not be complete without experiencing the haunting and evocative sound of bagpipes and you can be assured that at some time during the tour you will be greeted by a piper in full highland regalia.

HERO wants you to experience what small country hotels in Scotland can offer. This does mean that we have to limit the number on the tour. This has the added bonus of ensuring the event is more personal and you can be sure that no one will feel left out of any of our activities. To achieve this HERO is limiting the places on the Scottish Malts Classic Car Tour to a maximum of 20 cars. To learn more about the tour download a brochure and entry details or contact HERO today.