Club members are planning an unusual spectacle by organising a 68-mile motorcycle trip for members and enthusiasts around the banks of Loch Ness to raise cash for charity.

The event, which is taking place on Saturday, May 24, is being held in aid of two charities: Chest, Heart and Stroke and the Macmillan Cancer Support group. The event will mark the Inverness-based club's Silver Jubilee which is due to take place on May 28 this year.

Spokesman, Forres man Neil Ellison, who is a past chairman of the group, said they had chosen the two charities, with past members in mind. He is also planning to raise the game by doing the whole event on a NVT 50 Cc Moped.

"I do have a classic BMW at home," he said, "but as it is for charity and our Silver Jubilee, I accepted a challenge to do the event on the smallest bike I had, which happens to be the Moped. It is going to be a long day."

The Highland Classic Motorcycle Club which has around 80 members at the moment, was originally formed in May 1983.

The aim was to provide a regular get-together for enthusiasts who shared a common interest in older British, European and American motorcycles. Mr Ellison said that by 1986, and with more people coming forward, this criteria had changed to include Japanese motorcycles which were more than 20 years old. The club boomed and this was later amended to included all motorcycles 15 years old oe more.

"Our aim is to cater for all interests and aspects of road motorcycling," he said, "from restorations to general care and maintenance, and general road riding."

He said members could join if they had an interest in motorcycles, from veteran and classic models, to modern classics which were more than 15 years old. The club also aimed to encourage and promote the use of older motorcycles.

There is a wide age range among members, but all share a love of motorcycles, bringing a wide range of biking knowledge and experience as the common denominator.

They come from as far field as Tain, Portree, Grantown, Elgin and Banff, with some members residing in Edinburgh, the Midlands and Wales. Annual membership fees cost £8 for a full annual subscription and £2 for associated annual subscription, renewable on August 1 every year.

The history of the club was charted in a special booklet which was produced for the club's 20th anniversary, and revealed interesting details about the club's humble beginnings in 1983 with Bob Fraser and Alastair Alexander, the first Loch Ness Rally, and much more, right up to May 2003. Some copies are still available from committee member, Mrs Sue Noble, who produced the booklet.

Predecessors to the Highland Classic Motorcycle Club - the Inverness Motorcycle Club - pose on range of machines, including BSAs and Triumphs, during an outing near Inverness in 1924.

Monthly meetings are held at the Chieftain Hotel, Milburn Road in Inverness, on the first Tuesday of each month starting at 8 pm from February to December.

"These meeting can include discussions, films, guest speakers and the occasional quiz, plus the company of other bikers," said Mr Ellison. "There is also the chance to discuss old motorcycles with people who are interested and willing to exchange information and ideas."

He added that there were also various social events organised throughout the year, to which family and friends were invited, such as treasure hunts, ten pin bowling evenings, barbecues and other get togethers.

There are also regular club runs which usually take place on the last Sunday of the month, from April to November. They cover about 40 to 100 miles and leave from three different starting points, depending on the route to be taken. This is usually Inverness Castle, the National Hotel at Dingwall and the harbour at Nairn However, the Loch Ness Rally is the real show piece of the club and takes place on the second Sunday in June at the Loch Ness House Hotel in Inverness, incorporating a country run of about 75 miles in the Loch Ness area.

"There are concourse categories from Veteran to Modern Classic," said Mr Ellison, "as well as club trophy awards, a cash prize raffle and other small prizes."

He said that anyone who wanted could also choose to enjoy a meal at the hotel after the run. The rally is usually well attended with around 100 entries and a wide range of machines on show.

The club produces a bi-monthly club newsletter called "The Helmet and Goggles" which features an annual calendar of local events and information about forthcoming national events. The club also offers access to an extensive library of workshop manuals, held by fellow members.

Membership also includes automatic membership of The British Motorcycle Federation and the Scottish Vintage Vehicle Federation.

Further information from the website at www.highlandclassicmotorcycleclub.org.uk

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