Ayr, Scotland (June 2025)
A Tale of Scooters, Camaraderie, and Scottish Spirit
The anticipation had been building for months since the 2024 Euro in Magny-Cours, France. The prospect of attending another Euro Lambretta —a gathering that stirs the souls of Lambretta enthusiasts across the European region and beyond — was enough to carry us through the routine of our daily lives over the past year. This year’s edition, in Ayr, on Scotland’s South West Coast, promised more than just a rally; it was to be a celebration of Scottish culture, on top of the usual shenanigans involved among friendships without frontiers and everlasting fascination with all things Lambretta. Plus, who could resist the allure of haggis and bagpipes?
Journeying to the UK and Ayr
Two weeks prior to the Euro Lambretta, Steve and I embarked on an epic journey from Sydney, Australia to Poole, in Dorset, England. Our trip took a marathon 44 hours door to door, including a long layover in Singapore (where we practically set up camp), and around 23 hours of inflight yoga (or at least that’s what it felt like). After collecting a rental car at Heathrow and a final 2 hour drive, stopping only for desperate need of caffeine, chocolate and a bathroom, we finally arrived in Poole. This was to be our base for the next week, spent catching up with family and friends, battling jetlag and recovering from our odyssey. Oh, and we also had to visit Dorchester to get Steve’s Lambretta out of storage and ready for our trip to Ayr – twice – after discovering a new exhaust was needed. Because why not add a little more excitement to our lives? Thankfully, Scootopia obliged with a quick delivery, in time for us to set off for Ayr.
On Sunday 22nd June, we set off northbound with friends from the Dorset Modrapheniacs. Our party (deliberate choice of word there) consisted of 9 people, travelling on 6 Lambrettas, and in 2 vehicles including the all-important back-up van (just in case). For the next 5 days and 4 nights, we managed easy daily distances ranging from 200 to 65 miles. Once again thankful that Steve’s been able to keep his trusty Serveta LI 150 Special stored in the UK for when we visit, like last year, I was a little envious about not being able to ride myself. Though this year, instead of being pillion in the back up van, I took on a new role to lead the convoy (helped by my GPS), and like a mother duck with her little ducklings following behind in a row, we made our way up north – only one wrong turn exiting a roundabout prematurely, resulting in a hilarious group U-turn to get us back on track.
Stopping regularly for refuelling and rest (butt) breaks, in mostly dry weather, our route on Sunday and Monday took us through the picturesque Peak and Lake Districts with overnight stays in Derby and Kendal (yes, we managed a quick visit to the Kendal mint cake warehouse).
On Tuesday we entered Scotland at Gretna Green, where we sticker-bombed the ‘Scotland welcomes you’ sign, and enjoyed afternoon tea in the first house in Scotland, now called ‘Old Toll Bar cafe’, before travelling on to Lockerbie for our overnight stay. There in Lockerbie, we had time to visit memorial sites and bumped into a local Lambretta rider who joined us for a few pints and shared stories and his personal photos from that fateful day in history which made Lockerbie infamous.
Incredibly, on Wednesday, we bumped into an old friend, Jim and his partner Jinette, on the route out of Lockerbie; I haven’t seen Jim since the 1993 Euro Lambretta in Saignelégier, Switzerland. They were going to join our travelling party but decided against it as they were going straight to Ayr and we were about to take a big detour. We turned North East to see The Kelpies and ride the impressive Falkirk Wheel, enjoying an overnight stay in Grangemouth at a fancy hotel, Leopark Hotel, before turning back west to head to Ayr.
Plenty of chats and laughter were enjoyed along the way, and I consumed way more food and alcohol than usual. I guess you could call it training for our upcoming weekend!
Arrival in Ayr: First Impressions
On Thursday afternoon 26th June, we came over the hill through green farmland and down the A77 entering the outskirts of Ayr. We could see the coast in the distance, below overcast skies which threatened rain at any minute. Ayr seemed abuzz with energy. Although this might have been heightened from navigating dodgy country roads on our convoluted route from Falkirk, chosen to avoid motorways. The excitement was real though. Banners fluttered at the entrance to the rally site at Ayr Racecourse, while the smell of two-stroke filled the air and unmistakable sounds of Lambrettas turned heads as they zipped up and down the nearby streets.
With visitors arriving from near and far, the rally site entrance was alive: groups of Lambrettas parked up, many still loaded with luggage and leg shields covered in remnants of assorted aerial wildlife. Some scooters were classic, meticulously restored to their original glory, while others bore bespoke paintwork and customizations that told stories of their own.
Before heading to our accommodation, we parked our six Lambrettas among all the others at the rally site, and enthusiastically made our way to the registration area.
Registration and Reunion
Rally organizers in high-viz welcomed us at the entrance with warmth and Scottish humour (I had to ask them to speak slowly), and they guided us to the registration hub. The process was efficient as we gave our details, me in my stand-out Aussie accent (well, I couldn’t help it) and in return were branded with wrist bands, given our rally packs filled with goodies and the event programme, and handed our rally T-shirt. Bumping into some familiar faces in the queue, old acquaintances were rekindled as we exchanged pleasantries and chatted briefly about our journeys to Ayr.
After registration, we drove/rode to our accommodation at the Premier Inn which was about a mile and a quarter back up the road. We pleasantly discovered about 20 or so Lambrettas already parked up, which grew to 30 -40 over the next few hours, indicating this location had been chosen as an unofficial rally site for those not brave enough to camp or glamp at the Racecourse. After unloading our belongings and checking in, and, establishing the longer than anticipated distance back to the racecourse or nearest restaurants which, due to Scotland’s strict zero-alcohol drink driving tolerance, meant taking a taxi or 30 minute excursion on foot, we decided to stay at the hotel for the rest of the evening. This turned into a reunion as we met up with more old friends from the Modrapheniacs and other English Lambretta clubs; and, turned into good fortune for the hotel given the demand on their restaurant and bar that evening.
Exploring, stories and knurdling
Friday was the first official day of the rally. The early morning unfolded with a downpour, then the grey skies temporarily held away further rain as we made our way to the rally site at the Racecourse. Attendees from all corners of Europe, and as far as USA, Canada, Argentina and, of course, Australia, mingled around in various places, dodging light rain showers while swapping tales of journeys to Ayr, catching up on life since last encounters, and some having technical discussions about engine upgrades recently installed or customisations being considered.
The rally site had lots of options to explore, taking advantage of the size of the racecourse. Just inside the entrance, there were several bars around the Grandstand Area which we would be enjoying later; and other marquee tents were set up close by for other uses, including a workshop area which offered an undercover place to work for those that needed it. In the Grandstand Area there was also a separate Dyno area; and, positioned across the racetrack inside the middle field we could see all the camping and glamping tents lined up, along with portable amenities. There were strict instructions not to cross the racetrack anywhere other than the designated crossing area under any circumstances or risk being ejected from the event. Given the hike involved to get there, we didn’t see any need to bother exploring the camping area!
The soundscape on site was a blend of laughter and chatter, the background drone of Lambrettas coming and going, and a mix of scooter rally music coming from speakers positioned outside one of the bars.
Meanwhile, the dealers’ area in a nearby marquee thrived. There were a number of stalls selling spare parts, tombola and raffle tickets, vintage vinyl, patches, pins, and other memorabilia from international Lambretta club shops. There was something for everyone – as long as you had cash! After a quick trip offsite for a cash machine, I came back and wandered around again, handing out Lambretta Club Australia stickers, trying my luck on the tombola (pleased with the bottle of red wine I won) and buying some raffle tickets for the Jet 200 prize, along with pin badges and other assorted merchandise we could fit into our luggage to take back home to Australia. I also bought a cute clock with the rally logo made from half a used kart tyre, raising funds for a young Glasgow girl who raced karts. Fortunately it was light and small enough to squeeze into my luggage – another token to remember the trip by.
While Steve and I browsed some of the stalls, we bumped into Chrissy, then Siobhán and Akiko – our fellow Lambretta Club of Australia (LCoA) members. We learnt Siobhan’s Targa Twin had broken down following their ride up from Cornwall. Steve assisted Siobhán to track down the spark plugs they needed (thanks to Martin), wondering why the Targa dealer on site wasn’t selling any at his stall. We didn’t end up seeing much of Siobhán over the weekend as it turned out the issue took longer to fix; unfortunately ending unsuccessfully so they had to take it back to Cornwall in a van.
On the Euro Jamboree FaceBook group we saw other calls for help, as inevitably, others had also encountered issues riding to the event, to varying degrees. This included a couple from our group, fortunately only minor issues though. Chris had a niggle with his exhaust and had been nursing his SX150 on his ride up; Steve was concerned about his brakes. Neither issue had stopped them from riding the past 5 days but now we’d arrived in Ayr, they were concerning enough to warrant some knurdling before embarking on our return trip back to Dorset. They managed to solve the issues in the carpark over the weekend, thanks to our group’s excellent mechanics and well prepared back-up van containing the right array of tools and spare parts.
Friday afternoon was spent in the bar swapping more stories, and reconnecting with more old friends. Steve, ever the social butterfly, managed to track down a few old pals from the old Glasgow Spectrum club who he hadn’t seen since the early 1990’s. He was happily indulging in Scotland’s finest pints of 80 shillings heavy, while I dutifully nursed my soft drink like a responsible adult. I had taxied a group of us up there, which made me designated driver. Later that evening, I rewarded my act of self-discipline, or as I like to call it, “the art of strategic hydration” by enjoying several G&T’s in the hotel bar, where a few of us congregated for more story-telling.
Show, Shine, and Scottish Hospitality at its Finest
When the morning of the second day dawned bright and early, thanks to long, summertime daylight hours, and we saw only a few clouds blowing across the Scottish sky, we thanked the gods for the positive change in weather. A few of us returned to the rally site around 10am to revisit the vendor stalls while Steve stayed back to play with his brakes. We didn’t stay long, after experiencing the marquee tent’s warmth, and aroma described as ‘man soup’. Heading back outside for fresh air, Shirley, Debbie and myself strolled over to the side entrance near the camping area to watch the delayed start of Saturday’s ride-out.
Taking advantage of the improved weather we then walked into Ayr’s town centre for some lunch and exploring. We found a lovely café called ‘The Honeybee and The Hare’, and enjoyed a tasty lunch served by friendly locals. Once we’d satisfied our hungry stomachs, we continued exploring, observing a nearby Robert Burns statue, then finding the high street. Although quite a few shops were vacant and boarded up, not dissimilar to other British towns, we browsed a few shops, chuckling at some of the store names and admiring the old architecture along the way. There was a constant stream of Lambrettas riding through town and as we crossed the bridge over the pretty River Ayr on our way back to the rally site, we noticed a few obvious scooterists on foot wandering into a local pub – their T-shirts and other attire giving them away.
Returning to the rally site, the sunshine had fully emerged and skies turned blue for the afternoon’s main events. Enthusiasts gathered in front of the Grandstand Area for the eagerly anticipated Show and Shine ‘Concours D’elegance’ display – that is, those who weren’t in the bar. Here, Lambrettas of all vintages and hues stood shoulder to shoulder, after their owners had fussed over final details—buffing chrome, and ensuring every detail was just so. Judges strolled and inspected the display, while spectators admired the artistry and effort that had gone into each restoration. From pristine Series 1 models to rare specials and innovative modern custom builds, the diversity on display was breathtaking.
The afternoon’s activities also included a marching pipe band showcasing Scottish hospitality at its finest. We basked in the welcome sunshine as they marched across the grandstand and into the forecourt area, where they proceeded to play us a few familiar tunes, decked out in traditional outfits, and impressing us as they cleverly twirled their drum sticks in the air.
Ride-outs
No Euro Lambretta would be complete without the ride-outs, and Ayr’s edition was no exception. Ride-outs were organized for both Friday and Saturday mornings, offering a scenic 40-50 mile through the Ayrshire countryside and nearby places of interest.
Steve (“I don’t do ride-outs”) chose to skip these, given our miles already travelled over the past week. I would have been happy to jump on the back of someone else, but nobody I knew was joining the ride. In any case, quite a few stayed back to enjoy the rally site, or attend to necessary repairs.
I did see the Saturday participants set off though, there were well over a hundred riders in a long cloud of two-stroke smoke. Local residents and other Euro attendees also turned out to wave, some snapping photos, others simply smiling as the colourful and noisy convoy passed by.
official duties and entertainment
This year, I was invited to take on some official duties, representing the Australian Lambretta club; I was the only committee member from Australia present in Ayr. I had the privilege of attending the President’s meeting on Friday afternoon, where important business was discussed; and on Saturday evening I was honored to participate in the award presentation ceremony, where I was asked to present the Lambrettista Dell’anno trophy (Lady Lambretta of the year).
On Friday and Saturday evenings, dinner was included as long as attendees remembered to produce their meal tickets from their rally packs. Due to the limited dining room size and to minimise the catering budget, meals were served in a cafeteria format, starting from around 5.30pm. While some remarked that was too early to eat, those who didn’t arrive early faced quite long lines, though, fortunately, the lines moved fairly quickly.
Friday night’s meal options were a beef stew or vegetarian lasagne. I didn’t realise the lasagne was vegetarian when I chose it but can vouch for it being very tasty (less meat in my diet certainly won’t hurt me either). Saturday evening’s meal was a choice of classic Scottish haggis, a chicken dish or a vegetarian option, pre-selected when buying our tickets. The haggis didn’t appeal to me so I chose the chicken, though perhaps it was the wrong choice as everyone who had the haggis said it was delicious.
With the limited seating areas, attendees were asked after eating to vacate the tables for others and move to one of the other bars upstairs which had transformed by the sounds of loud music and laughter. This worked fine on Friday night however on Saturday evening, the official award ceremony was scheduled after the dinner service so everyone was invited back into the downstairs room for its 7.30pm start. Unfortunately there was a delay and the room became quite crowded with the lack of seating creating tension among some impatient people. Eventually the officials arrived and brief speeches were made by the International Committee and Lambretta Club Scotland presidents, followed by presentations of the prestigious awards and raffle prize. The Bo Martin Trophy for Furthest travelled person to the event was awarded to me, which I gratefully accepted on behalf of Steve and myself, having both travelled together almost 17,000km (as the crow flies) from Sydney to Ayr. Following the speeches and awards, each country’s club presidents and representatives presented gifts to the LCS President as a special recognition and thanks for their team’s efforts which had made the event such a success. On behalf of LCoA, I gifted LCS with two bottles of Australian vintage tawny port, plus two Aussie umbrella hats and a cheap cask of red wine, all which I brought over from Australia. When presenting the gifts I gave a quick explanation that the port was a serious gift I hoped they’d enjoy, but the other items were fun gifts: the umbrella hats to help them deal with the all the rain they get in Britain and the cask was for an opportunity to play our Aussie drinking game called ‘Goon of Fortune’ or sometimes called ‘Wheel of Goon’. For anyone not familiar with our iconic Aussie invention involving a goon bag and rotary clothesline, look it up and give it a try!
On both Friday and Saturday there were DJ’s and bands providing an array of music from midday until closing. Once official duties were completed, the bands and DJs recommenced, and the dance floors soon filled with attendees from Europe and beyond, united not by language but by a shared love for the scootering scene and all it represents. Not all stayed until the end though, some of us (including Steve and I) deciding to head back to the unofficial rally site, aka our hotel bar, to continue our conversations and mingling in a quieter environment. In both locations, the mood was upbeat, retelling stories and reminiscing from previous events and encounters. Laughter carried on the cool Scottish air late into the night for some, while for others, bed was beckoning at a more sensible time knowing early departures and many miles were planned for the next morning.
Departures and reflections
As the rally drew to a close on Sunday morning there was a slight melancholy in the air. The early morning was spent packing, exchanging goodbyes, snapping last minute photos, and getting scooters ready for their journeys. With our vehicles loaded and Lambrettas mounted, I navigated us down the A77 to head out of Ayr, mentally bidding farewell, knowing I’m unlikely to ever visit this town again and grateful for the experience the past few days.
Just as we thought it was all over, we enjoyed an unexpected rally encore experience after turning onto the A70, by becoming part of an unofficial ‘ride-out’. I lost count of how many scooters we saw and travelled with along our route heading East, some riding singularly and others in small clusters. At one point we were behind a group of about 15. We saw others refuelling at service stations in small towns around the 50 mile mark outside Ayr and we had a nice chat with an Austrian couple at one stop, learning they were starting their way back across Scotland to catch a ferry to Europe’s mainland. Unfortunately, we also saw quite a few Lambrettas parked up in lay-byes, some broken down judging by the side panels resting nearby; others possibly just having a quick smoke break or taking a phone call. I saw a comment on the Euro Jamboree FB Group, which described someone’s similar experience that morning being reminiscent of rallies from the 1980’s. When we finally hit the motorway, we thought we’d seen the last of them only to have a couple fly past us, overtaking us at a speed I cannot fathom on small wheels – I hope there were no speed cameras around!
We continued our trip back to Dorset, a little shorter than our journey up, with longer days travelling and only 2 overnight stays, though just as enjoyable. We took a scenic detour to Tan Hill, the highest pub in the British isles, involving a hairy drive through winding, narrow B roads (hairy literally, thanks to some local wildlife refusing to budge on the roadside).
At our overnight stay in Bowes near Barnard Castle, we enjoyed a lovely afternoon walk around the castle and countryside and stayed in a haunted hotel, The Ancient Unicorn, where oddly, I fluked winning three pool games in a row, having not played for decades (maybe the ‘late’ caretaker was on my side).
On Monday we travelled through scenic Cotswolds villages in rising heatwave conditions and stopped at Jeremy Clarkson’s ‘The Farmer’s Dog’ pub where I spent way too much in the Diddly Squat farm shop but justified my spend as supporting the local British farming sector. We finished our trip with a final overnight stay in Coventry at The Cocked Hat Hotel, where we tried to cool down in their beer garden and they waited until we sat down for dinner to tell us they’d run out of almost every item on the menu (there must be a joke in there somewhere given the name of the town) – we took it well, making do with what they had, compensating ourselves with more beers and cocktails to celebrate our final night on tour.
On our last day of our return journey, although feeling a little weary (probably from the nightly consumption of alcohol), I reflected on the great times we enjoyed with a fantastic group of people, marvelling at how well behaved everyone was at the Euro considering the huge cohort of around 1300 attendees. I also reflected on what I might do differently next year, deciding that staying on, or close to, the rally site was a must, being more conducive to socialising; and while I previously enjoyed glamping and might be tempted to try it again, the risk of navigating the associated bathroom facilities determined my preference for the creature comforts of a B&B, hotel or cabins including an ensuite.
Looking Back: The Essence of Euro Lambretta
Reflecting on the trip now we’ve returned back home to Sydney, Australia, what stands out most is not just the scooters, but the people. Euro Lambretta is always a reminder that shared passions can unite us across borders and languages. Whether discussing Serveta history with a fellow enthusiast from Spain, chatting with other international club representatives and making new connections from Sweden, Italy and USA, or sharing a pint of heavy with a club member from Glasgow, there was always a sense of belonging, of being part of something larger.
The Scottish setting added a unique dimension: the warmth of the locals, the drama of the landscape, the blend of tradition and modernity. For a few days, Ayr became a crossroads for the Lambretta world—a place where stories were swapped, friendships forged, and memories created that will last a lifetime.
As I look forward to hopefully attending next year’s Euro Lambretta in Austria, I carry with me not just the rally T-Shirt and a few new pins and stickers, but a renewed appreciation for the enduring power of community, adventure, and two wheels spinning down an open road.
