THUNDER in the Glens, the annual Harley-Davidson bikers’ rally in the Highlands has been cancelled for this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Organised by the Dunedin Chapter of the Harley-Davidson Owners Group (HOG) the event attracts tens of thousands of bikers and spectators to Aviemore and Speyside during the August bank holiday weekend.
However the organisers took the “gut-wrenching” decision to cancel this year’s rally – the proceeds of which go to charity – to safeguard the local community.
Rally co-ordinator George “Mad Dog” McGuire said the chapter had posted the “sad” news on social media.
He told The National: “It was an absolutely gut-wrenching decision, but it was the only one we could make under current circumstances.
“We were waiting as long as was reasonably possible in the hope that circumstances would change and the lockdown might be lifted.
“But regrettably that hasn’t happened and doesn’t show any signs of happening any time soon.
“We had to think about the safety of the community in and around Aviemore and we didn’t want to bring an influx of thousands of bikers in, some of whom could potentially spread the virus.
“It’s a horrible disease and I’ve been made aware of several Harley people who’ve passed because of it, so from a health and safety point of view we couldn’t go ahead with it.
“This will be a phenomenal financial hit for Macdonald Hotels and for the whole of Strathspey, but we’ll aim to bring it back for 2021 bigger and better than ever.”
Bikers – not just Harley owners – travel from around the world to TITG, including large numbers from Europe, as well as further-flung locations such as New Zealand, Africa, the US and Canada.
Accommodation is at a premium throughout Strathspey before and during the rally and McGuire said Macdonald Hotels Aviemore resort – where TITG is based and which was in furlough because of Covid-19 – had agreed to carry forward bookings for this year to next.
Refunds to those who had already paid for this year would be on offer, or tickets could be used for 2021, he added.
McGuire cautioned against local HOG chapters trying to organise smaller rallies – mini-Thunders – to replace the cancelled event.
“We don’t know much about this awful disease but it could take people and communities a long time to recover and I think local groups should follow our lead and not plan smaller rallies until the health crisis is over, to safeguard local communities.”
The Badenoch and Strathspey Highland SNP councillor, Muriel Cockburn, told the Strathspey and Badenoch Herald: “As a councillor that has worked closely with Thunder in the Glens I am really sad as this is a huge financial blow to our communities and to all the support they give to good causes and local charities.
“But the bikers can rest assured there will be a big welcome awaiting them in 2021.”
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