There will be no Thunder in the Glens or Cairngorms due to Covid-19
The organisers of the hugely popular Thunder in the Glens rally in the strath have just confirmed that this year's annual massed gathering of Harley Davidson enthusiasts has been cancelled due to Covid-19.
The Dunedin chapter which hosts the long-running event in Aviemore confirmed it would not be taking place as scheduled over the last weekend of August.
They posted on social media: "It is with deep sadness and regret that Dunedin Chapter has to announce that the TITG 2020 Rally has had to be cancelled.
"As organisers of TITG we have waited as long as reasonably possible to make a decision. We had hoped that circumstances would change, allowing it to proceed.
"Regrettably this has not proven to be the case.
"It is now clear the grave situation we find ourselves in, regarding the Coronavirus (Covid-19), is not going to allow us to proceed with the event.
We know everyone will appreciate the challenges we have faced in making this decision but as organisers of TITG® we have a responsibility and duty of care to you, our sponsors and partners, their staff and the local community in Aviemore.
Badenoch and Strathspey Highland councillor Muriel Cockburn (SNP) said: "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."
Last year's rally - based as ever at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort - attracted an estimated 10,000 visitors into the strath over the three days of the rally.
Organiser George “Mad Dog” McGuire told the Strathy at the time: “I can honestly say that the 2019 Dunedin Chapter Rally was a thunderous success!
“I simply couldn’t say where they all came from, frankly. We met a tour from South Africa, another from Kentucky in the US, a group from Australia and a surprisingly large number from Europe, notably Belgium, Italy, France, even Malta.
“Saturday’s ride-out was fantastic. We had 4000 registered bikes and I simply couldn’t say how many joined us after that.”
“The atmosphere was second to none. There were so many local businesses putting on a show and there was music everywhere.”
One of the highlights of Thunder in the Glens - which has run for more than 20 years - is the mass ride-out from Aviemore centre on the Saturday lunchtime into the strath - often towards Lochindorb and then into Grantown for a stop and celebrations.
