John O’ Groats a starting point for 2026 Monte Carlo rally

Classic and vintage car enthusiasts are to drive 1,500 miles from John O’ Groats in Caithness to Monte Carlo in Monaco in one of motor sport’s oldest events next year.

The drivers will take part in the UK leg of the Monte Carlo Classique/Historique Rally – 100 years after a group of drivers first made the journey from the north of Scotland to the principality on the French Riviera.

Cars will set off from John O’ Groats on 29 January and stop off in Inverness on the journey south.

A garage in Keiss, north of Wick, will be used as a scrutineer point for checks on participants’ vehicles.

John O’Groats will be one of six “departure cities” for the 2026 Monte Carlo Classique/Historique.

The others are Bad Homburg in Germany, Barcelona in Spain, Turin in Italy, Reims in France and Monte Carlo.

The John O’ Groats Journal and Caithness Courier first reported Caithness village’s role in the rally.

Douglas Anderson, a co-ordinator for the UK leg, believed John O’Groats was the “most important” of the starting points.

He said: “This is the one- that captures the imagination because it’s so far north.

“It will be a real adventure to drive from the north of Scotland to the Mediterranean.

“It’s the 100th anniversary of the first start from John O’Groats, so we’re celebrating that.”

Members of Highland Car Club met in Inverness at the weekend to promote next year’s rally.