This is a special Trials Guru ‘section’, dedicated to the world famous, Pre65 Scottish Trial, organised annually by the Edinburgh & District Motor Club Limited, in and around the hills of Kinlochleven, Scotland.

Words: Trials Guru; Neil Gaunt; Jock McComisky; John Dickinson.

Photos: Iain Lawrie; Chris Sharp; Colin Bullock; Eric Kitchen; Mike Rapley; Jeremy Whittet, Jimmy Young, OffRoad Archive, Ian Kerr, Peter Bremner, Jean Caillou, John Graham, Sharon Smith, Stig Karlsson Archive, Bernard Schreiber, Mark Robinson, Hans Meditz, Helen Graham Fox; Trials Guru Archive.

Main Photo: Stig Karlsson (Triumph), 1999 winner – Photo: Eric Kitchen.

In the beginning:

In 1983, the Scottish Six Days Trial organising committee met to discuss the following year’s event and realised that there were some spectator heavy sections that utilised Forestry Commission land for parking and section access which was creating potentially severe traffic congestion.

Jock McComisky told Trials Guru: “It was the sections at Achlain that caused the problem and hence the reason for the first Pre65. The Police came to the SSDT committee about spectators vehicles that were nearly blocking the road and asked us to do something about it or don’t use the sections.“

So, what could be done?

Background to the Pre65 movement:

In August 1972 an event was organised behind the Red Lion public house on Shawforth Moor, this attracted 53 entrants, with the eventual winner being Arthur Lampkin on his BSA Gold Star. This effectively created not only the Shawforth Shake Pre65 Trial, but also the Pre65 movement.

The 1984 Pre65 Scottish Trial:

The answer was simple, there had been a rapidly expanding interest in events catering for machines built before 1965, so why not create a diversionary event to steer spectators away to an area where there was sufficient parking? The Pre65 Scottish Trial was born!

The inaugural event was held on Tuesday, 8th May 1984 and that ensured that Forestry Commission and Police officers were happy that there was no more congestion. The venue chosen was the Mamore ridge hill range above the coastal village of Kinlochleven, Argyll. Kinlochleven was formed from two previously separate small communities, being ‘Kinlochmore’ to the north of the River Leven in Inverness-shire and ‘Kinlochbeg’ to the south of the Leven in Argyll.

(Interesting point to note on Maurice Newsham’s AJS, his riding number 46 differs from others in the 1984 trial. It is suspected that Maurice kept with tradition of the old SSDT and used a black plate with yellow numbers, whereas all other riders were issued with small card white background and black numbers!)

History records that none other than Sammy Miller M.B.E would be the winner of the first Pre65 Scottish Trial, very fitting in that the phrase, ‘Pre65’ could be taken as Pre-Sammy Miller signs for Bultaco! Certainly 1965 was a year of change for the sport of trial as the machines shifted from the traditional heavyweight single cylinder four-stroke to the lightweight two-stroke of around 250cc displacement. Miller had effectively signed the death warrant for the large capacity four-stroke machines, with Alan Lampkin being the last British rider to win the SSDT on a British made four-stroke, the 250cc BSA C15T in 1966.

Sammy had stamped his authority on the ‘new’ event, it came as no surprise as he had been a five times winner of the SSDT in previous years and was regarded as the favourite to take the win. Although by 1984 he had ceased to be a national competitor, Sammy kept himself physically and mentally fit and he knew the terrain very well. Taking top honours with a two mark lead over nearest challenger, Malcolm Rathmell on a Triumph Cub.

Within one year the new event, which would become centred at the now demolished Kinlochleven School, grew in popularity and instead of hosting it mid-SSDT week as was first planned, the ‘Pre’65 Scottish Trial’, as it was officially named, would move to the Saturday prior to the SSDT ‘weigh-in’ Sunday as a one day event. This shift made the SSDT week a little longer for enthusiasts with the opening weekend very much older bike orientated.

The Pre65 Scottish Trial was becoming the ‘Mecca’ of trials enthusiasts from across the globe and it wasn’t long before overseas riders clamboured for entries to the annual event in late April/early May.

The start area was crammed with trials celebrities from yesteryear, Kinlochleven was the place to be in late April, early May. Many former SSDT winners mingled with the spectators, creating a unique atmosphere. This included John Draper; Gordon Jackson; Arthur and Alan Lampkin; Jeff Smith; John Brittain; Roy Peplow; Sammy Miller and many more.

Early information on the Pre65 Scottish Trial is a little sketchy, in that some official details have been retained from 1997 when the first ‘two-day’ Pre65 was organised.

The two day format was an idea put forward by committee member and former assistant clerk of course of the SSDT, Jock McComisky. However, not all information is missing, Trials Guru website has collected valuable information over the years on this very special event.

The weekly off-road paper, Trials and Motocross News (TMX News) had taken over the task of producing the official programme of the SSDT in 1984 and they also incorporated the entry list for the Pre65 event. Staffman, Mike Rapley was responsible for compiling these official programmes for fifteen years.

However this was a ‘pull out’ feature of the paper and wasn’t best suited for enthusiasts and spectators to carry the programme to sections, especially if it was a wet event!

The 1997 Pre65 Scottish Chairman was SSDT stalwart, the late Eric Macnamara, an enthusiast who had been for many years a member of the Edinburgh Southern MC and also the Edinburgh & District Motor Club. He had been an active competitor in trials and had a wealth of knowledge being a course plotter for the SSDT. From 1980 until 1984, Eric was Clerk of Course for the SSDT. Former SSDT Clerk of Course, John Graham was tasked with the job of the Pre65 Clerk! He plotted a course similar to when he was in charge of the SSDT during the 1960s within the Kinlochleven area. Graham enlisted the help of local man, John MacGregor who had worked at the British Aluminium company in the village, was a former competitor and knew the ground very well, being the ‘man on the spot’, a phrase coined to describe his late father-in-law, Ian Pollock.

Bob Adamson from Edinburgh was charged with the task of being the first Pre65 Scottish Trial, Secretary of the meeting. When the inaugural Pre65 event was held, Macnamara was delighted that it resolved the issue of spectators on the Tuesday of the SSDT, but pretty quickly realised that it had created a demand in another area of Lochaber.

Bob Adamson had for many years been secretary of the Edinburgh Southern MC and Assistant Secretary to SSDT Secretary, Jim McColm.

Adamson told Trials Guru’s John Moffat in 1993: “As far as machine acceptability was concerned, I simply looked through the entry list of the 1964 SSDT official programme, and if machines were listed in there, then as far as I was concerned they were eligible!“

Bob Adamson would be the Pre65 Scottish Trial Secretary from 1984 until 1996.

SSDT stalwart, Willie Dalling from Gorebridge, would become heavily involved in the Pre65 during its formative years, having not only ridden the SSDT many times, but had also developed a keen interest in the Pre65 trials and scrambles movement. In fact when he was courting his wife to be, Creena, Willie had owned an AJS 18CS which he used as a road machine, so that would have planted the seed. Willie of course rode the Pre65 Scottish many times and finished third in 1987. He also took over the position of Clerk of the Course of the SSDT from Norman Edgar.

The 1984 Pre65 trial actually started at the Wade’s Road Garage, Kinlochleven, before it eventually moved to the Kinlochleven High School grounds due to the school being in session. The presentation of awards took place on the Tuesday evening, May 8th at 10pm, at the Milton Hotel, which meant competitors had to travel from Kinlochleven to Fort William to collect their awards.

96 riders were listed for the 1984 trial, the first rider away was C.W. Baughan, a member of South Liverpool MCC on his 1960 Triumph 350 twin.

Former AJS works rider, motor dealer, Gordon McLaughlan from Thornaby-On-Tees was number 5 on his replica 350 AJS.

Popular Scottish rider, Jimmy Morton from Sorn, Ayrshire who was the prime Scottish based Bultaco agent and dealer at the time, was on his 1964 Triumph Cub riding number 6. Jimmy Morton was the first dealer to set up a stall within the West End Car park at the SSDT in the 1970s, a practice copied by many thereafter.

The ‘Unknown Cottrell’ 1985 win:

There was a tie for the Pre65 Scottish win in 1985, the second year of the trial. It was on 3 marks with Sammy Miller (Ariel) who rode again with number ’56’ on the Ariel, but had to share the spoils with Brian Cottrell (BSA). Brian was to become known as ‘The Unknown Cottrell’ after his win.

We spoke to former TMX News editor, John Dickinson about the ‘Unknown’ Cottrell comment, he stated: “I did indeed coin the phrase. What I actually wrote was ‘the relatively unknown Brian Cottrell’, which compared to Sammy Miller was 100% correct, but Brian immortalised it when he turned up to the following year’s Pre-65 with his jacket emblazoned with THE UNKNOWN COTTRELL in giant letters!”

Dickinson continued: “I was a bit shocked but Brian was always fine about it and we became quite good pals. He and John Shirt Snr were very close friends and I travelled with them and Nigel Birkett several times to the GasGas factory shindigs in Girona in the 1990s, sharing a hire car.”

The inaugural 1984 trial certainly achieved its objective as a ‘diversion’ for the Tuesday route of the SSDT, the crowds flocked to Kinlochleven to see some stars of yesteryear compete on period machinery. In fact from that year on the crowds flocked to Kinlochleven to breathe in not only fresh air, but the atmosphere of bygone trials! The aroma of Castrol ‘R’ was almost intoxicating.

1985:

By 1985, the Pre65, now running on the Saturday before the SSDT had effectively created an eight day excursion for followers of the two trials. First man away in 1985 was Weardale enthusiast, Walter Dalton on his 500cc Ariel.

During this period of time, part of the SSDT committee were responsible for setting out the Pre65, extra duties prior to the big trial. This included Willie Dalling, Peter Bremner, Alex Smith and Jock McComisky. The small team would set out all the sections and the route marking, before heading back to Fort William to commence lay out the course for the Scottish Six Days. It was very much a joint venture, however within a few years it became necessary to for a committee specifically for the Pre65 trial. It should be explained that the promoting club for both the SSDT and Pre65 trials is the Edinburgh & District Motor Club, Ltd (incorporated on 2nd May 1911), which delegates down to two separate committees, one for the Six Days and the other for the Pre65 Scottish Two Day.

1988:

Three times winner of the trial, Sammy Miller had decided to semi-retire from trials to concentrate on his New Milton Museum and business interests, which would leave others to battle for overall honours. This was achieved by former Ossa, Bultaco and Triumph works rider, Dave Thorpe from Chesterfield. Thorpe would go further and have multiple wins, stamping his authority on the now prestigeous annual event. First man away was Charlie Cope of the Lanarkshire MCC from Edinburgh at eleven in the morning and was due to finish no later than four in the afternoon. It was still a single route and 140 competitors took part.

1990:

In the official programme, the doyen of Trials journalism, Ralph Venables eluded to the problems of over-subscription, with over 200 entries for 160 places. The Clerk of Course was Peter Bremner from Inverness. First man away was Edinburgh rider, Donald Logan on his 500cc Royal Enfield, a machine that would in 2004, win the trial in the hands of Neil Gaunt. Venables noted that only one previous SSDT winner was listed and that was Alan Lampkin, who rode his elder brother’s BSA C15T in the event.

The winner was Dave Thorpe on his Triumph Cub, on zero marks, his fourth victory in succession.

1991:

By now a regular competitor was former GP rider and TT winner, Mick Grant who had developed a very trick 500cc Ariel HT5. Mick was keen to win this event and was quoted as saying: “I would give up one of my seven TT replicas for a win at the Pre65 Scottish.”

The Pre65 Scottish Trial, like most events catering for this class of machine was becoming more and more specialised, that was both competitor and machinery. Using Mick Grant as an example, he had restored a 500cc Ariel to catalogue specification, a machine that was ridden by Irish champion, Benny Crawford.

Grant was by now a regular competitor on his very special and allegedly ‘trick’ Ariel HT5. His bike weighed a lot less that a standard HT5 and probably lighter than Miller’s famous ‘GOV132’ Ariel. Classic Bike magazine ran an article on Mick’s Ariel around this time. Grant decided to ride an event on the newly completed and restored genuine Ariel, and the result was that he was well down the finisher’s list. The Pre65 machinery had already started to use front forks that outwardly looked genuine, but in truth had internals from later style suspension. A firm favourite was the Betor/Bultaco fork which could be turned down and fitted inside the slider of say a Norton short Roadholder fork slider, so in effect a 35 millimeter suspension unit inside an Imperial fork. This gave a nice, smooth, progressive front suspension set up and still be ‘Pre65 legal’. Having said all that, let us not forget that it still requires someone to ride the machine and Mick Grant was more than just a TT winner, he was a formidable trials rider too.

Probably the most controversial machines of the mid to late 1980s were the ‘Hardy Triumphs’, a successful, specially made machine used by Phil Hardy and built by his father. Many enthusiasts complained that they were not strictly adhering to the rule book. The machines literally bristled with aluminium components and were highly sought after, fetching relatively high prices if they did change hands. Thereafter came the plethora of ‘Trifields’ basically Triumph twin engines slotted into a Royal Enfield Crusader chassis, these became more and more popular with Pre65 riders.

Trick or modified trials machines are not a new phenomenon, take for example the Walwin BSAs. These were built by the Winwood family in the 1960s with frames made from alloy plate. Trials riders love to personalise and modify their bikes to suit themselves.

1995:

Jim McColm had been SSDT Secretary since the 1970 event and he decided to call it a day after the 1994 event, having presided over twenty five Scottishs. He put together a book on his twenty-five years with anecdotes and most importantly the full results of all those years. He was still the Secretary of the Edinburgh & District Motor Club Ltd, so he and SSDT Chairman, George Turner, a retired Chief Inspector of E division in Lothians and Borders Police, began to assist with the Pre65 event in 1995. It was fair to say that by 1995, the SSDT had fallen from popularity, mainly because the trial had gone ‘stop-permitted’ and this put people off entering. The entry numbers were decreasing and it was no longer over-subscribed. The new SSDT Secretary for 1995 was Aly Findlay from Dundee. However the Pre65 was flourishing and it was Peter Stewart of Hamilton Yamaha who convinced SSDT Clerk of Course, Willie Dalling to petition the SSDT committee to revert to the ‘No Stop’ method of observing. Dalling was successful in his efforts and history records that entry levels began to return and so did over-subscription for entries.

The committees of the SSDT and Pre65 started to become more polarized and autonomous at this period in time. Now in its eleventh year, Kinlochleven had ‘adopted’ the Pre65 Scottish as their own trial, the SSDT being more to Fort William.

Jim McColm and George Turner continued to serve the Edinburgh & District Motor Club for many years to come, and the Pre65 Scottish in particular. Jim McColm was on the committee until 2013, he died on 13th November 2017. George Turner resigned in 2009, he died on 16th March 2021.

1996:

Consternation in the motorcycle press when Matt Chambers took top honours on his 250cc Triumph Cub when reports were banded around that his machine was fitted with a hydraulic operated clutch.

This resulted in a tightening up of scrutineering. Kevin Chapman from Darlington was runner up on his Triumph twin and Scot, Jim Cunningham from Carrington in Midlothian, put in a splendid performace to come home in third position on his BSA B40, which was fitted with an Italian Grimeca hub from an SWM!

1997:

Committee man, Jock McComisky, inspired by other Pre65 events that were run on a multiple day basis, suggested that the Pre65 Scottish should move from a one day event to that of a two day affair. The committee, chaired by Eric Macnamara, discussed the proposal and for 1997 it was agreed to try the concept. However, the Pre65 committee didn’t want to clash with the ‘weigh-in’ Sunday of the SSDT, so it was decided to run the first day on the Friday and second day on the now well established Saturday. Having been Trial Secretary since the first one day trial, Bob Adamson tendered his resignation and the vacant position was filled by Andy Johnstone from Edinburgh. Johnstone had competed in the event many times and had some fresh ideas of his own. This included issuing riding numbers to sons of SSDT competitors, fifty years on. One such recipient was Nic Draper who rode with the same number as his father John Draper had ridden the Scottish Six Days fifty years previously. He also introduced named awards for the capacity classes.

First man away was John Moffat on a 350cc Matchless, finishing a full hour before his alloted time. However, it was evident that the popularity of the event caused bottlenecks at some of the sections, this would be solved by the figure of eight system and the use of road work along the shores of Loch Leven. Sponsorship mirrored that of the SSDT with ‘Hamilton Yamaha’, who insisted that the two trials have the sponsors name within the titles. This was brokered between the Edinburgh & District club and Peter Stewart of Hamilton Cables Ltd of Chesterfield.

The Pre65 Scottish now produced it’s own Official Programme for the first time. This contained the maps of the two days and the rider listing.

The 1997 results recorded a draw for the win, between Dave Thorpe and Kevin Chapman both surrendering two dabs for the two days.

1998:

Now established as a two day affair, the Pre65 Scottish was going from strength to strength. Clerk of the Course was now Jim Mulvie from Edinburgh, a previous SSDT clerk of course.

The event was won by popular Roger H. Williams from Stockton on a 250cc James. However he was to make himself instantly unpopular with some of the audience at the presentation of awards in Kinlochleven on the Saturday evening.

Williams was well known as a bit of a jolly mickey-taker, but his victory speech did not go down well. He basically stated that he had entered the trial “as a bit of a laugh” and this enraged some of the assembled gathering. He tried hard to make light of the comment, even apologising, but the damage was well and truly done!

Irishman, Jonathan Martin managed to break his 250cc BSA in half in one of the furthest out parts of the course, Meall Na Cruaidh (which means Hill of Hardship), certainly a hardship and a long walk back to civilisation!

1999:

Japanese trials and enduro enthusiast, Toshiki ‘Toshi’ Nishiyama repeated history, he was the first Japanese competitor to take part in the SSDT, he rode a Montesa in 1971. Twenty-eight years later, he was the first Japanese competitor to take part in the 1999 Pre65 Scottish. Toshi rode a BSA B40, prepared for him by Yorkshire’s Keith Horsman of Silsden.

The 1999 trial was to be the first where road work was introduced. Primarily this was added to effectively spread the entry field out. By utilising the ‘figure of eight’ route marking, with odd numbers going out in one direction with the even numbers going to opposite way, this helped alleviate queuing at certain sections, the worst being ‘Pipeline’ which could create delays of over an hour. It also opened up more groups of sections, such as Caolasnacoan; Cameron Hill; Pollock Hill and Camas-na-Muic.

The Clerk of Course, Alex Smith from Bathgate told Trials Guru in 1999: “We need the run out along the south side of Loch Leven to lose riders for an hour. This helps with reducing queues at some of the longer sections.”

The road work introduced for the 1999 Pre65 Scottish, forced entrants to have their machines road registered and insured. Some hopeful entrants didn’t relish having to road legalise their machines, but the event was oversubscribed in any case.

The eventual winner was Swedish rider, Stig Karlsson who rode under the Northallerton club, having become very good friends with Tim Bell, a regular at the Pre65 Scottish who in 1988 became the first pre65 rider to clean the infamous ‘Pipeline’ on his 500cc Royal Enfield. Karlsson was a self taught engineer and was known in trials circles for having ridden the SSDT on a heavily modified Matchless.

The use of the public highway and the length of the route encouraged spectators to follow the event. That is fine on the public highway, but not across private land or off-road. The trial only receive permission for competitors and officials of the event to cross their land on motorcycles. The organising club were forced to put out statements annually, via the motorcycle press, to request spectators to follow the trial only on foot, not with motorcycles. The trial could have been put in jeoperdy if spectators continued to traverse the moors to get to see the sections. The area that surrounds Kinlochleven is very sensitive and the famous ‘Pipeline’ section is right in the centre of a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) governed by law.

The meticulous Alex Smith:

Alex Smith was the man who decided that road work was necessary in the Pre65 Scottish, let us find out more about him. Alex, or Alastair as he was known to his immediate family, was raised in the West Lothian town of Bathgate when coal mining was still a major employer. Smith was educated at the local Lindsay High School, when he left school he began employment with the National Coal Board and studied Quantity Surveying and Engineering with Wimpey.

Alex owned the ex-Brian ‘Tiger’ Payne 350 AJS (YNC526) on which he rode the 1963 SSDT. The machine was later owned by Rogart man John MacDonald, the local postman. In his riding days, Smith rode Triumph Tiger Cub, AJS, Cotton, Bultaco, Montesa and Ossa machinery. He also maintained many of the machines that were used to route-mark the SSDT. Alex rode in trials regularly from 1961 until 1975.

Alex was one of the SSDT team, led by Clerk of Course Johnny Graham, who constructed the famous ‘catch net’ up the Blackwater (Ciaran Path) high above Kinlochleven in 1969, which over the years has saved many a wayward trials and mountain bike from falling 100 feet into the river below.

Alex Smith took on the job of Pre65 Clerk of Course in 1999, bringing with him all the experience he had gathered when an Assistant Clerk of the Scottish Six Days. He continued in this position until 2010 when he took on the role of Pre65 committee Chairman until 2013. He died in July 2019 after a long battle with cancer.

The Millenium year, 2000:

The new millenium saw the Pre65 remain over-subscribed and the event was now in its twenty-first year. Stig Karlsson was to take the win for the second time, but this time it was on his very special Matchless, a machine that he continued to modify to suit his needs. He had ridden an earlier version in the 1980 SSDT and this popularised the Swede with the Scottish crowds. The Matchless now resides in North Yorkshire in the ownership of his good friend Tim Bell.

Stig Karlsson is the only overseas rider to win the Pre65 Scottish Trial.

What’s in a name?

Around the time of the new millenium, it was decided to rename the old Grey Mare’s Ridge section in honour of the 1961 SSDT winner, Gordon Leonard Jackson. The reason being that Gordon lost his solitery one mark penalty on the top sub-section of this particular group on his factory AJS (187BLF). And so the section became known as ‘Jacksons’. Gordon and his friends which included Gordon Blakeway, Peter Fletcher, Gordon McLaughlan and Geoff Ward annually made their way to the ridge sections to watch the Pre65 trial action.

Overseas Riders:

The Pre65 Scottish Trial has always attracted many riders from outside the United Kingdom. However it was only permitted to accept European riders due to insurance and repatriation restrictions. Notable overseas riders include Joel Corroy; Jean Caillou; Carlos Casas; Eddy Zels; Charles Coutard. The highest placed overseas rider not to win is Carlos Casas who came third on 2005. Stig Karlsson won twice and was third in 2002.

Don Smith:

Evergreen Don ‘D.R.’ Smith made a comeback in 2000 with a Greeves Anglian supplied by Richard Deal. D.R. found the event challenging and wished that he had trained and ridden more before tackling this Pre65 event. Smith loved the Scottish Highlands, he debuted his first Montesa Cota 247 at a Lochaber Trial in 1968 and gave the new machine its first win. Smith regretted never to have won the SSDT, but he came very close a few times. Prior to his death in 2004, Don planned another attempt at the Pre65 Scottish, buying a Triumph Cub from his old sparring partner, Sammy Miller. Sadly he died before he could achieve his plans.

2004 – the Silver Jubilee Pre65 Scottish:

The trial had come of age, it celebrated 25 years in existence and Fuchs Silkolene were now the main sponsors.

We spoke with Neil Gaunt who won the 2004 Silver Jubillee Pre65 Scottish: “It seems a long time ago now. Firstly I had not even thought of riding Pre65 but when Andy Johnstone offered me the loan of his old mate Donny’s bike, I accepted. I rode the bike in 2002 to tenth and best newcomer, 2003 to 4th place, I then bought the bike off Donny’s widow. I altered a few things on the bike, moving the rear brake pedal to the right hand side and improving the carburation, it seemed like my bike now. I rode round with my Dad, Peter Gaunt, Scott and Colin Dommett. Everything just seemed to flow. We had Don Smith and Bill Brooker following us round showing me the lines, providing drinks and invaluable advice. I was elated to win, but when the great Arthur Lampkin comes up to shake your hand and says it was a ‘proper win on a proper bike’ you know it was quite special. Happy Days.“

2006 – saw a change in the event secretariat, when Andy Johnstone resigned his position as Trial Secretary and therefore his directorship of the Edinburgh & District Motor Club, Ltd. The post was taken up by Anne Gordon, daughter of rider and former Scottish Trials Champion, John Winthrop and older sister of Leslie Winthrop, also a former Scottish Trials Champion.

Main Officials:

Trial Secretaries: Bob Adamson; Andy Johnstone; Anne Gordon.

Clerks of Course: Peter Bremner; Alex Smith; Bill Emmerson; Willie Robertson; Darren Palmer; Scott Gordon.

Chair: Eric Macnamara; George Turner; Archie Plenderleith; Alex Smith; Tam Weir; Alan Scott.

Observers:

Each year an army of hardy individuals march off into the Mamores to stand for many hours carrying out their duties as official observers. We could mention many, but will select but one, the late ‘Farmer John’ Graham from the North East of England. Farmer John observed into his nineties and became a legend. He took his task seriously and observed consistently, he scored exactly what he saw, regardless of who the rider was.

John Graham was diagnosed with cancer on 19th November 2020. He had been out observing at a motorcycle trial as late as the 12th September. The nurses who treated John told his family they had never known anyone as strong, and they called him “individual”. The sum of £4000 has been raised in donations for Tynedale Hospice at Home. Trials riders followed the funeral cortege around Hexham Auction Mart where John had worked from his retirement from farming in 1991. Around 200 farmers, friends, family and about 30 trials riders on their bikes, in effect his worlds united with mutual respect.

Farmer John died on 7th December 2020 aged 90 years.

His daughter, Helen Graham Fox is carrying on the tradition.

Scots in the Pre65 Scottish:

Since the very first Pre65 Scottish, quite a number of talented Scottish born trials riders have tried to win the event. Notable podiums finishes from Jim Cunningham (twice) and Willie Dalling, both from Midlothian. Former multiple Scottish Trials Champion, Leslie Winthrop tried his hand many times and came close to winning with a podium in 2011. One year his chain came off on the Garbh Bhienn section, caused by the snail cam grub screw shearing on his Dave Stewart supplied Triumph Cub.

Murray Whittaker from Stonehaven had a third place in 2016, tied with the winner, Dan Clark and runner-up Ben Butterworth.

The first Scotsman to win was first timer, local man, Gary Macdonald on a BSA Bantam. He was one of three riders to have won on their first attempt. That was in 2017, he would go on to win a further twice (in 2018 and 2022) and almost pulled it off a fourth time, but lost out on a tie breaker.

Gary was thirteen times Scottish Trials Champion and British Expert Champion, the most successful Scottish born trials rider, of all time.

Pre65 Scottish Trial – Podium:

1984: 1st. Sammy Miller, Ariel (2 marks); 2nd. Malcolm Rathmell (4 marks); 3rd. Martin Lampkin (8 marks).

1985: 1st Equal. Sammy Miller, Ariel (3 marks); Brian Cottrell, BSA (3 marks); 3rd. Jim Cunningham (5 marks).

1986: 1st Equal. Sammy Miller, Ariel (1 mark); Malcolm Ellis, BSA (1 Mark); 3rd. Neil Crosswaite (4 marks).

1987: 1st. Dave Thorpe, Triumph (0 mark); 2nd. Sammy Miller (3 marks); 3rd. Willie Dalling (4 marks).

1988: 1st. Dave Thorpe, Triumph (0 marks); 2nd. Leslie Winthrop (7 marks); 3rd. Sammy Miller (8 marks).

1989: 1st. Dave Thorpe, Triumph (2 marks); 2nd. John Luckett (4 mark) 3rd. Peter Salt (5 marks).

1990: 1st. Dave Thorpe, Triumph (0 marks); 2nd. David Pye (1 mark); 3rd. David Sturdey (3 marks).

1991: 1st Equal. David Pye, Triumph (2 marks); Dave Thorpe (2 marks) 3rd. Mick Andrews (4 marks).

1992: 1st Equal. Alan Wright, BSA (1 mark); Mick Andrews, James (1 mark); 3rd. Dave Thorpe (6 marks).

1993: 1st Equal. Dave Thorpe, Triumph (0 marks); Mick Andrews, James (0 marks); 3rd. Chris Milner (1 mark).

1994: 1st Equal: Mick Andrews, Ariel (0 marks); Roy Wilson, Triumph (0 marks); 3rd. Dave Thorpe (2 marks).

1995: 1st Equal. Alan Wright, Triumph (2 marks); Wayne Braybrook, BSA (2 marks); 3rd. Peter Salt (3 marks).

1996: 1st. Matt Chambers, Triumph (0 marks); 2nd. Kevin Chapman (1 mark); 3rd. Jim Cunningham (3 marks).

1997: 1st Equal. Dave Thorpe, Triumph (2 marks); Kevin Chapman, Triumph (2 marks); 3rd. Mick Andrews (7 marks).

1998: 1st. Roger Williams, James (4 marks); 2nd. Kevin Chapman (5 marks); 3rd. Dave Thorpe (6 marks).

1999: 1st. Stig Karlsson, Triumph (1 mark); 2nd. Len Hutty (2 marks); Nic Draper (3 marks).

2000: 1st. Stig Karlsson, Matchless (1 mark); 2nd. Mick Andrews (2 marks); 3rd. Tony Calvert (3 marks).

2001: No Trial due to Foot and Mouth outbreak in the UK.

2002: 1st. Mick Andrews, James (0 marks); 2nd. Tony Calvert (3 marks); 3rd. Stig Karlsson (9 marks).

2003: 1st. Scott Dommett, Cotton (1 mark); Mick Grant (5 marks); 3rd. David Postlethwaite (6 marks).

2004: 1st. Neil Gaunt, Royal Enfield (6 marks); 2nd. Mick Andrews (7 marks); 3rd. Mick Grant (7 marks).

2005: 1st. Mick Andrews, James (15 marks); 2nd. Dave Thorpe (18 marks); 3rd. Carlos Casas (20 marks).

2006: 1st. Neil Gaunt, Ariel (3 marks); 2nd. Graham Du Feu (4 marks); 3rd. Paul Heys (5 marks).

2007: 1st. Tony Calvert, Triumph (1 mark); 2nd. Neil Gaunt (2 marks); 3rd. Davy Morewood (2 marks).

2008: 1st. Tony Calvert, Triumph (1 mark); 2nd. Davy Morewood (3 marks); 3rd. Scott Dommett (3 marks).

2009: 1st. Paul Heys, Triumph (4 marks); 2nd. Neil Gaunt (6 marks); 3rd. Robin Luscombe (7 marks).

2010: 1st. Paul Heys, Triumph (3 marks); 2nd. Davy Morewood (3 marks); 3rd. Tony Calvert (3 marks).

2011: 1st. Steve Saunders, Triumph (2 marks); 2nd. Neil Gaunt (4 marks); 3rd. Leslie Winthrop (6 marks).

2012: 1st. Davy Morewood, Ariel (0 marks); 2nd. James Noble (3 marks); 3rd. Carlos Casas (4 marks).

2013: 1st. James Harland, Triumph (7 marks); 2nd. Phil Houghton (9 marks); 3rd. Andrew Paxton (9 marks).

2014: 1st. Robert Bowyer, Triumph (2 marks); 2nd. Phil Houghton (4 marks); 3rd. Richard Allen (4 marks).

2015: 1st. James Noble, Ariel (4 marks); 2nd. Stuart Blyth (6 marks); 3rd. Ben Butterworth (6 marks).

2016: 1st. Dan Clark, Triumph (3 marks); 2nd. Ben Butterworth (3 marks); 3rd. Murray Whittaker (3 marks).

2017: 1st. Gary Macdonald, BSA (4 marks); 2nd. James Noble (6 marks); 3rd. Dan Thorpe (7 marks).

2018: 1st. Gary Macdonald, Triumph (0 marks); 2nd. Dan Clarke (0 marks); 3rd. Dan Thorpe (0 marks).

2019: 1st. Dan Thorpe, Triumph (1 mark); 2nd. Ben Butterworth (2 marks); 3rd. Gary Macdonald (2 marks).

2020: No Trial – Covid-19

2021: No Trial – Covid-19

2022: 1st. Gary Macdonald (1 mark); 2nd. Joel Gowan (1 mark); 3rd. Ben Butterworth (1 mark).

2023: 1st. Dan Thorpe, Triumph (0 marks); 2nd. Gary Macdonald (0 marks); 3rd. Dan Clark (1 mark).

2024: 1st. Dan Clark, Ariel (1 mark); 2nd. Ben Butterworth (1 mark); 3rd. William Tolson (3 marks).

2025: 1st. James Noble (Ariel) (0 marks); 2nd. Gary Macdonald (0 marks); 3rd. Ben Butterworth (1 mark).

Bibliography:

‘Six Days In May’ – Jim McColm (Published 1995) – Various results for the Pre65 Scottish Trial 1984-1994.

Trials and Motocross News, Morecambe – Official Programme Supplements from 1984 – 1998.

The Pre65 Scottish (1984 – 2009) – Tommy Sandham – Willow Publishing (Magor) – ISBN: 978-0-9512523-0-7

Pre65 Scottish Trial – Various published official programmes – Edinburgh & District Motor Club Ltd.

Acknowledgements:

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