Monte Carlo Historique 2015

Back at Paisley for the second year running, the Monte Carlo Historique rally again chose Abbey Close as one of its starting locations for 2015.

It's always good to see the classic cars presented for the public to admire.

With the race starting in the evening, camera shutter speeds were low. This meant that most of my photos were taken while the cars were static.

Volkswagen Golf

Mini Cooper

Ford Escort Mk 1

A little bit of last minute route planning in a Sunbeam Talbot Extreme

Saab 96

Spare wheel on a Morgan +8

A pair of Austins, A40 and Mini

Lotus Cortina

Cars lined up for the start of the rally

Triumph Dolomite Sprint

Paisley Abbey providing a colourful backdrop

Opel Kadett setting out for Monte Carlo

MGB GT waiting to start the race

Monte Carlo Historique Rally

One of the starting points for the 2014 Monte Carlo Historique Rally was Paisley. The cars gathered at Abbey Close, where a large crowd came along to view these beautiful cars.

The rally started shortly before 6pm with cars departing at 1 minute intervals. By this time darkness had fallen which caused problems with the sharpness of some of my pictures.

I have only added a few of my pictures below. More can be viewed on my Picasa gallery

Paisley Abbey plays host to the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014

Advertising for the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014 at Paisley Abbey

1958 Standard 10 waiting to lead off on the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014

Car 317, a Riley 1.5, being prepared for the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014

Made in Scotland, a Clan Crusader waits to start the Monte Carlo Historique rally 2014

Morgan 4+4 hopes to get off to a flying start on the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014

Car 0 ready to start the Monte Carlo Historique rally 2014

Drivers waiting for the start of the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014

Chrysler Sunbeam sets off on the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014

BMW 1802 at the start of the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014

Austin Healey Sprite (Frogeye) sets off on the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014

Royal National Mod 2013

The 2013 Mod kicked off in spectacular style with a torchlit parade down Paisley's High street.

The pipe band were accopanied on the parade by a group of school children carying torches.

The event showed that there is a strong interest in gaelic and I'm sure the Mod organisers were delighted with the lcal interest in the event.

Renfrewshire Witch Hunt, finale

The 7 accused were taken by by horse and carriage to Abbey close.

There, a stage was erected for the trial. The accused each gave a speech to the crowd pleading their innocence. The outcome was a foregone conclusion - guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death.

As this was before the 9pm watershed, we could not witness the gory executions so a symbolic torchlit procession cuncluded a very enjoyable day.

The 7 accused being taken through the streets of Paisley

Katherine Campbell, the Shaw's maid

Margaret Lang pleading for mercy

Margaret Fulton going to Fairyland

Closing procession

Renfrewshire Witch Hunt 1697

A wonderful re-enactment was performed in Paisley town centre today of this historic event. Full marks to everyone who took part.

The story tells the tale of a young girl, Christian Shaw who fell ill after an argument with one of the household maids and the maid is then alleged to have put a curse on the girl.

Christian Shaw

 Christian's condition worsened, and after being seen by several doctors who could not cure her, she accused the maid and six others of witchcraft.

Christian's parents

Townsfolk

The 7 accused being taken to trial

Oban & Lorn Highlander

Pulled by 2 class 37 Diesel locos, she stopped for a couple of minutes at Paisley yesterday to collect some passengers before heading for Oban.