Collision Course on Ben
A BID to get a classic car onto the top of Ben Nevis to mark a motoring landmark has hit the bumpers....
Organisers of a Fort William classic car rally want to recapture the moment when Henry Alexander drove a Model T Ford to the top of the biggest mountain in Britain.
Provost Allan Henderson (left) and Model T Ford
owner Iain Blyth. Iain Ferguson, The Write Image
This has disappointed organisers, who had hoped the stunt would form the highlight of the week-long event in May 2011 which they hope more than 100 enthusiasts from the UK and foreign shores will descend on the town with their vintage vehicles.
But they hope the trust will reconsider their request – and are being backed all the way by Lochaber Provost Allan Henderson.
Local Model T enthusiast Iain Blyth, who runs Autocraft All Terrain Vehicles at Kinlocheil, near Fort William, told the Lochaber News: "We feel the event will be something to celebrate and put Fort William on the map.
"After all, Alexander's achievement did just that in 1911.
"It's proposed to have a week-long celebration, featuring music and other fun events with the pinnacle of the week hopefully being the landing of the Model T, the first car for the masses, on the summit of the Ben.
"However, it's really disappointing that the John Muir Trust have said no straightaway, without really giving us a chance to sit down and discuss it in detail.
"We don't think there will be anything for the trust to worry about.
"We've approached a helicopter firm in Inverness and they've assured us that there would be virtually no down-draft which could pose any threat to the summit.
"Obviously that's vital for us too, because the Model T would be vulnerable to damage. We value the car as much as the summit and we all have the utmost respect for the Ben's fragile landscape, which the trust does a magnificent job in maintaining.
"This is not some Jeremy Clarkson-style stunt we're proposing."
Mr Blyth, who has run his Autocrafts business for 30 years and who owns an original 1911 Model T, added: "We're absolutely willing to co-operate with the John Muir Trust but at the moment it's like they don't want to know us. It's just disappointing they've dismissed it out of hand.
"I'd like us to get talking. We want to put Fort William on the map, bring people to the area and also have a bit of fun at the same time."
The John Muir Trust failed to respond to a request from the Lochaber News for a comment.
The matter had been raised with it by Provost Henderson, who
Henry Alexander's successful bid to get a
Model T to the summit of the Ben.
Andrew Campbell, head of land management, continued: "One of the main aims of the John Muir Trust with regard to Ben Nevis is to protect and restore the wild character and landscape of the Ben and part of our vision is for all those who visit the summit to be touched by the sense of wilderness that this high altitude mountain environment can convey.
"I appreciate that this stunt is to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the previous Model T Ford being taken to the summit and would form one of the possible events during the week of the rally.
"However, allowing this to happen will contravene our own principles and aims for the area as well as potentially set a precedent for other similar activities which we may feel are detrimental to the summit environment and to the wild land experience of other walkers and climbers."
Mr Campbell added that he understood the multi-agency Nevis Partnership were also not in favour of the proposal.
Provost Henderson told the LN: "It is disappointing to get such a negative response, especially when such a big lead in time has been given to alleviate any problems.
"I fully understand the aims of the trust, while not always agreeing with them because of the negative impact on economic factors and growth in the rural areas in which we live.
"I certainly would always encourage responsible behaviour and would expect nothing less from this group of enthusiasts.
"This stunt is a one-off and would certainly not set a precedent and, other than a brief fly over by a helicopter, would not detract from the wilderness of Ben Nevis.
"I really hope the trust will re-look at this proposal and reconsider its decision."
Stuart Taylor | 9th April 2009
http://www.lochaber-news.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/3698/A_collision_course_on_Ben_.html
Photography: Iain Ferguson, The Write Image
