Author: Tash Diffey
A Tale of Scooters, Camaraderie, and Scottish Spirit
The anticipation had been building for months since the 2024 Euro in Magny-Cours, France. The prospect of attending another Euro Lambretta —a gathering that stirs the souls of Lambretta enthusiasts across the European region and beyond — was enough to carry us through the routine of our daily lives over the past year. This year’s edition, in Ayr, on Scotland’s South West Coast, promised more than just a rally; it was to be a celebration of Scottish culture, on top of the usual shenanigans involved among friendships without frontiers and everlasting fascination with all things Lambretta. Plus, who could resist the allure of haggis and bagpipes?
Journeying to the UK and Ayr
Two weeks prior to the Euro Lambretta, Steve and I embarked on an epic journey from Sydney, Australia to Poole, in Dorset, England. Our trip took a marathon 44 hours door to door, including a long layover in Singapore (where we practically set up camp), and around 23 hours of inflight yoga (or at least that’s what it felt like). After collecting a rental car at Heathrow and a final 2 hour drive, stopping only for desperate need of caffeine, chocolate and a bathroom, we finally arrived in Poole. This was to be our base for the next week, spent catching up with family and friends, battling jetlag and recovering from our odyssey. Oh, and we also had to visit Dorchester to get Steve’s Lambretta out of storage and ready for our trip to Ayr – twice – after discovering a new exhaust was needed. Because why not add a little more excitement to our lives? Thankfully, Scootopia obliged with a quick delivery, in time for us to set off for Ayr.
On Sunday 22nd June, we set off northbound with our friends from the Dorset Modrapheniacs. Our party (deliberate choice of word there) consisted of 9 people, travelling on 6 Lambrettas, and in 2 vehicles including the all-important back-up van (just in case). For the next 5 days and 4 nights, we managed easy daily distances ranging from 200 to 65 miles. Once again thankful that Steve’s been able to keep his trusty Serveta LI 150 Special stored in the UK for when we visit, like last year, I was a little envious about not being able to ride myself. Though this year, instead of being pillion in the back-up van, I took on a new role to lead the convoy (helped by my GPS), and like a mother duck with her little ducklings following behind in a row, we made our way up north.
Stopping regularly for refuelling and rest (butt) breaks, in mostly dry weather, our route on Sunday and Monday took us through the picturesque Peak and Lake Districts with overnight stays in Derby and Kendal.
Stopping regularly for refuelling and rest (butt) breaks, in mostly dry weather, our route on Sunday and Monday took us through the picturesque Peak and Lake Districts with overnight stays in Derby and Kendal.
On Tuesday we entered Scotland at Gretna Green, where we sticker-bombed the ‘Scotland welcomes you’ sign, and enjoyed afternoon tea in the first house in Scotland, now called ‘Old Toll Bar cafe’, before travelling on to Lockerbie for our overnight stay. There in Lockerbie, we had time to visit memorial sites, and we bumped into a local Lambretta rider who joined us for a few pints and shared stories and his personal photos from that fateful day in history which made Lockerbie infamous.
Wednesday we turned north east to see The Kelpies and ride the impressive Falkirk Wheel, enjoying an overnight stay in Grangemouth, before turning back west to head to Ayr on Thursday.
Plenty of chats and laughter were enjoyed along the way, and I consumed way more food and alcohol than usual. I guess you could call it training for our upcoming weekend!
Plenty of chats and laughter were enjoyed along the way, and I consumed way more food and alcohol than usual. I guess you could call it training for our upcoming weekend!
Arrival in Ayr: First Impressions
On Thursday, we came over the hill through green farmland and down the A77 entering the outskirts of Ayr. We could see the coast in the distance, below overcast skies which threatened rain at any minute. Ayr seemed abuzz with energy. Although this might have been heightened from navigating dodgy country roads on our convoluted route from Falkirk, chosen to avoid motorways. The excitement was real though. Banners fluttered at the entrance to the rally site at Ayr Racecourse, while the smell of two-stroke filled the air and unmistakable sounds of Lambrettas turned heads as they zipped up and down the nearby streets.
With visitors arriving from near and far, the rally site entrance was alive: groups of Lambrettas parked up, many still loaded with luggage and leg shields covered in remnants of assorted aerial wildlife. Some scooters were classic, meticulously restored to their original glory, while others bore bespoke paintwork and customizations that told stories of their own.
Before heading to our digs, we parked our six Lambrettas among all the others at the rally site, and made our way to the registration area.
Before heading to our digs, we parked our six Lambrettas among all the others at the rally site, and made our way to the registration area.
Registration and Reunion
Rally organizers in high-viz welcomed us at the entrance with warmth and Scottish humour (I had to ask them to speak slowly), and they guided us to the registration hub. The process was efficient as we gave our details, and in return were branded with wrist bands, given our rally packs filled with goodies and the event programme, and handed our rally T-shirt. Bumping into some familiar faces in the queue, old acquaintances were rekindled as we exchanged pleasantries and chatted briefly about our journeys to Ayr.
After registration, we headed to our accommodation at the Premier Inn which was about a mile and a quarter back up the road. We pleasantly discovered about 20 or so Lambrettas already parked up, which grew to 30 -40 over the next few hours, indicating this location had been chosen as an unofficial rally site for those not brave enough to camp or glamp at the Racecourse. After checking in, and, realising how far we were from the racecourse and restaurants, we decided to stay at the hotel for the evening. This turned into a mini-reunion with old friends from various Lambretta clubs; and, turned into good fortune for the hotel given the demand on their restaurant and bar that night.
After registration, we headed to our accommodation at the Premier Inn which was about a mile and a quarter back up the road. We pleasantly discovered about 20 or so Lambrettas already parked up, which grew to 30 -40 over the next few hours, indicating this location had been chosen as an unofficial rally site for those not brave enough to camp or glamp at the Racecourse. After checking in, and, realising how far we were from the racecourse and restaurants, we decided to stay at the hotel for the evening. This turned into a mini-reunion with old friends from various Lambretta clubs; and, turned into good fortune for the hotel given the demand on their restaurant and bar that night.
Exploring, stories and knurdling
Friday was the first official day of the rally. The early morning unfolded with a downpour, then the grey skies temporarily held as we made our way to the Racecourse. Attendees from all corners of Europe, and as far as USA, Canada, Argentina and, of course, Australia, mingled around in various places, dodging occasional light rain showers while swapping tales of journeys to Ayr, catching up on life since last encounters, and some having technical discussions about engine upgrades recently installed or customisations being considered
The rally site had lots of options to explore. There were several bars around the Grandstand Area, which we would be enjoying later; and other marquee tents were set up close by for other uses, including a workshop area which offered an undercover place to work if needed. There was also a separate Dyno area; and, positioned across the racetrack inside the middle field, camping and glamping tents were erected, along with portable amenities. There were strict instructions not to cross the racetrack anywhere other than the designated crossing area or risk being ejected from the event. Given the hike involved, we didn’t see any need to bother exploring the camping area!
The soundscape on site was a blend of laughter and chatter, the background drone of Lambrettas coming and going, and a mix of scooter rally music coming from speakers positioned outside one of the bars.
Meanwhile, the dealers’ area in a nearby marquee thrived. There were stalls selling spare parts, tombola & raffle tickets, vintage vinyl, patches, pins, and other memorabilia. There was something for everyone – as long as you had cash! After a quick trip offsite for a cash machine, I came back and wandered around again, trying my luck on the tombola (pleased with the bottle of red wine I won) and buying some raffle tickets for the Jet 200 prize, along with pin badges and other assorted merchandise we could fit into our luggage to take back home to Australia.
Meanwhile, the dealers’ area in a nearby marquee thrived. There were stalls selling spare parts, tombola & raffle tickets, vintage vinyl, patches, pins, and other memorabilia. There was something for everyone – as long as you had cash! After a quick trip offsite for a cash machine, I came back and wandered around again, trying my luck on the tombola (pleased with the bottle of red wine I won) and buying some raffle tickets for the Jet 200 prize, along with pin badges and other assorted merchandise we could fit into our luggage to take back home to Australia.
While Steve and I browsed some of the stalls, we bumped into Chrissy, then Siobhán and Akiko – our fellow LCoA members. We learnt Siobhan’s Targa Twin had broken down following their ride up from Cornwall. Steve assisted Siobhán to track down the spark plugs they needed, wondering why the Targa dealer didn’t have any at his stall. We didn’t end up seeing much of Siobhán over the weekend, turned out the issue took longer to fix; unfortunately ending unsuccessfully with a trip back to Cornwall in a van.
On the Euro Jamboree Facebook group we saw other calls for help, as inevitably, others had also encountered issues riding to the event, to varying degrees. This included a couple from our group, fortunately only minor issues though. Chris had a niggle with his exhaust he had been nursing on his ride up; Steve was concerned about his brakes. Neither issue had stopped them from riding the past 5 days but now we’d arrived in Ayr, some knurdling was warranted before embarking on our return trip back to Dorset. They managed to solve the issues in the carpark over the weekend, thanks to our group’s excellent mechanics and well-prepared back-up van with the right array of tools and spare parts.
On the Euro Jamboree Facebook group we saw other calls for help, as inevitably, others had also encountered issues riding to the event, to varying degrees. This included a couple from our group, fortunately only minor issues though. Chris had a niggle with his exhaust he had been nursing on his ride up; Steve was concerned about his brakes. Neither issue had stopped them from riding the past 5 days but now we’d arrived in Ayr, some knurdling was warranted before embarking on our return trip back to Dorset. They managed to solve the issues in the carpark over the weekend, thanks to our group’s excellent mechanics and well-prepared back-up van with the right array of tools and spare parts.
Friday afternoon was spent in the bar swapping more stories, and reconnecting with more old friends. Steve, ever the social butterfly, managed to track down a few old pals from the old Glasgow Spectrum club who he hadn’t seen since the early 1990’s. He happily indulged in Scotland’s finest pints of 80 shillings heavy, while I dutifully nursed my soft drink like a responsible adult, since I was designated driver. Later that evening, I rewarded my act of self-discipline, by enjoying several G&T’s in the hotel bar, where a few of us congregated for more story-telling.
Show, Shine, and Scottish Hospitality at its Finest
When Saturday dawned bright and early (thanks to long, summertime daylight hours), and we saw only a few clouds blowing across the Scottish sky, we thanked the gods for the positive change in weather. A few of us returned to the rally site to revisit the vendor stalls while Steve stayed back to play with his brakes. We didn’t stay in the marquee long, after experiencing the warmth and ‘man soup’ aroma. Heading back outside for fresh air, we strolled over to the side entrance near the camping area to watch the delayed start of Saturday’s ride-out.
Then, taking advantage of the improved weather, we walked into Ayr’s town centre for some exploring. After a tasty lunch served by friendly locals, we found a nearby Robert Burns statue, then the high street. Although quite a few shops were vacant, we browsed a few, chuckling at some of the store names and admiring the old architecture along the way. There was a constant stream of Lambrettas riding through town and as we crossed the bridge over the pretty River Ayr on our way back to the rally site, we noticed a few obvious scooterists on foot wandering into a local pub – their T-shirts and other attire giving them away.
Then, taking advantage of the improved weather, we walked into Ayr’s town centre for some exploring. After a tasty lunch served by friendly locals, we found a nearby Robert Burns statue, then the high street. Although quite a few shops were vacant, we browsed a few, chuckling at some of the store names and admiring the old architecture along the way. There was a constant stream of Lambrettas riding through town and as we crossed the bridge over the pretty River Ayr on our way back to the rally site, we noticed a few obvious scooterists on foot wandering into a local pub – their T-shirts and other attire giving them away.
The sunshine fully emerged and skies turned blue for the afternoon’s main events. Some gathered in front of the Grandstand Area for the eagerly anticipated Show and Shine ‘Concours D’elegance’ display – that is, those who weren’t in the bar. Here, Lambrettas of all vintages and hues stood shoulder to shoulder, after their owners had fussed over final details. Judges inspected the display, while spectators admired the artistry and effort that had gone into each restoration. From pristine Series 1 models to rare specials and innovative modern custom builds, the diversity on display was breath-taking.
The afternoon’s activities also included a marching pipe band showcasing Scottish hospitality at its finest. We basked in the welcome sunshine as they marched across the grandstand and into the forecourt area, where they proceeded to play us a few familiar tunes, decked out in traditional outfits, and impressing us as they cleverly twirled their drum sticks in the air.
Ride-outs
No Euro Lambretta would be complete without the ride-outs, and Ayr’s edition was no exception. Ride-outs were organized for both Friday and Saturday mornings, offering a scenic 40-50 mile through the Ayrshire countryside and nearby places of interest.
Steve (“I don’t do ride-outs”) and I chose to skip these, given our miles already travelled over the past week. We weren’t the only ones who stayed back to enjoy the rally site, or attend to necessary repairs.
Watching the Saturday participants set off, there were well over a hundred riders in a long cloud of two-stroke smoke. Local residents and other Euro attendees also turned out to wave, some snapping photos, others simply smiling as the colourful and noisy convoy passed by.
Watching the Saturday participants set off, there were well over a hundred riders in a long cloud of two-stroke smoke. Local residents and other Euro attendees also turned out to wave, some snapping photos, others simply smiling as the colourful and noisy convoy passed by.
Official duties and entertainment
This year, I was invited to take on some official duties representing LCoA, as the only committee member from Australia present in Ayr. I had the privilege of attending the President’s meeting on Friday afternoon, where important business was discussed; and on Saturday evening I was honoured to participate in the award presentation ceremony, where I was asked to present the Lambrettista Dell’anno trophy (Lady Lambretta of the year).
Dinner was included on Friday and Saturday evenings, if attendees remembered their meal tickets from their rally packs. Meals were served in a cafeteria format, starting from around 5.30pm. While some thought that was too early to eat, those who arrived later faced long lines, though, fortunately, the lines moved quickly. Friday night’s meal options were a beef stew or vegetarian lasagne. I didn’t realise the lasagne was vegetarian when I chose it but can vouch for it being very tasty (less meat in my diet certainly won’t hurt me either). Saturday evening’s meal was a choice of classic Scottish haggis, a chicken dish or a vegetarian option. The haggis didn’t appeal to me, so I chose the chicken, though everyone who had the haggis said it was delicious.
Due to limited seating areas, after eating, attendees were asked to vacate the tables for others and move to one of the bars upstairs. This worked fine on Friday night however on Saturday evening, the official award ceremony was scheduled for 7.30pm after the dinner service so everyone was invited back into the downstairs room for its start. Unfortunately, there was a delay, and the room became quite crowded, some growing impatient. Eventually the awards started, with brief speeches followed by presentations of the prestigious awards and raffle prize.
The Bo Martin Trophy for Furthest travelled person to the event was awarded to me, which I gratefully accepted on behalf of Steve and myself, having both travelled together almost 17,000km (as the crow flies) from Sydney to Ayr. Then each country’s club representatives presented gifts to the LCS President as a special thanks for their team’s efforts which had made the event such a success.
The Bo Martin Trophy for Furthest travelled person to the event was awarded to me, which I gratefully accepted on behalf of Steve and myself, having both travelled together almost 17,000km (as the crow flies) from Sydney to Ayr. Then each country’s club representatives presented gifts to the LCS President as a special thanks for their team’s efforts which had made the event such a success.
Part of the weekend’s entertainment included DJ’s and bands from midday until closing. Once official duties were completed, dance floors filled with attendees, united by a shared love for the scootering scene and all it represents. Not all stayed until the end of the night though, some of us (including Steve and I) deciding to head back to the unofficial rally site, aka our hotel bar, to continue our conversations and mingling in a quieter environment. In both locations, the mood was upbeat, retelling stories and reminiscing from previous events and encounters. Laughter carried on the cool Scottish air late into the night for some, while for others, bed was beckoning at a more sensible time knowing early departures and many miles were planned for the next morning.
Departures and reflections
As the rally ended on Sunday morning there was a slight melancholy in the air. The early morning was spent packing, exchanging goodbyes, and getting scooters ready for their journeys. With our vehicles loaded and Lambrettas mounted, I navigated us down the A77 to head out of Ayr, mentally bidding farewell, knowing I’m unlikely to ever visit this town again and grateful for the experience the past few days.
Just as we thought it was all over, we enjoyed an unexpected rally encore experience after turning onto the A70, by becoming part of an unofficial ‘ride-out’. I lost count of how many scooters we saw along our route heading East, some riding singularly, others in small clusters. At one point we were behind a group of about 15. We saw others refuelling at service stations in small towns around the 50 mile mark outside Ayr and had a nice chat with an Austrian couple at one stop, learning they were on their way back across Scotland to catch a ferry to Europe’s mainland. Unfortunately, we also saw quite a few Lambrettas parked up in lay-byes, some broken down judging by the side panels resting nearby; others possibly just having a quick smoke break or taking a phone call. I saw a comment on the Euro Jamboree FB Group, which described someone’s similar experience that morning being reminiscent of rallies from the 1980’s. When we finally hit the motorway, we thought we’d seen the last of them only to have a couple fly past us, overtaking us at a speed I cannot fathom on small wheels – I hope there were no speed cameras around!
Just as we thought it was all over, we enjoyed an unexpected rally encore experience after turning onto the A70, by becoming part of an unofficial ‘ride-out’. I lost count of how many scooters we saw along our route heading East, some riding singularly, others in small clusters. At one point we were behind a group of about 15. We saw others refuelling at service stations in small towns around the 50 mile mark outside Ayr and had a nice chat with an Austrian couple at one stop, learning they were on their way back across Scotland to catch a ferry to Europe’s mainland. Unfortunately, we also saw quite a few Lambrettas parked up in lay-byes, some broken down judging by the side panels resting nearby; others possibly just having a quick smoke break or taking a phone call. I saw a comment on the Euro Jamboree FB Group, which described someone’s similar experience that morning being reminiscent of rallies from the 1980’s. When we finally hit the motorway, we thought we’d seen the last of them only to have a couple fly past us, overtaking us at a speed I cannot fathom on small wheels – I hope there were no speed cameras around!
We continued our trip back to Dorset, a shorter journey than our way up, with longer days travelling and only 2 overnight stays, though just as enjoyable. We took a scenic detour to Tan Hill, the highest pub in the British isles, involving a hairy drive through winding, narrow B roads (hairy literally, thanks to some local wildlife refusing to budge on the roadside).
At our overnight stay in Bowes near Barnard Castle, we enjoyed a lovely afternoon walk around the castle and countryside and stayed in a haunted hotel, where oddly, I fluked winning three pool games in a row, having not played for decades (maybe the ‘late’ caretaker was on my side).
On Monday we travelled through scenic Cotswolds villages in rising heatwave conditions. We stopped at Jeremy Clarkson’s ‘The Farmer’s Dog’ pub where I spent way too much in the Diddly Squat farm shop but justified my spend as supporting the local British farming sector. Then we finished our trip with a final overnight stay in Coventry, where we tried to cool down in their beer garden. Frustratingly, they waited until we sat down for dinner to tell us they’d run out of almost every item on the menu – we took it well, making do with what they had, compensating ourselves with more beers and cocktails to celebrate our final night on tour.
Tuesday was the last day of our return journey. Although feeling a little weary (probably from the nightly consumption of alcohol), I reflected on the great times we enjoyed with a fantastic group of people, marvelling at how well everyone behaved at the Euro considering the huge cohort of around 1300 attendees. I also thought about what I might do differently next year, deciding that staying on, or close to, the rally site was a must; and while I previously enjoyed glamping and might be tempted to try it again, the less than ideal campsite bathroom facilities determined my preference for the creature comforts of a B&B, hotel or at least cabins.
Looking Back: The Essence of Euro Lambretta
Reflecting on the trip now we’ve returned back home to Sydney, what stands out most is not just the scooters, but the people. Euro Lambretta is always a reminder that shared passions can unite us across borders and languages. Whether discussing Serveta history with a fellow enthusiast from Spain, chatting with other international club representatives and making new connections from Sweden, Italy and USA, or sharing a pint of heavy with a club member from Glasgow, there was always a sense of belonging, of being part of something larger.
The Scottish setting added a unique dimension: the warmth of the locals, the drama of the landscape, the blend of tradition and modernity. For a few days, Ayr became a crossroads for the Lambretta world—a place where stories were swapped, friendships forged, and memories created that will last a lifetime.
As I look forward to hopefully attending next year’s Euro Lambretta in Austria, I carry with me not just the rally T-Shirt and a few new pins and stickers, but a renewed appreciation for the enduring power of community, adventure, and two wheels spinning down an open road.
The Scottish setting added a unique dimension: the warmth of the locals, the drama of the landscape, the blend of tradition and modernity. For a few days, Ayr became a crossroads for the Lambretta world—a place where stories were swapped, friendships forged, and memories created that will last a lifetime.
As I look forward to hopefully attending next year’s Euro Lambretta in Austria, I carry with me not just the rally T-Shirt and a few new pins and stickers, but a renewed appreciation for the enduring power of community, adventure, and two wheels spinning down an open road.
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