Members of Caithness and Sutherland Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club (CSVCVC) turned out in great numbers for a special memorial run along the far north coast on Sunday (October 1).

The run was the second to be held in memory of club stalwart David Green who died on October 5 last year and was formerly managing director and owner of Green & Cameron building contractors.

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CSVCVC member Les Bremner said: "We're having our second outing of the David Green Memorial Run which was established last year at the end of October. David was a stalwart of our club, a very able member and helped us out enormously over the years; not just at the John O'Groats rally but with all the other runs we had."

Les said the route started at Thurso and went on to Melvich for a pit-stop and some refreshments at the Coastline Coffee Shop. Many drivers from Sutherland joined the group there after travelling across the road from Helmsdale. The group then drove to Tongue where there was another stop and the final leg was to Durness where they had lunch at the Smoo Cave Hotel at around 1pm.

It was important to stick to the timetable or the trip would defragment along the way, added Les. In case of breakdowns, there are members who are able mechanics and available to help out. Most of the older vehicles run on leaded petrol but some have been converted to take the unleaded available at garages. "Some use a Redex additive," he said. "When I have my old MG here it actually runs on petrol and paraffin. I use one litre of paraffin to every nine litres of petrol."

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David Green's widow Ethel was journeying along with her grandson James Green and his family. "We're driving the Wolseley 1500 from 1957 today – that was David's favourite," said Ethel. A BMW from David's collection of vintage cars was also out on the run and driven by Green & Cameron's secretary.

Just before the group set off from a drizzly car park at Thurso harbour, James Green, grandson of David and vice chairman of the club, said: "The forecast says it's going to brighten up as the day goes on so hopefully when we get out to the wild west there'll be some sunshine. We're really looking forward to it and there are a few cars lined up to meet us at Melvich that are coming up from the Sutherland side." James reckoned around 40 vehicles would take part in the event.

John O'Groats businessman Walter Mowat was journeying along with his partner in a 1998 Jaguar. "It's quite difficult for me to get away but now it's the end of the season at the First and Last [tourist shop] I've enough staff to cover," said Walter.

"I'm always involved in the rally at John O'Groats and I always encouraged David Green when he started his first rallies down on the campsite at the village. That must have been around 40 years ago." Walter said that David had actually helped him create the First and Last shop by making the base it sits on in his role as a builder.

George Sutherland had travelled up from Edderton via the Helmsdale road to link up with the group at Melvich. A long-term club member, George was driving his Mercedes 500 SL on the day. "When I left home today the rain was horrendous with pools of water everywhere. It was only when I got to Helmsdale that it started easing off."

The CSVCVC members put around a bucket to get some charity cash together for a good cause and raised £350 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

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