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Here are the words of the ‘Bentley Prayer’ from the bearded Elgin-based cleric who covers lots of churches in the East of Scotland up to the Shetlands:

 

‘May the road rise up to meet you,

‘May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your faces,

And the rain fall softly upon your bonnet.

And until we meet again

May the spirit of W.O.* be with you.’

 

*Walter Owen Bentley who founded in July 1919 the legendary British luxury car company which bears his name.

 

Church of Scotland Minister and vintage Bentley owner, the Reverend Ian Murray gave a stirring blessing to the drivers and their cars before they headed off on their 1,260 mile epic adventure - which drew a hearty round of applause

 

Following a grand celebratory dinner on Friday night at the 16th century Castle of Mey – home to the late Queen Mother (on Saturday 16 March) - the procession of Bentleys set off from John O’Groats, close to the northernmost point of Britain, along the Caithness coastline before heading south to the 22,000 acre Novar Estate near Dingwall, stopping off en route at Dunbeath Castle and Glenmorangie House.

 

After a day’s break at the Novar Estate, the tour resumes (on Monday 18 March) with the cavalcade travelling through the mountains of the North West Highlands, along the stunning North West 500 route past the historic Eilean Donan castle, down to the Kyle of Lochalsh and over the new road bridge to the Isle of Skye and the luxury Kinloch Lodge hotel owned by Lord and Lady Macdonald, the latter better known as celebrity chef Claire Macdonald.

 

Stop-offs will be made at Ledgowan Lodge Hotel at Achnasheen and Attadale House in Wester Ross.

 

On Tuesday (19 March) the tour continues by ferry back to the mainland, through the Highlands and heads to the Isle of Eriska Hotel Spa & Golf resort, punctuated with stops at the Invergarry Hotel at Invergarry and Inverlochy Castle Hotel near Fort William.

 

More than 70 cars – from the glory days of the racing ‘Bentley Boys’ in the 20s and ‘30s to the latest Bentayga 4X4 - are taking part for at least part of the fortnight-long ‘Centenary Extraordinary Drive’ from Scotland to Surrey organised by the Banbury-based Bentley Drivers’ Club

 

Businessman Roland Frey and his wife Helen are taking their 1928 four and a half litre Bentley and are suitably attired in warm vintage leather coats and head-gear. Among the oldest cars committed for the full trip are a 1927 4.5-litre Van den Plas, a 1928 4.5-litre Le Mans Tourer, and a 1930 Speed 6.

 

Old and new: Roland Frey and his wife Helen pose with a much newer Bentley Continental, which is also taking part in the trip.

 

Businessman Roland Frey and his wife Helen cut a real dash in their mammoth 1928 4½ (four and a half) litre Bentley.

 

Suitably attired in warm vintage leather coats and head-gear to battle the changeable weather, the couple have already covered more than 40,000 miles in their historic open topped tourer since they bought it five years ago – including 11,000 miles touring the USA - and have more adventures in store.

 

Swiss-born Mr Frey, who lives in the UK with his British wife said: ‘It’s a great hobby.

 

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