Taking the trip from his Berlin home to Aberdeenshire in his stride - receiving a prize, with his Norton Atlas, for the furthest-travelled competitor at the Alford Cavalcade - Sandy Cheyne has gone on to win a magnificent crystal vase for the best Concours motorcycle, with his Royal Enfield.


Sandy Cheyne wins the Harthill Castle Trophy for Best Motorcycle, at the 36th Garioch Vehicle Restoration Society Annual Rally, with his 1919 Royal Enfield, restored by Robin James. Credit: Copyright photograph
But the coveted Harthill Castle Trophy, in the Garioch Vehicle Restoration Society Rally at Oldmeldrum, came to him only after he had dealt with a net-full of butterflies in his stomach about starting the 1919 Royal Enfield 970cc V-twin. (There’s a knack to it, as veteran owners of the marque know.) “With the various levers in the right place, though, it started,” he recalls. “I soon clocked-up more than a hundred very enjoyable miles at a relaxed and leisurely pace, enjoying the scenery and feeling in tune with the surrounding countryside.”

Sandy’s mood of relaxation was not to last right through the Rally. After a long list of awards made no mention of him or his Royal Enfield, he set off for home, downcast that the best motorcycle there (he was sure!) had failed to win anything. An official jumped over a fence and ran along the road towards him, however, waving his arms and shouting: “Stop! Come back! You’ve won a trophy!” The announcer had saved the best news until last.

Reflects Sandy: “Restoring the Royal Enfield cost me a great deal of money but every time I look at it, and see the admiration in the eyes of others, I say to myself ‘It was worth every penny’.

“Thanks, Robin James!”

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