Why are Lambretta scooter fans riding to Ayr?
It is an invasion that might have created panic among locals in the 1960s.More than 1,000 Lambretta scooter enthusiasts are descending on Ayr this weekend, coming from as far afield as Canada, Australia and Argentina. The reason is that the region is hosting the 34th Euro Lambretta Jamboree, a worldwide gathering for fans of the famous Italian brand.It is the first time the event has been held in Scotland since the 2004 edition, which took place in Kelso.
The days of mods and rockers scrapping by the seaside are long gone and John McMillan, the chairman of the Lambretta Club of Scotland, told BBC Scotland News camaraderie and friendship will be key aspects of the event, held at Ayr racecourse. "Speak to anyone at the event and they'll be your best pal," says John, a Lambretta devotee since he was 10 in 1979. "Whether they're from Sweden or Germany or wherever, they'll be friendly. After the gala dinner on Saturday, everyone will be swapping T-shirts of their different clubs. "I've got an Austrian one from a couple of years ago, for example. There's folk riding 1,000 miles just to speak to other enthusiasts, which says a lot about the community." Entertainment planned throughout the weekend includes various ride-outs, repair workshops and a parade of vintage models.
Lambrettas were designed by Ferdinando Innocenti in Milan in the late 40s and their popularity in the UK peaked in the late 50s and 60s with the rise of mod culture.Scooters were considered essential to the movement, along with sharp suits and a love of bands such as the Who and the Small Faces.The brand itself ran into difficulty the following decade but scooter culture continued to be popular, tied to the two-tone movement in the late 70s and a revival of the mods. It was around this time the Lambretta captured John's attention for the first time. "I went to Scarborough on holiday with my mum and dad," he recalled. "A group of scooters went past and that was me – I saw Quadrophenia [ a film inspired by the Who's 1973 concept album] at the same time and I was hooked. "All I wanted was a Lambretta. The one I currently use I've had since I was 17, so it's been there for almost the whole of my life."
An accountant by trade, John and his club colleagues have prepared various Scottish entertainment for their guests, including a ceilidh and a pipe band. It is a chance for John to return the favour to other enthusiasts, having travelled abroad on many occasions himself."I remember in 1991 being on my first trip abroad where I met my friend Franco at a Mod rally in Rimini. "We've been pals ever since – I'll go over every other year to Italy to see him. The last big trip I did was 2017 in Italy, and it was four days travelling there and four days back."It's just the fun you have on these trips. It's getting away, having a laugh and just riding with your pals. You see things on the scooter. It's not like you're on a big bike, you can appreciate it all."
Around 1,300 people are expected to attend the gathering in Ayr, a big jump from the 500 or so devotees who came to the Kelso show in 2004.Ironically, John will be the only one in that number missing a scooter - as he is bringing so many things he is having to take a car there instead.However his love for the scooter will always be present. "They're these stupid looking wee shopping trollies that we've all fallen in love with. It's just part of your life now."
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