The Scottish Borders is usually a place of rolling hills and quiet market towns. But every May, the silence around Duns is shattered by the high-octane scream of Rally2 engines and the smell of hot tarmac. It’s the Jim Clark Memorial Rally. Honestly, if you haven’t stood by a hedge in Berwickshire while a Ford Fiesta flies past at 100mph, you haven’t lived.
It's a legendary event. Named after the double Formula One World Champion Jim Clark—a local hero who farmed nearby—it’s been a staple of the British motorsport calendar since 1970. But it’s also an event that has faced more than its fair share of tragedy and survival.
The 2025 Incident: A Weekend Cut Short
People often ask why the Jim Clark Memorial Rally carries such an emotional weight. The 2025 event was supposed to be a massive celebration—the longest route in a decade. We had 260 competitors lined up, including huge names from the British, Scottish, and National Asphalt championships.
But on Saturday, May 24, 2025, everything stopped.
A tragic accident occurred that resulted in the death of co-driver Dai Roberts. He was 39. Dai was a powerhouse in the passenger seat, a guy known for being the "calming presence" in a sport that is anything but calm. When the news broke, the Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club made the only call they could: they cancelled the rest of the rally and the following day’s Reivers Rally.
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It was a gut punch. Especially because this event had fought so hard to return after the dark days of 2014, when three spectators lost their lives. That 2014 incident changed everything. It led to new Scottish legislation and a complete rethink of how we watch cars on closed public roads.
Why the 2026 Return is Different
If you're planning to head to the 2026 Jim Clark Memorial Rally—which is locked in for May 22–24—you're going to see a very different setup. The organisers are moving forward with a "fresh format." Basically, they’re trying to balance the heritage of the event with the absolute necessity of modern safety.
Friday night is the hook. There’s something kinda magical about the "night-time tradition." Four special stages under the floodlights. It’s gritty. It’s fast. Saturday is where the real endurance kicks in, with 65 miles of competition across six stages.
Then you’ve got Sunday’s Jim Clark Reivers Rally. It’s the "finale." 58 miles of flowing tarmac. It’s where guys like Euan Thorburn and Garry Pearson usually go toe-to-toe for local bragging rights.
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The Stages: Where to Actually Stand
Most people get the "spectator" thing wrong. They try to sneak into the prohibited areas for a better photo. Don’t. Seriously. The "no spectator" zones on stages like Bothwell or Blackadder are there for a reason.
If you want the real experience, you head to Langton Mill. It’s iconic. Why? The water splash.
- The Splash: Watching a car hit the water at Gavinton is the quintessential Jim Clark experience.
- The Hairpin: Right after the splash, there's a tight hairpin that tests a driver's handbrake technique to the limit.
- The Access: You can get there via Gavinton village, and there’s usually a big car park that makes life easy.
Another gem is the Fogo stage. It’s three miles south of Duns. It’s fast. It’s twisty. It crosses the Blackadder Water and goes through the old Marchmont Station. There’s a hairpin left at Ladyflat that offers a killer vantage point.
The Local Impact (It's Not Just About Cars)
Duns is the heart of this thing. During the rally weekend, the Town Square becomes a service park. It’s a sensory overload. You’ve got air guns whining, mechanics scrambling, and a giant screen broadcasting live stage times.
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The local economy basically lives for this weekend. The Blackadder Mini Market, the local pubs, the B&Bs—they’re all packed. It brings in thousands of people. And honestly, the "Jim Clark" name is a brand here. You can’t walk ten feet without seeing a tribute to the "Flying Scot."
Surviving the Tarmac
Rallying on tarmac is a different beast than the gravel stages of Wales. It’s less about "sliding" and more about "precision." One wheel on the grass (a "cut") can bring a handful of mud onto the road, making it like ice for the next car.
Keith Cronin has mastered this. He’s won the event three times (2012, 2022, 2024). He knows these roads. He knows that the Berwickshire lanes are narrow, bordered by unforgiving stone walls and thick hedges. There is zero room for error.
Actionable Advice for Your Visit
If you are heading to the Borders for the next one, here is how to not ruin your weekend:
- Download What3Words: The organizers now use this to pinpoint spectator car parks (like zebra.threaded.escaping for Langton). It saves you from getting lost in a maze of closed backroads.
- Get the Programme: It’s not just a souvenir. It has the "First Car Due" (FCD) times. If you’re late, the roads are closed, and you’re stuck behind a barrier three miles from the action.
- Respect the Marshals: These guys are volunteers. They get a goody bag and a voucher for their trouble. If they tell you to move, move.
- Visit the Museum: While you're in Duns, go to the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum. It puts the whole rally into perspective. You see the cars he drove—the Lotuses, the Cortinas—and you realize why this rally matters so much to the community.
The Jim Clark Memorial Rally is a survivor. It’s an event that honors the past while constantly being forced to adapt to a safer, more regulated future. It’s loud, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s undeniably Scottish.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Check the 2026 Dates: Mark May 22–24 in your calendar.
- Book Accommodation Now: Places in Kelso and Duns fill up six months in advance.
- Monitor the Official Site: Keep an eye on the official Jim Clark Rally website for the 2026 "Regulation" releases and spectator maps.