https://ift.tt/mTuI2d3

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland Trip – 17th to 21st August 2026.

🗺️ Greenlaw, Gordon, Barrhead, Glengarnock, Paisley, Linwood, Kilsyth, Glasgow…

Just a travel day on Monday, due to a few diary changes, and we headed north, with a stop off in Bamburgh on the way. Following an overnight stay in Coldstream in some dubious lodgings we headed over to our first call of the day, on Tuesday morning, to Greenlaw, where it was lovely to meet Hamish, his wife and their three lovely woofers.

His 2002 TF 135 in Le Mans Green (HFN) was in need of a minor service and his wife’s 2001 MGF Steppy in Nightfire Red (CHQ) was needing a check over. Hamish had recently gone to start the car and it wouldn’t turn over, so rather than force it he waited for us to come over, which was definitely the right thing to do.

We suspected from the description that it may have aqua-locked, so the plugs were removed and on cranking over, sure enough, coolant shot out of the cylinder head. We then had a look into the cylinders with the boroscope and it looks as though there isn’t any further damage, fortunately. We had already set aside a date for it to come down to the workshop, so Hamish will bring it down, as planned, in a couple of weeks.

From there we went over to Gordon where it was lovely to see Alasdair again and his 2003 TF 135 in British Racing Green (HAM), that was also due a minor service. It was great to meet his very lovely new Woofer, Angus too. After a cuppa and a good catch-up we were on our way to our next destination. Thanks to Alasdair for the bag of butties and biscuits.

Following an overnight stay in some extremely good digs in Barrhead we found ourselves in Glengarnock on a wet Wednesday morning.

This time for work on only one of Alan’s fleet! Rear calipers, discs and pads all replaced on his 2003 TF 160. Glenn then came over in his 85th Anniversary for some work. He’d found himself down a rabbit hole on Mike Satur’s shop and had treated the car to Black Diamond discs and pads, stainless pins and plates for the front calipers, the rear big brake kit conversion, complete with new 280 mm discs and new pads. Sorry didn’t get any pics, too rainy. Maybe Glenn will pop some up below.

It was really great to see Alan and Glenn and have a catch-up, and especially nice to meet the new fluffy and very bouncy edition to the family, Gus, not forgetting beautiful Mabel (aka Molly) and Darcy who was staying over. Not many pictures of cars at Alan’s this time but lots of woofers instead!

From there we then headed over to Paisley for the evening, with an early, but short commute along to Linwood on Thursday morning, where it was great to meet James and his 2003 TF 135 in Anthracite (LQW) that we’d last worked on with the previous owner.

Full cambelt service carried out, having to resort to Plan B as the engine mount bolts weren’t going to move. James had noticed a loss of coolant a couple of days before our visit, which we found was due to a split in one of the hoses, this was duly repaired and replaced. Thanks to his friend for the use of his driveway and the brew and nice to meet his very cute woofer Pippa.

From there we went along to Kilsyth where is was lovely to see Colin again and his 2003 TF 135 Sprint in Xpower Grey (LEF), the cambelt was due again and Colin reminded us that we had to resort to Plan B the last time, so with a second Plan B of the day we got this done for him. Along with replacing the reverse-light switch and a steering wheel that Colin had sprayed to match the car. More furry fusses with his beautiful girl, Luna.

It was good to catch-up with Colin again, thanks to him for the butties and chocolate biscuits, plus another very good recommendation for a walk in the area, which I took myself off on that afternoon.

Following an overnight stay in Kilsyth, we headed over to Glasgow this Friday morning. Ross’s 2003 TF 135 in Royal Blue (JFM) was due the minor service. Plus he’d had a few advisories on the last MOT. Both front top arms packed with grease and a top ball joint replaced and he’s good to go. Cambelt service is due next September so a date to return next August is in the planner.

Thanks to Ross for the cuppas and to have fusses with his two beautiful huskies, one of which reminded us very much of our beloved Buster.

It’s been a very dog friendly week this week! We’re almost back home now, a bit of a long schlep and many hold ups, to be expected on a Friday afternoon. Thanks again to everyone for the warmest of welcomes over the border. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🐶

Have a wonderful weekend everyone near and far. 😎 – https://ift.tt/mTuI2d3