Machines dating from as far back as 1942 were on display to an admiring audience in Guildford Square before the rally set off for a tour of the island's roads and moors amid clouds of exhaust fumes and cheers from the crowd.

The road run itself was waved off with a customary cheery smile from entertainer Johnny Beattie, while the Bute Ceilidh Band's music ensured all involved were in a celebratory mood.

Notable entries this year included a four-strong group from Kirkcowan in Wigtownshire, a Case-IH 5150 driven by Bruce Clark from Ontario in Canada (though we were assured he didn't come all the way to Bute just for the rally!), and a 1970 Leyland 154 driven by Wallace Lapsley from Girvan which took a trailer-ful of passengers along the full length of the route, giving new meaning to the notion of an 'open top tour'!

Some £1,500 was raised for the two chosen charities of this year's rally – HM Coastguard's Bute team and Crossroads (Caring for Carers) through entry fees, sponsorship and donations from members of the public on Saturday morning.