Holyrood Palace is is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, and Her Majesty The Queen suggested that this year, the Concours of Elegance should fill its lawn with the most beautiful cars in the world. So they did.
[Full disclosure: Jaguar Land Rover wanted me to visit Edinburgh so bad that they have me a British Racing Green F-Type S with a manual to get there in style.]
If you want to see the greatest display of special cars in the world, go to Goodwood. In fact, you should be at the Goodwood Revival right now. Yet if you prefer some quiet and Concours-quality machinery gathered from all around the world in beautiful surroundings, the Concours of Elegance should tick all the boxes. It’s nothing crazy like Pebble Beach, but the best way to spend a sunny day.
The organizers take this party to a different royal venue every year, and since The Queen suggested the fourth should be at her Scottish crib, they couldn’t really say no, now could they? That was most fortunate, because I can’t think of a background more fitting than the ancient walls of the royal palace with the peaks of Arthur’s Seat behind it.
The sun just kept shining for two days as well, which felt like a rare luxury in Scotland in September.
Don’t think that the owners just shipped their cars to the gates either. Oh no. Instead, many of the 60 entrees completed the 200-mile Highland Tour around the north before parking (and dripping some oil) on that precious grass.
Numerous car clubs sent their best cars here to be carefully examined by judges like Harry Metcalfe, but while they discussed who is worthy of the Club Trophy, the overall winner of the Concours of Elegance was determined by the owners themselves. And the Pullman Trophy went to the 1903 Mercedes Simplex 60 HP.
Peter Mullin didn’t go home empty handed either, as the public voted his 1939 Delehay Type 165 and its stunning Figoni et Falaschi body the prettiest of them all.
Now, it’s time to pick your favorites...
Photo credit: Bryn Musselwhite, Tim Scott, Paul Madden and Dominic Hinde
Contact the author at mate@jalopnik.com.