27th February 2012
The Scott Trial is a British motorcycle trials competition run over an off road course of approximately 84 miles and is one of the most challenging trials events in the UK appealing to clubman riders as well as international professionals. Off-roading on moorland is not permitted via Open Access or on footpaths (both of which are for those on foot only), but special permission is granted each year by Moorland Association members in Swaledale for The Scott Trial to follow a carefully planned route that minimises damage to the environment. The Scott raises money for the “Scott charities”, a range of local non-profit making organisations. The Trial is so demanding and conditions often very difficult that often only a fraction of the starters manage to finish.
The Scott Trial began in 1914 when Alfred Angas Scott, inventor and founder of the Scott Motorcycle Company challenged the workers at his factory to ride from the factory in Shipley through the Yorkshire Dales to Burnsall, a riverside village near Grassington. Of the 14 starters only 9 finished. The event was reintroduced after the First World War in 1919 and although Alfred Scott died in 1923 the event continued to be run by the Scott workers until 1926. The event moved to Blubberhouses near Harrogate, followed by a move to Swainby in the North York Moors until 1950 the Scott Trial was moved to Swaledale, one of the northernmost dales in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, where it has remained to this day and is now run by the Richmond Motor Club took over.
Said Chris Wallis, Scott Trial Secretary: “The members of The Moorland Association have been great supporters of the Scott Trial since it moved to Swaledale in 1950 and the Scott Committee is very grateful for the permission to run the Trial across these great private estates. The year round management of the grouse moors of Swaledale has conserved the beautiful open heather landscape that gives the Trial the most stunning scenery to pass through. During the event spectators and competitors alike always get a thrill from seeing wonderful moorland birdlife such as the iconic red grouse and a host of birds of prey like buzzards, kestrels and merlin that grouse moor management helps support.”
