Hans J Marter

15 January, 2005

SHETLAND is hosting a friendly “mass invasion” of Harley Davidson riders from all over northern Europe, in May this year.

The Shetland Gathering 2005 follows a successful visit of the Lyon Harley Owners Group, from France, in summer last year.

Now the organisers of last year’s event are working on something bigger that will see around 100 of these beautiful motorbikes visiting and touring the isles.

Colin Fraser of Shetland Islands Cruiser (SIC) said: “This could be the biggest motorbike event in Shetland for some time, even allowing for Shetland’s own annual Simmer Dim Rally at mid-summer.

“It will certainly be a first for Harleys, although the visit by the Lyon HOG Chapter was a brilliant taster.”

The event is being publicised in Harley-Davidson clubs throughout Europe and especially Norway, Sweden, Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Harleys from Scotland and England are expected to join in.

Mr Fraser said the bikers would arrive onboard the ferry Norröna from Denmark on Sunday, 22 May, and stay in the isles until Friday, 27 May.

He said: “This means that there will be three days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) of ride-out tours around Shetland, as well as possibly other events, and certainly at least one big party celebration! Recovery day is the Thursday!”

Further details are being made available on the club’s website at www.six29.co.uk/sic/index.htm.   For further information, please contact Mr Fraser on fraser.frakkafield@zetnet.co.uk