Back to Duns: Jim Clark Celebration Weekend at the Castle

After a week travelling through the heart of Scotland—along quiet lochs, sweeping glens, and some of the finest driving roads the country has to offer—we found ourselves drawn back to Duns. This time, it was for the Jim Clark Celebration Weekend, held in the grounds of the stunning Duns Castle, marking the 60th anniversary of Jim Clark’s iconic 1965 season: Formula 1 World Champion and Indy 500 winner in the same year.

Pulling into the castle grounds, the atmosphere was already building. Ahead of us, a smart Range Rover eased through the gates—and in the back, unmistakable, was Sir Jackie Stewart himself. A surreal and fitting welcome.

Even the car park was a show in its own right. A gorgeous BMW E9 3.0, rally-raid Lamborghinis, sleek XK Jaguars, and a mix of road and competition machinery set the tone before we’d even stepped through the gate.

We arrived just in time to catch the demo runs up the hill, with none other than Dario Franchitti leading the charge in the iconic Lotus 49—its bark echoing off the trees as it climbed away from the castle. Behind it came an array of machinery spanning decades of motorsport: cars that had once been driven by Jim Clark himself, beautifully presented and run as they should be.

From there, the day unfolded into a sun-drenched celebration of everything Jim Clark stood for. We wandered among original F1 cars, rows upon rows of Lotus Cortinas, and a remarkable variety of classic and modern Lotus road cars. Elans, Europas, Esprits, and Elises stretched out across the lawns, each with its own story, each part of the Clark legacy in some way.

There were unforgettable moments, too. A photo with Dario, a handshake from Sir Jackie (a firm one, no surprise there), and the chance to examine legendary cars up close, some of which haven't been seen much publicly since they came off the track in period.

A relaxed stroll through the road car display capped off the afternoon. The sun shone, spirits were high, and history felt alive. Events like this don’t come around often, and we’re incredibly glad we made the return trip. It’s not every day you stand a few feet from legends—both people and machines.