The rumble of engines shook Angus at the weekend as more than 150 Harley-Davidson riders rolled in for a historic pit stop.
An impressive cavalcade of bikers from as far afield as Spain and Holland were in the Brechin area to visit the restored birthplace of the father of Arthur Davidson co-creator of the world’s most famous motorcycle brand.
More than 2,000 people packed the town centre for a festival of bands, food and beer, as Netherton Cottage by Aberlemno was officially opened to the public.
The project to bring the tiny but ‘n’ ben back to how it would have been in the 1850s has been a labour of love for friends and owners Maggie Sheritt, Mike Sinclair (55) and Keith Macintosh, who bought the site four years ago and set up the Davidson Legacy group.
”When we bought the cottage it was completely run-down and had no roof it was just a ruin,” said Maggie. ”Because we knew the past of the cottage and its historical importance, we felt that if something wasn’t done to save it then it could be lost forever.
”I think visitors will really get a feel for what life was like for the Davidson family. We wanted something that was living and I think we have created that. The thing about Harley owners is they are fanatical and it is a whole lifestyle for a lot of them.”
The cottage was renovated using local labour and residents in Aberlemno have fully supported of the idea since its inception. Once up and running, bikers will be able to hire the venue as accommodation, with a separate modern amenity block already constructed alongside the building.
The majority of the funding for the venture has come from the three owners, with assistance provided by the Scottish Rural Development Programme and the Angus and Dundee Tourism Partnership.
It took years of funding and planning applications and the will to battle through calamities such as the roof falling in, vandalism and a major crack in a gable end for the project get to its current stage.
Nick Hide, a researcher at the Clan Davidson Association, said the area would now become a Mecca not only for bikers, but for Davidsons from across the globe.
”This is an incredible story and I have been up here supporting the project for some time,” he said. ”People from all over the world will travel here to see this and I think it is a really important community project that very few people would have stuck with and seen through.
”I think it is important to Angus and the whole area in terms of tourism.”
Attending the unveiling ceremony was Juan Renau, who organises a Harley bikers chapter in Alicante in Spain and rides a 2007 Softail Fatboy. He said plans were in place for Spanish riders to visit the cottage as early as next year. And he predicted bikers from across the world would make a ”pilgrimage” to the site in Scotland.
Juan added: ”I think it is fantastic for Angus and for Scotland that we have found out more about this building.”
Sid Brand (55) from Dundee, who is a member of the Dunedin chapter of Harley owners based in Scotland, rested his Ultra Glide Screaming Eagle in Brechin’s Clerk Street, which was completely closed off as a parking area.
”I think this is going to become one of the only Harley-Davidson historical sites in the whole of Scotland,” he said. ”It’s great that Davidson Legacy have managed to get the evidence to prove the family lived here and have carried out so much research.
”Harley riders will come from all over the enjoy the beautiful countryside and friendly people we have seen here today.”
Find out more at thedavidsonlegacy.com