A Brief History
The Caledonia Harley Club started life as a chapter of the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.). Shortly after the first Wallace Rally in 1992, however, the vast majority of the membership left Caledonia H.O.G., which was still quite young, and our own club was formed in 1993. Roddy Smith, a.k.a. “Gruff” (R.I.P.), who led the breakaway, had been the Director of Caledonia H.O.G. He then became the first President of Caledonia Harley Club, a position he held for seven years until his death on his bike “Mo reasan a bhith”. Roddy led the club into the Federation of Harley Davidson Clubs Europe and put Caledonia firmly on the map as the Party Animals Club in Scotland.
Davy Meiklejohn, his able deputy, took over the Presidency and, among other achievements, extended the club’s hand of friendship throughout Europe by organising the Federation’s Presidents Meeting in Edinburgh in 2001. He also presided over the 8th, 9th and 10th Wallace Rallies. Well done Davy!
Davy volunteered Brian Young for the job at the end of his reign, and for the next four years Brian did a great job. His laid back attitude rubbed off on the club and he complemented Davy's work in Europe, increasing attendance of European bikers at our rally, as well as encouraging Caledonia members to travel abroad.
Hazel Borland took over as President in 2005 and for the next three years carried on the tradition with major forays into Europe each year and helped to continue the success of our own rally, The Wallace. At the last European Presidents' Meeting that she attended as Caledonia President, she first put forward the idea of holding the meeting in Edinburgh in 2011 to help celebrate Caledonia's 20th year.
In 2008 Eddie Robertson was elected President of Caledonia. He continued the arduous work of having to attend parties in the UK and Europe and led the successful bid to bring the European Presidents' Meeting to Scotland against fierce competition. This was then held in November 2011, at the Sheriton Hotel, and the E.I.C.C, a very well attended event, and a great time was had by all. This was to be his last Presidents Meeting as President, and didn’t, volunteer the club for any further Federation Event.
2012 brought a new President, this was entrusted to Donald Etherington. This year we will be holding our 21st annual Wallace Rally at Stirling, and intend to attend and are planning some Mainland European Rallies and some more closer to home.
The club's future looks extremely bright and we look forward to many more miles in Europe and the UK.
