8 Activities
The Jim Clark Trail
Starts from
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
8
Duration
6 hrs 50 min
Length
37 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
6 hrs 50 min
Length
37 mi
- History and Culture
- Unusual Locations
- Family-Friendly
Detour Road Trips
Brand
- Discover the World Champion's roots.
- Uncover historic abandoned race circuits.
- Tour the beautiful Borders.
Scotland's first Formula 1 World Champion left a lasting impact on the Borders region where, as a young farmer, he first learned to drive.
On this day-long excursion you'll visit his family farm, the forgotten race circuits where he first took to the track and the museum that's devoted to this speedy son of Scotland.
On this day-long excursion you'll visit his family farm, the forgotten race circuits where he first took to the track and the museum that's devoted to this speedy son of Scotland.
Categories
- History and Culture
- Unusual Locations
- Family-Friendly
Scotland's first Formula 1 World Champion left a lasting impact on the Borders region where, as a young farmer, he first learned to drive.
On this day-long excursion you'll visit his family farm, the forgotten race circuits where he first took to the track and the museum that's devoted to this speedy son of Scotland.
On this day-long excursion you'll visit his family farm, the forgotten race circuits where he first took to the track and the museum that's devoted to this speedy son of Scotland.
Detour Road Trips
Brand
- Discover the World Champion's roots.
- Uncover historic abandoned race circuits.
- Tour the beautiful Borders.
Day Itinerary
8 Activities
Day 1
37 mi
The Jim Clark Trail
Jim Clark was the greatest Formula 1 driver of his generation and if you want to find out why then there's no better way than to take a tour of the Scottish Borders where he grew up.
Follow this exciting driving route and you'll get a fascinating insight into Scotland’s first Formula 1 World Champion as you steer through the narrow lanes that helped Clark hone his remarkable skills.
Follow this exciting driving route and you'll get a fascinating insight into Scotland’s first Formula 1 World Champion as you steer through the narrow lanes that helped Clark hone his remarkable skills.
Berwick Town Walls
The journey begins in historic Berwick Upon Tweed where, in 1953, Jim Clark first joined the Berwick and District Motor Club to take part in some local rallies and sprints. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.
For those interested in more ancient goings-on the town's 450-year-old walls are well worth exploring. The mile-and-a-quarter fortifications were the most expensive construction of the Elizabethan age and built to keep out the Scots hoards.
Today they remain among the best-preserved ramparts of their era and the 45-minute walk around them is a fantastic way to discover the town's dramatic past.
For those interested in more ancient goings-on the town's 450-year-old walls are well worth exploring. The mile-and-a-quarter fortifications were the most expensive construction of the Elizabethan age and built to keep out the Scots hoards.
Today they remain among the best-preserved ramparts of their era and the 45-minute walk around them is a fantastic way to discover the town's dramatic past.
8.4 mi
20 min
Edington Mains
It was at Edington Mains where Clark learned to drive: first tractors and then his father’s old Alvis. It’s still a working farm today, given over to grain and chickens, but current owner David Runciman welcomes Clark fans who find the turning off the main road from Berwick Upon Tweed.
2.2 mi
5 min
Jim Clark Memorial Clock
The village of Churnside is where Clark went to school and spent much of his time as young lad. The short drive along the A6105 passes through farmland and one can imagine Clark himself speeding down here in his Lotus Elan or Lotus Cortina before arriving at the village where his achievements are celebrated with a memorial clock.
Featuring a bronze portrait of Jimmy and a depiction of his famous Lotus 25, one has to rather hope it's set to run fast.
Featuring a bronze portrait of Jimmy and a depiction of his famous Lotus 25, one has to rather hope it's set to run fast.
0.5 mi
5 min
Chirnside Parish Church
Clark was tragically killed during a Formula 2 race at Hockenheim in Germany in 1968 at the age of just 32. He was at the height of his career, having won two Formula 1 World Championships and the Indy 500, yet the first word on his gravestone is "farmer". Despite his incredible success he remained grounded, maintaining an interest in the family farm throughout his career.
Take a stroll through the churchyard and, even over 50 years since his tragic demise, you're sure to find fresh flowers placed by his fans.
Take a stroll through the churchyard and, even over 50 years since his tragic demise, you're sure to find fresh flowers placed by his fans.
6.6 mi
15 min
Jim Clark Motorsport Museum
This small museum tells Clark’s story through memorabilia, interactive exhibits, and more than 130 trophies spanning his sensational career.
First hand accounts from friends and family reveal Clark's career path from farm lad to Formula 1, while there's also a section devoted to motor racing safety and how his legacy improved the conditions for the drivers that followed.
First hand accounts from friends and family reveal Clark's career path from farm lad to Formula 1, while there's also a section devoted to motor racing safety and how his legacy improved the conditions for the drivers that followed.
0.4 mi
5 min
Jim Clark Cafe Bistro
Just minutes away from the museum is the Jim Clark Café Bistro, which is handy, as by now you'll surely be needing to refuel before finishing the trail. The seasonal menu celebrates local produce and the café's scones and cakes are especially recommended.
The café is open Tuesday to Sunday.
The café is open Tuesday to Sunday.
7.3 mi
15 min
Cefetra Grain Charterhall Duns
This former World War II airbase, which was turned into a track in 1952 and once saw not only Clark, but Mike Hawthorn, Roy Salvadori, Jackie Stewart, and Stirling Moss all compete. It was here that Clark scored his first ever racing victory and attracted the attention of the local Border Reivers race team.
Today it’s difficult to imagine a time when crowds three-deep would gather to watch their local hero as the site is mostly taken over for grain storage.
It's possible to negotiate parts of the track, but the surface has largely disintegrated with age, so be careful
Today it’s difficult to imagine a time when crowds three-deep would gather to watch their local hero as the site is mostly taken over for grain storage.
It's possible to negotiate parts of the track, but the surface has largely disintegrated with age, so be careful
11.8 mi
20 min
Winfield Farm.
Winfield was once home to Scotland's first racing circuit, formed from the runway and taxiways of an old RAF base.
As a young man Clark would join the spectators here and it's where his passion for racing first took hold.
Nowadays the site is a working farm, but there's a public road off the B6461 which cuts right across the crumbling runway upon which Clark would land his private plane at the height of his success.
As a young man Clark would join the spectators here and it's where his passion for racing first took hold.
Nowadays the site is a working farm, but there's a public road off the B6461 which cuts right across the crumbling runway upon which Clark would land his private plane at the height of his success.