People waved from windows and took photos as 37 tractors took to country roads in East Lothian last Saturday for East Lothian Ploughing Association’s inaugural charity tractor run.
The charity run raised £1,000, which will be split between the group’s 40th anniversary ploughing match in November and My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
The tractors followed a 40-mile route from Peastonbank Farm, in Pencaitland, through Humbie, Longyester, Carfrae, Gifford and West Saltoun along quiet country roads.
Craig Macdonald, chair of East Lothian Ploughing Association, said: “What a fantastic day we had for our first ever tractor road run.
“Thirty-seven tractors took part, covering 40 miles of our East Lothian route.
“Thank you to everyone who supported us.”
Margaret Macdonald, Craig’s wife and a member of the association, said the event was a great success.
She told the Courier: “We were so happy with how it turned out, with so many people coming by to watch, take part and make donations.
“Some people came from as far as Fife just to watch, which was fantastic.
“We had some big tractors taking part and it was all done along very quiet roads so as not to disturb traffic too much.
“We had a lot of people saying they wished we’d have been able to make the route more central but we had to get police clearance for the route and weren’t allowed to have them go through Haddington High Street.
“Thankfully, the route was smooth and there were no incidents with traffic along the way.
“Most cars just pulled in to the side to watch as we went by.
“It was a 40-mile route, with one mile for every year the association has existed.
“The amount of people stopping to take pictures and waving from houses was incredible.”
Margaret was delighted to raise money for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
She said: “Doddie was a farmer as well as a rugby player so to raise money for his charity was special for us, given we are in the industry.
“We’ve contacted the charity and they are delighted with the donation.”
Margaret also hoped the run could be made an annual event.
She said: “There’s nothing like it here in East Lothian so it would be good to introduce.
“The £500 raised for our November tournament will be helpful, too.
“We’re celebrating 40 years so we want to film this year’s event so it can be saved and this money will help us do that.”
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