Foot to the Floors as Jim Clark Rally unveils 2027 route
Last updated 28th Sep 2026
The Jim Clark Rally is set for one of its biggest route changes in years in 2027, with Floors Castle providing the spectacular backdrop for the opening stage.
All pre-event formalities will remain in Duns, including Friday morning’s shakedown.
But after the traditional ceremonial start in the town’s Square on Friday, May 28th, competitors in the closed roads event will head for Kelso, where a brand-new stage will launch the competitive action.
The stage will take competitors through the castle grounds before joining closed public roads to the west, while a purpose-built grandstand will provide spectators with spectacular views of the action.
Floors Castle will be followed by revamped stages at Roxburgh and, for the first time Crailing, before crews return to Duns and tackle the entire route again in darkness.
The result will be 56 competitive stage miles on Friday alone, setting up one of the toughest opening legs in the rally's history.
Saturday will see the Jim Clark Rally return to classic Borders stages including Polwarth, Blackadder and Eccles, adding another 58 competitive miles.
That will take the total to more than 115 stage miles, making the 2027 event the longest Jim Clark Rally route in more than a decade.
“We have had a format and route which has been hugely successful, but we also want the Jim Clark Rally to remain innovative and continue to evolve,” organising committee chairman Dan Wright said.
“Bringing the rally back into the Kelso area on Friday night is a hugely exciting development. The people of Kelso have been wanting to see the rally return to the area for quite some time, so we are delighted that this year’s route allows us to do that in such a spectacular way.
“Floors Castle gives us an incredible backdrop for the opening stage and, thanks to the generosity of the estate and the Duke of Roxburghe we have been able to create something genuinely different for competitors and spectators.”
A short holding control at Kelso High School will welcome crews before three completely new-look stages form the opening leg.
With free access to visit the castle grounds, it’s been announced all proceeds from the parking charge to the stage will be donated to charity.
“The fact that spectators will be able to enjoy the stage at Floors Castle free of charge is fantastic,” Dan continued. “And we hope it will provide a real focal point for fans on Friday afternoon.
“Then we have Roxburgh and Crailing, both of which offer fantastic closed-road rallying, before the crews come back to Duns and tackle the whole thing again in darkness. Fifty-six competitive miles on Friday night is going to be a serious challenge!”
The changes do not stop there, however, with the Reivers Rally – also sponsored by Borders Competitions - receiving a major route overhaul.
Bothwell and Abbey St Bathans will form part of the Sunday route, bringing the classic Borders stages to a new generation of Reivers competitors, while the addition of Manderston adds another new dimension to the one-day challenge.
Around 58 competitive stage miles will be on offer, creating a compact but hugely challenging Sunday blast before the crews return to Duns Square for the event’s traditional finish celebrations.
Dan said: “We wanted to give the Reivers crews the opportunity to experience some of the stages that have traditionally formed part of the Jim Clark Friday night route, including Bothwell and Abbey St Bathans.
“It gives the Sunday event its own identity while offering competitors some fantastic roads.
“Ultimately, we want the rally to be exciting for crews and fans alike. There is a huge amount for everyone to look forward to, and with the increased mileage, new stages and new locations, we hope to attract another sensational entry to the Scottish Borders.
“Fan zones will again be a major focus for us, giving spectators safe and spectacular opportunities to watch the action throughout the weekend.”
For more stories from the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, bookmark our home page - https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/