Rally - MullMurmurs

Thirty one years ago saw the publication of the first ‘MullMurmurs’ bulletins, a service which continued until 2010 when the internet and social media overtook the printed word as the mass means of communication.

The trial run of this service started on the 1993 Philips Tour of Mull Rally but it was only ‘semi-officially’ sanctioned, there were some on the organising committee who were a mite disapproving! Although it got off to a faltering start it was well received by competitors, the fans and the local populace, and a much more improved service ran in 1994 and carried on for the next 17 years.

Information was gathered during the rally, typed up on stencils which were then used to run off hundreds of copies on a hand cranked duplicator machine. It was similar to the bulletin service run by the Pattersons on Irish events and on the annual Lombard RAC GB Rally but rather than stick to plain facts, the ‘Murmurs’ included gossip, scandal scuttlebutt, local folklore, fairy tales and occasional flights of fancy. Whenever the flow of factual information flagged, there was left room for other stories which would never be allowed to reach the more formal news outlets and publications.

Even though mobile phones had been invented there were far too many ‘dead’ spots on the island for coverage to be guaranteed hence the need for some form of information service for the hundreds of fans and followers who descended on the island each year. As such the bulletins played a vital role in relaying results and information, in what was hoped was also an entertaining manner. However the sheer nature of this unique event lent itself to such a service and it continued although never actually with full ‘official’ blessing.

Apparently no one individual, club or organisation had ever managed to keep a complete set of 18 years worth of bulletins – apart from the chap who wrote them – one Jaggy Bunnet Esq! Late last year he was prevailed upon to collate them and publish them.

The result is an A5 paperback book called ‘Murmurs on Mull’ which contains ALL of the published bulletins plus a bit of background. The book has been on sale now for a few months but for those who might yet wish to purchase a copy, there is a plan afoot for Jaggy Bunnet’s mobile ‘book-tique’ to visit Ledaig Car Park in Tobermory on Friday 11th of October from which copies can be purchased. Look for the red Transit van! Depending on ferries it is hoped to set up shop around 9.00 am-ish or earlier depending on the queues. More information will be published here as and when confirmed.

By the way, the 1993 event was won by Neil MacKinnon and Mike Stayte in a Ford Escort Cosworth while the MG Metro 6R4 of John Price and Jim Kitson was 6th.

If all else fails, copies are still available on-line at:

https://fife-motor-sports-agency.square.site/