Rally of Scotland – Photos copyright Roy Dempster

2009%20Rally%20Scotland%20 %201st%20overall%20Kris%20Meeke%20(5) Rally of Scotland Photos copyright Roy Dempster

2009 Rally Scotland - 1st overall Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle. Photo: Roy Dempster (www.roydempster.com)

Photographs by Roy Dempster from the hugely successful first running of the 2009 IRC Rally Scotland.

Clerk of the Course Iain Campbell commented: "The crowds have been huge, passionate and a credit to the sport," he said. "To have heard the response of the drivers – with Kris Meeke saying that Loch Ard is the best stage in the world and others comparing us with such a classic event as Finland – is inspiring.

"I hope we've repaid the faith shown in us through the support of the authorities in Perth and Stirling, from the First Minister and all the people of Scotland," he continued.

"But most important of all I think the event is a credit to the army of volunteers and marshals who have been out in all weathers to ensure that the pre-event test, the recce and the event itself has run faultlessly – and that they have all come back in smiling," Campbell said. "We couldn't ask for more."

The Scottish government participated in giving the rally all the support it needed to become this year's final round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge season, the series' first visit to Britain.

"We think this event is a great investment over three years that we can build up," Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said. "We've got a fantastic rally tradition and we know it well, and have a tremendous record.

"We have fantastic scenery to display to the world through the media and for all those reasons we are delighted to sponsor the rally."

Rally of Scotland Photos copyright Roy Dempster