WRC to return to UK in 2027 with Rally Scotland event
After an absence of eight years, the World Rally Championship (WRC) will return to the UK with the new Rally Scotland event in 2027.
Rally Scotland has agreed an initial three-year deal and will be the first WRC race to take place on UK shores since the Wales Rally GB event in 2019. Scotland last hosted a full stage in 1992, while the 1995 RAC Rally saw part of the Borders used.
The country has a strong connection to the premium rallying championship, with motorsport legend Colin McRae, alongside co-driver Derek Ringer, becoming the first Brit to win the WRC during the final fixture in Wales.
Further Scottish success came in the form of Robert Reid, who was the co-driver of England’s Richard Burns, as they won the title in 2001.
Goverment support and a boost to the Scottish economy
The event has been developed in partnership with Motorsport UK, as well as funding support from the Scottish Government, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council. Reports suggest it could be worth as much as £80 million to the local economy.
Expect picturesque surroundings from the gravel-based stages, which will run across Aberdeenshire and Moray, with rally headquarters and service park facilities located at the P&J Live complex in Aberdeen.
The FIA will work with Motorsport UK and organisers on a Candidate Event to be held later this year, ahead of its formal approval on the WRC calendar. The event is set to be allocated an autumn slot on the WRC, which currently holds 14 fixtures in its 2026 calendar.
“The United Kingdom has incredible heritage and passion for our sport”
FIA Deputy President for Sport, Malcolm Wilson, said: “This is a huge announcement for the FIA World Rally Championship, it really demonstrates the positive direction we are now taking. The United Kingdom has incredible heritage and passion for our sport, and the return of a flagship world championship event in Scotland is the start of the next chapter in this long history.”
The current 2026 WRC calendar
credit: WRC
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Red Bull Content Pool