Windshiel, Cartshed

Explorer Tom Jim Clark Motorsport Museum in Duns celebrates a driver who could make a racing car look as if it had agreed to behave just for him. The cars are silent here, which may be the only time Clark ever left one without the rest of the field worrying what he would do next. Clark grew up with farming in the Scottish Borders and went on to win the Formula One world championship in 1963 and 1965, as well as the Indianapolis 500 in 1965. The museum follows both parts of that life. Its displays include race cars, suits, a blue-and-white helmet, photographs and film, with interactive material to help visitors understand the races rather than merely count trophies. The collection began with trophies his parents gave for public display after his death in 1968. The current museum opened in 2019. Its trust describes a trophy collection of more than one hundred items and changing car displays, so check the current exhibition rather than assuming a particular vehicle is always in the room. That matters with racing machinery: cars travel, are restored and return, rather like demanding guests with rather expensive shoes. The trust lists the museum at 44 Newtown Street in Duns. Its current visitor information says it opens in its season every day except Wednesday, with hours that change between March, April to October and November; check dates before travelling. It advertises free on-street parking, disabled access, toilets and a shop. Take time with the films as well as the cars. The engines can wait; Clark's quiet life off the track is part of why the speed still means something.