The Rest and Be Thankful in Argyll may be more often in the news for landslides than its racing heritage but now plans for a tourist centre at the spot has been given the support of Sir Jackie.

He competed on the hill in his youth in famed competitions were run by the Royal Scottish Automobile Club and the route on the old military road was renowned for its 400ft gradient and hairpin bends.

Douglas Anderson, who brought back the Monte Carlo Classic Rally to Scotland in 2011, wants to create shops, a cafe and arts spaces in a striking glass-fronted building which will also celebrate the road’s link to Scotland’s rich motoring history.

Sir Jackie Stewart, who last raced the 1,400 yard course in 1961, believes Scotland is missing such a landmark.

He said: “It would be a tourist attraction to have such a facility as is being proposed and it would provide an opportunity to bolster Scotland’s great motor racing heritage and successes around the world which have been going on for a very long time.”